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8. Wichita State's attempt to become the next Butler
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Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY SportsCleanthony Early's return could give Wichita State a superstar in 2013-14.
The Bulldogs shocked the college basketball world by making it to the Final Four in back-to-back seasons in 2010 and 2011. It wouldn't be nearly as big of a "Shocker" if Wichita State became the next school from a nonpower league to accomplish the feat. First of all, the Shockers' accomplishment last month hardly seemed like a fluke considering they reached college basketball's final weekend by beating Pittsburgh, Gonzaga and Ohio State before nearly upsetting Louisville in a four-point loss in the NCAA semifinals. Gregg Marshall's team didn't luck into anything when it came to seeding, favorable matchups, etc. Wichita State was simply "that good" when it mattered most.
And it could be again.
All but two of the key pieces from this season's Final Four squad return. Granted, losing power forward Carl Hall and point guard Malcolm Armstead will sting. But the staff is confident that juco transfers Earl Watson and Darius Carter and former Louisiana-Lafayette star Kadeem Coleby (who redshirted last season) will more than make up for the absence of Hall in the paint. And point guard Fred VanVleet was logging more and more minutes as Armstead's backup by the end of the season and outplayed Armstead at the Final Four.
Mix in the return of potential first-round pick Cleanthony Early, sharpshooter Ron Baker, defensive standout Tekele Cotton and a healthy Evan Wessel, and this team has all the pieces to be playing on college basketball's biggest stage once again.
8. Wichita State's attempt to become the next Butler
[+] Enlarge
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY SportsCleanthony Early's return could give Wichita State a superstar in 2013-14.The Bulldogs shocked the college basketball world by making it to the Final Four in back-to-back seasons in 2010 and 2011. It wouldn't be nearly as big of a "Shocker" if Wichita State became the next school from a nonpower league to accomplish the feat. First of all, the Shockers' accomplishment last month hardly seemed like a fluke considering they reached college basketball's final weekend by beating Pittsburgh, Gonzaga and Ohio State before nearly upsetting Louisville in a four-point loss in the NCAA semifinals. Gregg Marshall's team didn't luck into anything when it came to seeding, favorable matchups, etc. Wichita State was simply "that good" when it mattered most.
And it could be again.
All but two of the key pieces from this season's Final Four squad return. Granted, losing power forward Carl Hall and point guard Malcolm Armstead will sting. But the staff is confident that juco transfers Earl Watson and Darius Carter and former Louisiana-Lafayette star Kadeem Coleby (who redshirted last season) will more than make up for the absence of Hall in the paint. And point guard Fred VanVleet was logging more and more minutes as Armstead's backup by the end of the season and outplayed Armstead at the Final Four.
Mix in the return of potential first-round pick Cleanthony Early, sharpshooter Ron Baker, defensive standout Tekele Cotton and a healthy Evan Wessel, and this team has all the pieces to be playing on college basketball's biggest stage once again.
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