Shocker Highlights: An Undefeated Season
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Check out Carla Eckels' candid look at the Shocker Men's Basketball team.
Wichita State-76 Vs. Kentucky-78
The Wichita State Men’s Basketball team went into last night’s matchup with a perfect, 35 and 0 season. Then they met the Kentucky Wildcats in round three of the NCAA tournament. In a thrilling game, which included a total of 14 lead changes, the Shockers lost 76-78 in the final seconds.
With the sound of that buzzer, the perfect season of the Wichita State Men’s Basketball team came to an end.
The game is no doubt an instant classic, but for the players on the losing side of the court, it means a heart-breaking end to a record-breaking season. Head Coach Gregg Marshall reflects on what his team has done over the last four and a half months.
“It’s been such a fun, enjoyable season," Marshall says. "I mean it’s literally been the magic carpet ride I mentioned a week or so ago. And to have it end, is something, gonna have to get used to.”
Cleanthony Early, a senior forward, dropped an eye-opening 31 points in his final game wearing the black and gold. He spent two seasons as a Shocker and is expected to be drafted into the NBA next season.
As far as the Shockers’ future, coach Gregg Marshall said the team will have about a week off, and then it’s time to prepare for next season’s run.
Post Game:
Game:
Pre-Game
Wichita State-64 Vs. Cal Poly-37 Final
The Wichita State Men’s basketball team’s record-breaking season continued on Friday night in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Their 64 to 37 win over Cal Poly pushes them ahead to defend their unprecedented 35 and 0 record in a single season
Forget what anyone has said about whether The Shockers deserve that number 1 seed – they put an exclamation mark behind their record setting night in St. Louis, keeping their opponent under 40 points, and winning by the largest margin of victory in the team’s NCAA tournament history.
Senior Forward Cleanthony Early, top scorer with 23 points, says that despite the big win, he never gets ahead of himself.
“I just feel like these games could potentially be your last and I try to go out and play as hard as possible because I do want to win. I do want to give my all for my teammates," Early says.
The Shocker’s will try for 36 and 0 against the Kentucky Wildcats.
Pep Rally:
The still-undefeated Wichita State Men’s Basketball team has made their way to St. Louis for its first matchup of the NCAA tournament. The Shockers are the number one seed in the Midwest bracket and will face Cal Poly, a number 16 seed, Friday at 6:10pm.
In a calm-before-the-storm kind of day, the Shockers and their coach made the media rounds on Thursday afternoon. The team then took to the court for a few simple drills – a last run-through before the continuation of an already record-breaking season. The team is currently 34 and 0, but to head coach Gregg Marshall, all of that is in the rearview mirror.
“We’re zero and zero in this tournament, and now we need a six-game win streak to try and win the tournament. So, who remembers whether you’re runner up or get beat in the sweet sixteen? It doesn’t really matter, you didn’t win it.”
That six-game win streak will not come easy, big-name teams such as Louisville, Kansas State, Duke and Kentucky all join Wichita State in the Midwest bracket.
Shockers at practice:
Shockers at a press conference:
