Missouri State Vs. Wichita State Preview And Live Stream Link: Shockers On ESPN For First Time This Year In Bid For Perfect Regular Season
By#2 Wichita State (30-0, 17-0) makes their first appearance this year on ESPN today at 2:00 pm EST. They've been on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3 (which is basically live stream), and CBS Sports, but never have they controlled the worldwide leader's primary channel.
Most of that is because the Shockers haven't played anyone interesting enough to supplant better matchups (at least on paper). Today's opponent, Missouri State (19-10, 9-8) is decent, but not much different than the rest of the MVC's collection of average basketball programs. For once, however, the matchup is irrelevant; only the result matters. If they win, they finish the regular season undefeated, 31-0.
If, the MVC is seemingly below average even for a mid-major conference, it's exceedingly difficult to win high stakes, division I basketball games 30 or more times in a row. Put Florida or Syracuse in the MVC and they might drop a game out of sheer probability.
The Shockers also get the chance to do it at home. Does Missouri State have a chance?
Looking back at their results, the Bears have played some unusual games, such as a 32-point loss to Loyola, IL (9-20, 4-13), followed two games later by an overtime loss to Wichita State. They've won their last two games, an 11 point win over second place Indiana State (21-8, 12-5) and a 16 point win over those very same Loyola Ramblers. At least they're playing well at the right time. Vegas says Wichita State should win by 17.5 points. I think that's generous considering the pressure of the last game. Missouri State for the cover, and I feel good about this one (just don't look at my overall record).
For live stream, try watchespn
Record: 21-31 (late season push!)
Butler @ Creighton: L (picked Butler, +10.5)
UConn @ Memphis: L (picked Memphis, -7.5)
Depaul @ Villanova: W (picked Villanova, -17.5)
Pittsburg @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -5.5)
Creighton @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)
Baylor @ Kansas: W (picked Baylor, + 10.5)
Indiana @ Michigan State: L (picked Michigan State, -12)
Iowa @ Michigan: L (picked Iowa, + 1.5)
Colorado @ Arizona: W (picked Colorado, + 14.5)
Illinois @ Ohio State: W (picked Illinois, + 11)
Michigan @ Michigan State: W (picked Michigan, + 4.5)
Villanova @ Marquette: W (picked Villanova, -3)
Utah @ Arizona: W (picked Utah, + 15)
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State: W (picked Oklahoma, + 4.5)
Villanova @ Georgetown: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)
Michigan State @ Iowa: W (picked Michigan State, + 5)
St. John's @ Creighton: W (picked St. John's, + 12)
Iowa State @ Kansas: L (picked Iowa State, + 8.5)
Syracuse @ Wake Forest: L (picked Syracuse, -10)
Purdue @ Michigan: L (picked Michigan, -12)
Florida @ Mississippi State: W (picked Miss. State, + 15)
Duke @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -3)
Xavier @ Villanova: L (picked Xavier, + 10)
Nebraska @ Michigan: L (picked Nebraska, + 13)
Boston College @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -13)
Oregon @ Arizona: L (picked Arizona, -11)
Oklahamo State @ Texas Tech: W (picked Texas Tech, + 6.5)
West Virginia @ Kansas: L (picked WVU, + 14)
Maryland @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -11)
Iowa State @ West Virginia: L (picked Iowa State, - 1.5)
Michigan @ Ohio State: L (picked Ohio State, -3.5)
Florida @ Tennessee: W (picked Florida, - 1.5)
Syracuse @ Pittsburg: W (picked Syracuse, + 2.5 -- absurd line)
Villanova @ Depaul: W (picked Villanova, -14)
Creighton @ Butler: L (picked Creighton, -8.5)
West Virginia @ Texas: W (picked Texas, -6)
Florida @ Kentucky: L (picked Kentucy, -2)
VCU @ Saint Louis: W (picked VCU, +4.5)
Villanova @ Creighton: L (picked Villanova, -3.5)
Texas @ Iowa State: L (picked Texas, +6)
Villanova @ Providence: L (picked Villanova, -4.5)
Wichita State @ Loyola: L (picked Loyola, + 13.5)
Creighton @ Marquette: W (picked Creighton, -3)
Gonzaga @ BYU: L (picked Gonzaga, +2)
Duke @ North Carolina: L (picked Duke, -2)
St. John's @ Villanova: W (picked St. John's, + 8.5)
Seton Hall @ Creighton: L (picked Creighton, -13.5)
Syracuse @ Maryland: L (picked Syracuse, -4.5
Indiana @ Wisconsin: W (picked Wisconsin, -10.5)
Butler @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -14.5)
North Carolina @ North Carolina State: L (picked UNC, -4)
Arkansas @ Kentucky: W (picked Arkansas, + 10.5)