Wichita has won their last last 10 games by double-digits. They have not reached a close game since January. Kentucky will pressure the Shockers and try to get them to crack under the expectations. This is a David and Goliath matchup despite the No. 1 and No. 8 seed. Kentucky is the first major conference opponent Wichita has seen in awhile and their perfect record will be challenged.
The Wildcats got a solid win against the Kansas State Wildcats in a game that many had the team losing. Kentucky escaped a first-round after Randle and Harrison added 18 and 19 points respectively. Kentucky's win is just another turnaround game for the young squad. After a roller coaster regular season, the Wildcats turned things up during the SEC conference tournament, reaching the finals only to lose to Florida. They have carried the momentum into the NCAA tournament and so far things are working out. But can they be the team to end the pursuit of perfection for the Shockers?
Wichita got to the second round after dominating Cal Poly in a game that was not really a contest with the 64-37 score. Cleanthony Early dominated with 23 points. He lead the charge early, scoring 19 of those points in the first half alone. Meanwhile the Shockers defense followed suit, holding Cal Poly to just 21 percent shooting in the first half while they only managed 13 points. Fred VanVleet continued his excellent backcourt play which could create some headaches for the young Kentucky defense.
Kentucky and Wichita are built very differently. The Wildcats have high expectations. The team has eight national championships. They are the winningest program and head coach John Calipari knows how to stock a roster filled with the nation's best prospects. With five freshman starters, most are projected to head straight to the NBA. Julius Randle and Aaron Harrison are just two players leading the way for Kentucky. Meanwhile, the Shockers are blue collar players with plenty of experience. Head coach Gregg Marshall simply laughs saying it is likely none of his players were given offers from Kentucky, but they do what works best for them.
Kentucky has a roster filled with McDonald's All-Americans and No. 1 recruits. Wichita State has a roster filled with small-town kids who were likely overlooked by other schools. However, the Shockers are the team on the pursuit of perfection after earning the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and the Wildcats are simply the next team in their way.
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