SMU vs. Wichita State: College basketball preview, prediction, TV schedule
The Wichita State Shockers are on the hunt for revenge as they travel to Moody Coliseum for a road game at the SMU Mustangs.
TV Schedule: Saturday, February 24, 2:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Location: Moody Coliseum, Dallas, Texas
Saddled with national championship expectations during their first season in the AAC, the Wichita State Shockers entered a home game against the SMU Mustangs with a sterling conference record last month.
They left with their first AAC loss ever.
Wichita State showed further flaws since, but has still maintained their status as one of the league’s best teams. At 12-3, they’re just a half game behind Cincinnati in the conference standings.
They ride a five-game winning streak into Saturday’s contest at Moody Coliseum. Wichita State’s offense is clicking on all levels, putting up at least 93 points in three of those victories. The four-point win at Cincinnati serves as the signature victory of the season.
It still feels as if the Shockers have something to prove, though. AP voters ranked them No. 13 in the country this week, but expectations were high for the team at the start. There’s still a cry for them to run through AAC opponents, despite the learning curve coming from the Missouri Valley.
This is an opportune time for them to face SMU, though. The Mustangs are reeling, losing in five of their last six games, including a game at Central Florida where they scored a paltry 37 points. Jarrey Foster’s season-ending injury sunk this team, who began the year with NCAA Tournament ambitions.
An NIT bid might even be pushing it at this point.
Earlier in the season, it took a career-high 33 points from Shake Milton for SMU to pull off the Shockers upset. He shot 11-for-14 from the floor, including 5-for-6 from three-point range.
The star guard hasn’t played in three weeks due to a hand injury.
He’s not coming back to save the Mustangs here.
Prediction: Wichita State 80, SMU 71