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5 Teams You Don’t Want To Face In The NCAA Tournament

By Nathan Giese

Jan 10, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) falls backward following an officials call against Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) falls backward following an officials call against Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 6, 2016; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers guard Evan Wessel (3) Evansville Aces guard Adam Wing (12) and Wichita State Shockers guard Fred VanVleet (23) battle under the boards at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary Rohman/MLS/USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2016; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers guard Evan Wessel (3) Evansville Aces guard Adam Wing (12) and Wichita State Shockers guard Fred VanVleet (23) battle under the boards at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary Rohman/MLS/USA TODAY Sports /

Wichita State Shockers

Remember when Wichita State lost three straight games in November, including a 23-point loss to Iowa? Of course you don’t. That was so two months ago, which is precisely the point of their inclusion in this list.

Yes, the season got off to a disasterous start for the Shockers and, much like the rest of the nation, it was a result of injuries. Fred VanVleet started the season hurt and eventually had to sit games out to get healthy. His backup, Landry Shamet, played well early but has only played in three games.

Anton Grady, the transfer big man from Cleveland State who was supposed to add another dimension to the team, also had to miss time after a scary fall in the Advocare Tournament in Orlando, Fla., where Wichita State went 0-3.

VanVleet and Grady have both returned to the lineup since then, resulting in the Shockers looking just as dominant as expected in the preseason. Since VanVleet’s return, Wichita State is 9-1 with an average margin of victory of 15.4.

Along with Ron Baker, VanVleet has been every bit as advertised in previous season but just delayed. Having five losses before conference play really hurt their chances of an at-large bid, so they will have to earn the autobid from the Missouri Valley conference tournament, but nobody in the conference (save Evansville) who can match Wichita State’s talent.

Add that fact with that of the Shockers being on edge right now because of how their season began and Wichita State is even more dangerous. A seventh seed in last year’s NCAA tournament, they’re likely to be an even lower seed, possibly as low as 10th (doubtful, but possible).

That puts them in position to face a top seed very early and ruin a title contender’s chances earlier than expected.

Now that their health is less of a question, Wichita State has a lot going for it and will be looking to make their mark once again.

Next: The Caped Crusaders