The 8 games on the schedule that could help Wichita State basketball return to NCAA’s
With the start of the 2021-22 season coming on Tuesday for the Wichita State men’s basketball team when it hosts Jacksonville State at 7 p.m. at Koch Arena, the Eagle has identified eight games on WSU’s schedule that could help the Shockers return to the NCAA Tournament.
Arizona at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas (Friday, Nov. 19)
This game will be the first significant opponent of the season for both teams, which is why it’s so important for WSU to make a strong early-season impression. A neutral court win over Arizona could count as an invaluable Quadrant 1 victory for the Shockers, not to mention that it would likely unlock a shot at a top-10 Michigan team in the championship game in Vegas for a low-risk, high-reward game for WSU. Arizona figures to be in the mix at the top of the Pac-12 this season, but the Wildcats had their share of turnover in the offseason and will be transitioning to first-year coach Tommy Lloyd.
At Missouri (Friday, Nov. 26)
The first true road game of the season for the Shockers offers an excellent opportunity to score a road win over a power-conference opponent. Following an offseason where Missouri lost four starters and its top four scorers, this season figures to be a rebuilding one for the Tigers. Missouri has always been a scrappy defensive team under Cuonzo Martin, but the team’s offense could be a problem this season — especially early in the season. It’s unlikely Missouri will finish in the top-75 of the NET, so even though this game will likely settle as a Quadrant 2 for WSU, the Shockers could start to build their resume in November with a notable win over an SEC foe.
At Oklahoma State (Wednesday, Dec. 1)
Coming just five days after the Missouri road trip, Wichita State has a chance to build some serious momentum if it can grab back-to-back wins on the road against power-conference teams. Oklahoma State was recently hit with a postseason ban by the NCAA, shocking coach Mike Boynton. How will that affect the Cowboys early this season? That remains to be seen, but Oklahoma State has some serious talent on its roster this season and figures to be a fringe top-25 team. Cade Cunningham may be gone, but Oklahoma State returns almost everyone else and adds a handful of instant-impact transfers like Bryce Thompson (Kansas), Moussa Cisse (Memphis) and Tyreek Smith (Texas Tech). Winning at Gallagher-Iba will be a huge challenge, even if WSU has scored double-digit wins there in 2017 and 2019, but the Shockers could pick up a nice Quadrant 1 win to start December.
Kansas State at Intrust Bank Arena (Sunday, Dec. 5)
Wrapping up the most important nine-day stretch of the non-conference slate, WSU has what is basically a must-win game at the downtown arena against the Wildcats. If WSU can finish 2-1 during this three-game stretch against Missouri, Oklahoma State and Kansas State, then it should feel good about the work its done in the non-conference — barring any losses at Koch Arena. K-State seemed to figure out its defense towards the end of last season, but still figures to be in rebuilding mode near the bottom of the Big 12 this season. In renewing the in-state rivalry for the first time since 2003, WSU can’t afford to lose this one because it will count as a home loss on its team sheet and likely fall to a Quadrant 3 loss if K-State can’t finish in the top-75 of the NET.
Memphis (Saturday, Jan. 1)
Want to make a national statement? The Shockers should have the platform on New Years Day in a nationally-televised 11 a.m. game at Koch Arena against the much-hyped Tigers. There’s no question Penny Hardaway has collected the most talent of any team in the AAC, but Memphis has yet to deliver on its tantalizing promise since Hardaway has been the coach. With a strong non-conference, Memphis could enter the game with a top-10 national ranking and with CBS giving it a national audience, WSU should have a chance to earn the marquee win of the season. It should be noted Hardaway has had plenty of success against WSU, winning four of the last five games. But the Shockers always play better at Koch Arena and won the last meeting between the two there, a 76-67 win on Jan. 9, 2020. Obviously winning at Memphis near the end of the season (February 27) would be better on paper, but there’s no game WSU fans will be excited for more than when the Tigers come to Koch Arena.
At SMU (Sunday, Jan. 23)
Many consider Memphis and Houston as near locks to reach the NCAA Tournament and the AAC figures to be strong enough to send at least a third team dancing. WSU and SMU both appear to be capable of finishing in the top three, making their games this season all the more important. If WSU can hold serve at home against the Mustangs on February 5, it would be a nice boost. But if the Shockers can pick up a road win at SMU near the end of January, then not only would WSU score a possible Quadrant 1 win but also separate itself from the pack in the AAC. Kendric Davis, a potential Player of the Year candidate, is back for SMU, which added a wealth of instant-impact transfers. If the Mustangs can blend well, then they figure to be among the top teams in the AAC.
At Central Florida (Tuesday, Feb. 8)
Much like the game at SMU, this one gives WSU a chance to establish itself in a different tier than SMU and UCF — two teams that many national analysts believe are sleeper teams in the American. With almost all of its rotation back from last season, plus adding transfer Cheikh Mbacke Diong (UNLV), UCF is a trendy pick to push for an NCAA Tournament bid this season. Since joining the AAC for the 2017-18 season, WSU has won all five games against UCF. If the Shockers can continue that trend, they should pocket two nice victories for their resume.
Houston (Sunday, Feb. 20)
Much like last season, WSU very well could find itself on the bubble entering the end of February with a ranked Houston team coming to Koch Arena. And much like last season, a win over the Cougars at home could be the missing piece to push WSU to the right side of the bubble. Houston isn’t likely to be top-10 caliber like last season, but it still should a top-25 team that would count as a Quadrant 1 win at home. The Shockers will have a chance to nab a win at Houston on January 8, but they are 0-4 at Houston since joining the conference and haven’t been there since 1960. Winning at home is much more realistic and given the timing on the schedule could give WSU a late-season boost to either improve its seeding or its position on the bubble.
Wichita State men’s basketball 2021-22 schedule
Tuesday, November 9 — vs. Jacksonville State, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Saturday, November 13 — vs. South Alabama, 3 p.m. (ESPN+)
Tuesday, November 16 — vs. Tarleton State, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Friday, November 19 — vs. Arizona in Las Vegas*, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
Sunday, November 21 — vs. Michigan or UNLV in Las Vegas*, 8:30 or 11 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
Friday, November 26 — at Missouri, 8 p.m. (TBD)
Wednesday, December 1 — at Oklahoma State, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sunday, December 5 — vs. Kansas State at Intrust Bank Arena, 5 p.m. (ESPNU)
Saturday, December 11 — vs. Norfolk State, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Tuesday, December 14 — vs. Alcorn State, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Saturday, December 18 — vs. North Texas, 3 p.m. (ESPN+)
Wednesday, December 22 — vs. Prairie View A&M, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Wednesday, December 29 — at East Carolina, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Saturday, January 1 — vs. Memphis, 11 a.m. (CBS)
Saturday, January 8 — at Houston, 11 a.m. (CBS)
Wednesday, January 12 — vs. Tulane, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sunday, January 16 — vs. Cincinnati, 12 p.m. (ESPN or ESPNU)
Wednesday, January 19 — at Temple, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sunday, January 23 — at SMU, 4 p.m. (ESPN2)
Wednesday, January 26 — vs. Central Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Saturday, January 29 — at Tulane, 11 a.m. (ESPNU)
Tuesday, February 1 — vs. Tulsa, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)
Saturday, February 5 — vs. SMU, 5 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Tuesday, February 8 — at Central Florida, 8 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Saturday, February 12 — vs. South Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Thursday, February 17 — at Cincinnati, 6 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
Sunday, February 20 — vs. Houston, 12 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, February 27 — at Memphis, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday, March 2 — at Tulsa, 8 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Saturday, March 5 — vs. East Carolina, 2 p.m. (ESPNU)
Thursday-Sunday, March 10-13 — AAC tournament in Fort Worth^ (TBD)
*Roman Main Event at T-Mobile Arena
^AAC tournament at Dickies Arena
This story was originally published November 7, 2021 at 2:30 PM.
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