Who Can Go Farther WSU, SLU or CU?

(St. Louis, MO) – Which Midwest team from a non “money league” will make the deepest run in the NCAA Tournament? Is it the Missouri Valley’s Wichita State? How about the Atlantic 10’s Saint Louis University. Or is it former MVC member Creighton?

Let’s break it down!

Following their Final Four appearance, Wichita State is one of two undefeated teams in college basketball and have handled several ‘money schools’ with no problem. Their balance, athleticism and defense are as good as any team in the country.

Saint Louis U has the third longest current win streak in the country and they defend like rabid dogs. They are a veteran team with size, three point shooting and depth.

Creigton has star power in All-American Dough McDermott and a veteran group surrounding him.  They shoot the three as well as anyone in the nation and are more athletic than people think.

But who can advance deep into March’s marathon?

Clearly the Shockers have the history, experience and team toughness to go deep. After last year’s run to Atlanta, some people believe they are a better team this year. Cleanthony Early is a lethal weapon who can score on anyone. Point guard Fred Van Vleet is their ‘Swiss-Army-Knife’ scoring, rebounding and handing out dimes. At times guard Ron Baker takes over games with his shooting, but Tekele Cotton may be their most important player.

Cotton is the link to Shocker teams of the past. He’s a lock down defender, a highlight reel dunker and is the embodiment of Shocker pride.

Defense and physicality is what the Shockers bank on. Head Coach Gregg Marshall recruits tough-minded players and continually motivates them to fight for all 94 feet of the court. If Southern Illinois Carbondale was ‘Floor Burn U’ then WSU is “College of Crash” as in crashing the boards. There no easy rebounds for teams who play Wichita State.

SLU resembles Wichita State on the defensive end.  The Billikens allow the seventh fewest points of any team in he country (WSU is 10^th). Head Coach Jim Crews grew up under Bobby Knight and preaches patience and patterns on offense and precision and packing it in on D. They are in the top 20 in defensive field goal percentage and are undefeated this year except for a neutral court loss to Wisconsin and a home defeat to Wichita State.

Dwayne Evans is one of the best kept secrets in college hoops. Evans rebounds, scores and leads by example. His side-kick Jordair Jett is Cotton-like. He is the passionate leader and budding icon.

When you think of Creighton University, you think of McDermott and you think of skill and finesse. ‘Dougie Fresh’ is re-writing the record book in Omaha and is the second leading scorer in college hoops. He and his CU teammates are the most efficient team in the coutry with an assist-turnover ratio of 1.77 and they are a top ten team in shooting percentage and top 20 in free-throw percentage and they make more three point baskets than anyone in the country.

So who can advance?

Defense and rebounding never take a rest and Crieghton has shown the ability to flame out in the post season, so I’ve eliminated the highly rated Blue Jays. BTW, they became the “Blue Jays” this year after decades of being “Bluejays” I guess the Big East didn’t like the old name.

Both SLU and Wichita have legitimate shots at second and third weekend aspirations of the tournament. Neither the Shockers nor the Billikens are overly big inside, but they’ve battled bigger teams all year long and have succeeded. Both teams are tenacious rebounders.

When the tournament launches in March, defense rules. These two defend as well as any team in the country and they do it with waves of different players. They are physical, relentless and don’t back down.

I spoke with Indiana State Head Coach Greg Lansing who has played and lost to both teams on their home floors. Before the Sycamores played SLU he told me they would be the best team they had played. Then, they played the Shockers.

After playing them both, Lansing told me he believes both teams are top ten teams. When comparing them both, Lansing gives Wichita the edge since the Shockers defeated SLU, but he believes both teams could defeat anyone in the country.

 

Lansing, whose team hosts the Shockers on Wednesday said that Saint Louis was actually more physical than Wichita State. SLU has won 14 straight and this week have moved to 13th in the AP Poll. Wichita State is ranked second in the USA Today/Coaches poll.

The latest RPI posted by CBS Sportsline finds Wichita State 7th, Creighton 8th and the Billikens are 27th.

So what do I believe? Since point guards rule in March, I give the edge to Wichita State. Fred Van Vleet is the difference in these two teams and I predict the Shockers will at least be a Sweet 16 team this year!

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