To understand how Wichita State toppled second-seeded Kansas and earned in-state bragging rights for many years to come, you only need to watch one sequence from Sunday's hotly anticipated NCAA tournament clash.
The Jayhawks already trailed by nine points midway through the second half when Wichita State freshman forward Zach Brown deflected a Frank Mason pass and tipped it into the frontcourt. All the urgency should have been with Kansas considering the deficit it already faced, yet Brown outraced Kelly Oubre to the ball, attacked the rim and threw down a two-handed transition slam.
No play better sums up why seventh-seeded Wichita State claimed a 78-65 victory over Kansas than that one did. The Shockers may not have the size and strength in the paint that the Jayhawks do or a roster full of former McDonald's All-Americans, but they played Sunday's game like the outcome mattered more to them.
Wichita State's victory was meaningful to its program for more reasons than merely just securing a spot in the Sweet 16 against third-seeded Notre Dame. It also served as some revenge against Kansas for refusing to consider scheduling the Shockers even as they've ascended from quality mid-major to budding national power.
Two years ago, ninth-seeded Wichita State stunned Gonzaga and Ohio State en route to one of the most improbable Final Four appearances in college basketball history. Last year, the Shockers validated that and then some by completing the regular season unbeaten before suffering their first loss against Kentucky in the NCAA tournament. This year, Wichita State has overcome the graduation of star Cleanthony Early to eclipse 30 games for the third straight year, win a regular season league title and reach the Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons.
Wichita State won Sunday by outplaying Kansas in virtually every facet of the game.
All five Shockers starters scored in double figures on Saturday, led by Tekele Cotton's 19 points and Fred VanVleet's 17. Guard Evan Wessell even played 6-foot-8 Perry Ellis to a virtual standstill despite giving up four inches and 30 pounds, using his quickness advantage to sink four threes.
Kansas got 17 points apiece from Ellis and Devonte Graham and 16 points from Frank Mason, but many of its other top players were no-shows. Ever-erratic Wayne Selden in particular went scoreless as Kansas shot only 35.2 percent from the field.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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