Wichita State’s progress as a basketball program is such that factors formerly reviled now work in favor of the Shockers.
The “eye test” isn’t just for the power conferences. If the Shockers are in the NCAA Tournament, it will represent a triumph of on-court skill and toughness over strength of schedule, quality wins and RPI.
The committee isn’t supposed to consider reputation or past performance. Without the 2013 Final Four, the No. 1 seed in 2014 and last season’s Sweet 16, Wichita State might not be in the conversation.
The name on the jersey works pretty well for the Shockers in 2016, a reflection of their frequency and manner of victory in recent seasons, even if that’s not supposed to count this March.