CHUCK O'BRIEN COMP
Wichita State is one the nation's hottest teams right now, and even though Davidson has 'been there-done that,' I love what coach Gregg Marshall is doing right now with the Shockers and will take a look at them as my Bonus Play today.
The Shockers beat No. 11 UNLV by 19 earlier this season, and also defeated Creighton by 21 last Saturday. I do know the Wildcats have a road win against No. 4 Kansas in Kansas City, Mo., but overall this isn't about the non-conference wins to me right now. This is more about which team has had a bit more of a trying conference schedule, and I'd have to say that's been Wichita State.
I mean, let's face it, the Wildcats are in off an 82-54 rout of Samford while the Shockers upended a respectable Missouri State team by a final of 73-58. The Missouri Valley Conference, albeit still a mid-major league, is bigger and better than the SoCon.
Wichita State has outscored opponents 78-63 this season and has been a consistent and dependable model of near-perfection from all comers of the court. And what's great about this team is it has the ability to shoot it out in an uptempo game, or D it up and play tight against physical teams. Against Missouri State Wednesday, the Shockers nailed 59.5 percent of their shots, including 11-of-19 from long-range.
Davidson has been the team with the reputation of a team that can put the ball in the basket, as it averages 79 points on 45 percent shooting. The difference in this game is the Wildcats aren't going to find it as easy to outdistance their foe. They're used to giving up points, but generally it has been a non issue with big leads, as eleven conference games have been decided by more than double digits. Wichita, however, doesn't give up big leads; it paces games.
I personally believe the Shockers are much more balanced with their ability to play defense, which Davidson doesn't have.
And while the Wildcats are mired in ATS slides of 9-22 ATS on Saturdays and 1-5 in their last six non-conference games, the Shockers are in on ATS streaks of 4-1 five games winning teams, 5-2 after an ATS win and 7-3 after a straight-up win.
Play the Shockers.
1? WICHITA STATE