Wichita State sets record, some “experts” remain skeptical

Feb 22, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers head coach Gregg Marshall celebrates after cutting off part of the net following an 83-54 win against the Drake Bulldogs at Charles Koch Arena. The win gave the Shockers the Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

The Wichita State Shockers beat Bradley last evening, 69-49. The win gives Wichita State their 30th straight of the regular season. Which must be a record or something because it is.

This is good news for the Shockers as they are attempting to get the number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. With that being said, though, not everyone is convinced that they deserve that sort of spot. Which is baffling, but not. More of a two-folded type of thing.

Not only is Wichita State undefeated, but they are also coming off a year in which they made it to the Final Four. Now, we aren’t suppose to acknowledge last season’s accomplishments while projecting seeding, but it is hard to ignore the fact that the Shockers’ postseason success of last year has been parlayed into a record-setting 2013-14 regular season.

However, arguments are being made against Wichita State. No one wants to hear them because it’s not nice to pick on mid-majors, but it is what it is.

The Shockers have not played as tough a schedule as a team like Florida. The strength of schedule alone could be used as a reason as to why a team like Florida should get the spot over Wichita State,  but at the same time Florida has losses and the Shockers have none.

It is also worth pointing out that while Florida’s SOS is stronger than Wichita State’s, it’s only at 31 (according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi) while Wichita State’s is 115. If we are putting that much weight to the SOS, does that mean a six loss Kansas team should be a number one seed because they have played the toughest schedule?

While getting the number one overall seed would be all sorts of swell for Gregg Marshall and his band of (still, somehow) underrated talent, it’s not the most important thing. Match-ups, which region (location!), and things of that nature might actually be more important. Although, having a true mid-major being the tippy-top seed would be neat.

The thing that people need to know about college basketball is that it is not college football. Mid-majors (or even smaller than mid-majors) are always in the mix. This isn’t like a program from the MAC going undefeated and looking to make the BCS Title game (which doesn’t even exist anymore). Basketball is just a different game and programs of Wichita State’s size have long been major players in the NCAA Tournament and as programs of relevance as a whole.

Experts certainly have the right to use the schedule as a means to put the Shockers down. However, the scheduling alone shouldn’t make Wichita State ineligible to be the number one overall seed. As much as people want to crush who they have played, which is fair, the Shockers have done well when they faced teams of merit.

The schedule thing, while true at the foundation, is a little misleading.  Wichita State is 2-0 against Top 50 teams and  6-0 v Top 100 teams. So as we have already stated, sure they haven’t played a ton of noteworthy schools, but when the Shockers have they have won. Plus, their win against St. Louis is a really, really good win. Apparently it’s not as good a win as it would be if St. Louis’ name were Iowa State (or the like), but that’s because people who only casually follow college basketball can’t comprehend that St. Louis is the goods as well.

So, let’s do a quick recap.

Wichita State is undefeated. They are coming off a Final Four run from last season. They have beaten six top 100 teams. The Shockers beat a very good, highly regarded St. Louis team. But somehow, magically I suppose, we are supposed to put them down because some “experts” are uncomfortable with he idea of a mid-major being the number one overall seed.

Or something…