After Wichita State lost to Illinois State, coach Gregg Marshall wrote “NIT” on the dry erase board in the Koch Arena film room.
No explanation needed.
“We don’t want to settle for the NIT, or anything but the NCAA Tournament,” WSU sophomore Rashard Kelly said. “We’ve got to keep our mind focused on what we want to do and what we want to do for the city of Wichita.”
Since then, the situation worsened. Guard Ron Baker’s absence from Sunday’s practice due to illness adds to the mood before Monday’s game against New Mexico State (18-8).