Shocker fans, Wichita State president Bardo enjoy win over Arizona

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall walked across the court at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, pointed at his wife, Lynn, then looked up at the small but mighty group of Shocker fans that made the trek halfway across the country.

He took it in for a second, basking in a 65-55 win over Arizona in the NCAA Tournament’s South Regional. He pointed at them and shouted, inaudible under their cheers.

Once again, Marshall has the Shockers on an NCAA roll — WSU faces Miami at 11:10 a.m. Saturday on CBS with a shot at its third Sweet 16 in four years on the line.

“Wasn’t it great?” WSU president John Bardo said. “To have so many Shocker fans, to have a team play so well and to really show the east coast what can happen in Wichita, Kansas.

“What you see with our players, they play the game clean they play it fair. They do their job … they do it on the court, they do it in the classroom and they do it in the community. These are the kind of kids you want to be leaders of tomorrow because of what they do and who they are.”

Small pockets of WSU fans dotted the arena as 11,559 packed into Providence College’s home gym — even some who made the trip from closer than Wichita.

“I grew up in Augusta, my wife grew up in Towanda and now we live in Brooklyn,” said WSU fan Shawn Rinkenbaugh, who was there with his wife, Ellie. “When I saw they were going to be this close, I said ‘We’re going,’

“I follow them all the time from where we live. Always been a fan.”

The victory means another game for WSU’s beloved trio of seniors — Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker and Wichita native Evan Wessel. With the victory, the three upped their combined win total to a staggering 336 wins.

And Shocker fans get another two days in an idyllic setting.

“What a beautiful place,” Bardo said. “My wife and I lived out here for five years. I couldn’t think of a better setting to come and play some basketball games.”

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 10:38 AM with the headline "Shocker fans, Wichita State president Bardo enjoy win over Arizona."