Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall warned everybody the NCAA selection committee under-seeded.
The 11th-seeded Shockers stated that case strongly with a 65-55 win over No. 6 Arizona on Thursday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Wichita State’s defense rattled Arizona from start to finish and the Wildcats looked largely unprepared to deal with a team willing to dive on the floor, swarm big men and take charges.
Wichita State (26-8) advances to play third-seeded Miami (26-7) on Saturday in the second round. The winner advances to the Sweet 16 and will play next Thursday in Louisville, Ky.
The Shockers held the Wildcats to their lowest total of the season by forcing turnovers, disrupting Arizona’s offense and holding up to repeated attempts to overwhelm with height.