At 34-0, the Wichita State Shockers are the only undefeated team in the country. Yet the lack of credible opponents have made many observers doubt whether this team can go all the way in the NCAA tournament.
Dominating the Missouri Valley Conference, the Shockers recently stretched their amazing streak after beating Indiana State, 83-69, last week. Conference Player of the Year, guard Fred VanVleet, then reminded doubters that they are the only unblemished team in the country.
"You can debate what you want to debate. Facts are facts, truth is truth. We're not into debating how good or great we are or how bad somebody else," he told The Associated Press via Boston Herald.
"That's for barber shop talk and coffee table arguments. We're not into that stuff. If they feel that way, it's on them. And nobody that's arguing about it is on the selection committee."
True to be told, the Shockers have some bragging rights this year. They are the only team since the 1991 UNLV Running Rebels to enter the NCAA tournament without a loss.
While there are doubters, there are also some basketball observers who feel that this team has what it takes to go all the way. Dick Jerardi of the Philadelphia Daily News narrates the strengths of the squad: " The Shockers run a beautiful halfcourt offense, with an old-school emphasis of getting the ball to the post. They have a very deep frontcourt with interchangeable parts. They defend with a purpose on every possession. They have stars in senior Cleanthony Early in the frontcourt and the sophomore backcourt of Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet. Give me one point guard in America and I will take VanVleet, who has a rare feel for what it takes to maximize every possession. And they have Final Four experience."
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