The seeds are slightly different, but Kentucky and Wichita State have been right here before.
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The 10th-seeded Shockers (31-4) won their 16th in a row – the second-longest streak in school history – by clamping down on defense and swatting away shots down the stretch. This game was not as pretty as the Michigan-Oklahoma State shootout staged on the same floor earlier in the afternoon, but it had plenty of charm, two well-coached teams going back-and-forth until Wichita State took control late.
“I didn’t doubt we would react well in a tight game”, Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall said.
I’m not sure Kentucky has ever been dogged this much publicly under John Calipari, who absolutely has to be loving this.
Sunday’s second-round games should also pack the Fieldhouse with MI facing Louisville at 12:10 p.m., followed by Kentucky-Wichita State.
Kentucky guard Malik Monk (5) is chased by Northern Kentucky forward Carson Williams (23) and Northern Kentucky guard Dantez Walton (32) during the second half of a first-round game in the men’s NCAA college basketball tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 17, 2017. Wichita State juniors Daishon Smith and Zach Brown analyzed their transition and ball movement, and how they would slow them down.
“You’ve got the Nike Elite gear”. They’ll have to get through Dayton, a formidable mid-major on its own, to face Kentucky, but they’re now favored by more than six points. “That’s just us wanting it more than anybody else, all-out effort”.
“We got to come out with excitement and aggression and play as hard as we can because we have four seniors here that might not get to see tomorrow so we want to do the best we can”, said Scoochie Smith.
“I always feel like my stroke is down”, Monk said after Friday night’s win.
Instead, most of the players who participated in the 2014 classic are playing professionally now. I don’t know why they continually do it, but they do.
With all the fretting about inconsistent play and dependence on freshmen, Kentucky takes a 30-5 record into the game. “And I think that was anyone’s game for a good portion”.
Prediction: Wichita State will put up fight, but Kentucky will escape with the win.
“I think that’s probably going to be a little story – it’ll give them some momentum and added motivation”, Willis said.
“Our concern is us”, Briscoe said.
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The win ensures top seeds will remain ideal since the tournament expanded, with the schools now 132-0 against No. 16 seeds. “Hopefully next year we’re just going to be a better team”. I mean, they had to play at midnight too so it was just whoever brought the most energy.
