Bracket Projection: Wichita State

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email

The Wichita State Shockers, with four new starters, were supposed to be in rebuilding mode in 2012-13. But Gregg Marshall's bunch didn't get the memo. Instead, they won 18 of their first 20 games and were ranked in the top 20 in the AP poll. Marshall, a proven winner, takes a murder-by-numbers approach -- playing 10 different guys, switching defenses (including a deadly 2-2-1 full-court press) and sharing the scoring load. How far will the Shockers advance this March?

ESPN Insider has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of Bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel and best- and worst-case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams, in order to help you make smart picks in your bracket. Plus, as Lunardi fills out his bracket, he'll give you his prediction on how each team will fare.

Lunardi's Logic

The Shockers have already exceeded expectations by overcoming the loss of four starters from a 27-win team. No problem for coach Gregg Marshall, who re-tooled and won 26 more games. Missing from his Wichita State resume is an NCAA tournament win, as he had at Winthrop back in 2007. This is a 50/50 game against Pitt, but I like the Panthers in a tight one.

TOURNEY PROFILE

Best wins: at VCU, Creighton, at Air Force, Southern Miss

Worst losses: at Evansville, at Southern Illinois

To read the complete tournament guide preview for the Wichita State Shockers, whether they can pull an upset and gain access to all of ESPN Insider's NCAA tournament coverage, sign up today.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe