KU Predictions: Wichita State in Omaha

The day of reckoning has arrived.  For who? Well that’s what we won’t know until about 6:30pm.  And from the predictions of the group, it seems that we are mostly confident that this game will go well for us.

Tom Fehr: This one could be a game we remember for a long time. Hopefully in a positive way. WSU is damn good, and way too good to be a 7 seed, but I still think Kansas is a little bit better. I was thoroughly impressed with KU’s performance (especially Frank Mason and Bill Self) against New Mexico State, and I think KU keeps up the good play. Kansas 76, WSU 72

mikeville: I abstain.

mnorris817: I could try to break this one down with zero bias, but really that’s impossible. The match-up of point guards Fred VanVleet and Frank Mason III will be intriguing. I think VanVleet slightly outplays Mason, but KU dominates the paint in a victory. Kansas 73, WSU 66

fizzle406: I’ve got a bad feeling about this one. I see WSU coming out too amped up and falling behind at half. They will make it interesting in the second half and it could really go either way. Kansas 65, Wichita state 63

cstonehoops: I’m excited for this matchup. Wichita State is a very disciplined team that could cause Kansas problems. They turn teams over defensively and protect the ball on offense, which is a bad combination against the Jayhawks who can get a bit sloppy at times. Kansas, though, has the edge at a couple of key positions. Kelly Oubre is unlike any player on the Wichita State roster and the Shockers don’t have a great defender for Perry Ellis. I like the Jayhawks in a close one. Kansas 68, Wichita State 65.

KU Grad 08: I'm going to Omaha to watch this game in person. Sorry guys, that means there is no chance we win. Wichita State 71, Kansas 68

Jim Hammen: Since Selection Sunday, I’ve been dreading this matchup, and thinking that Wichita State would have the edge.  But I find myself pleasantly surprised with how we handled New Mexico State; that’s the first time in quite a while that we’ve looked solid from start to finish in a tournament game.  This one will be close, one of those games where neither team leads by more than 6-8 the whole way.  I think it’s going to go down to the buzzer, and KU squeaks by in the end-- hopefully shutting up the city of Wichita in the process.  Kansas 64, Wichita State 63.

misterbrain: I have to agree with Jim here that the way KU handled their business against New Mexico State really made me feel a lot better about this game. I have no illusions that Kansas will blow out Wichita State in this one, as there is no way that Ron Baker lets this happen, but the inside presence of the Jayhawks will be too much for the Shockers. Kansas 68, Wichita State 64

mikeville: Ok, Ok.  Look, by now everyone knows I think that this is a bad matchup for Kansas and that it doesn't have anything to do with the measurables.  That's fine.  I'll be glad to be wrong on this one.  Honestly, I see this playing out a lot like when we played Iowa State in Ames this year.  The Hawkeyes were so pumped, they came out and missed their first their first five shots while KU built an early 10-5 lead.  Then they calmed down, played their game, and eventually pulled away at the end.  That's almost exactly what I think will happen here. Wichita State 82, Kansas 77.