2017-18 National Rankings

[rrshock]

Expect our ranking to drop once they start announcing the last few blue chippers to the blue bloods. It seemed that was the case 2 years ago when the earliest polls started us in the top 10 and by the time the season rolled around we were around 15.

I'm not sure about that this time around.

[Cdizzle]

Expect our ranking to drop once they start announcing the last few blue chippers to the blue bloods. It seemed that was the case 2 years ago when the earliest polls started us in the top 10 and by the time the season rolled around we were around 15.

I agree. But I was hoping for 15-ish to begin with. If we can start there, by Dec. 1st we could be atop the mountain.

[shoxilla]

Looks like Gonzaga in a 2nd round game

[WSUwatcher]

I think we're being underrated.

Well, so does Jon Wilner, but you may have your sights set even higher than he does. It's possible that Marshall and the guys are aiming higher, too.

[WSUwatcher]

Rothstein at FanRagSports Way Too Early Top 25

10. Wichita State

Key Losses: None
Key Newcomers: Samaje Jones
Projected Starting Five:
PG Landry Shamet
SG Conner Frankamp
SF Markis McDuffie
PF Zach Brown
C Shaq Morris

Projected Bench: Darryl Willis, Austin Reaves, Daishon Smith, Rauno Nurger, Rashard Kelly, Samaje Jones

He's forgetting CJ Keyser. If he stays healthy, CJ could be the next Shocker secret weapon.

[im4wsu]

He's forgetting CJ Keyser. If he stays healthy, CJ could be the next Shocker secret weapon.

And Mitgaard, as well.

[another shocker]

when was the last time that marshall had five starters returning at wichita state?

[ShockingButTrue]

He's forgetting CJ Keyser. If he stays healthy, CJ could be the next Shocker secret weapon.

You got that right. His skills are legit. Has 3 point range and isn't shy. GGG prototype.

[WuShock Reaper]

"WVU No. 11 in way-too-early college basketball preseason poll"- Gazette Mail

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports-wvu/20170404/wvu-no-11-in-way-too-early-college-basketball-preseason-poll

By John Marshall, The Associated Press
April 4, 2017

1. Kentucky
2. Louisville
3. Arizona

4. Wichita State. A rebuilding season in 2016-17 turned into a surprise run to the NCAA Tournament. The Shockers return all five starters and will be better next season.

5. Duke
6. Villanova
7. Gonzaga
8. North Carolina
9. Florida
10. Kansas

[WuShock16]

when was the last time that marshall had five starters returning at wichita state?

Last time it was close was the NIT championship season when everyone but Clevin was back. Four starters and a BUNCH of returnees, plus some key newcomers (Joe Ragland and Ben Smith).

[WuShock Reaper]

"College Basketball Top 25 for 2017-2018 - Super Early Version" - The Big Lead: NCABB

http://thebiglead.com/2017/04/04/top-25-2017-2018-college-basketball/

By: Jason McIntyre
04/04/17

1. Gonzaga
2. Oregon

3. Wichita State - This seems high, but when you combine what they return, plus their coach, it makes plenty of sense. If they weren’t seeded wrong, the Shockers had the talent to make a run. But they lost to Kentucky (again) early. The good news: The entire rotation returns, led by Landy Shamet, who was a star as a freshman (20 points in the UK loss). Also, Gregg Marshall didn’t leave, so expectations will be high for the Shockers. A Final Four trip is certainly within reach. Center Shaquille Morris could use some help inside.

4. Louisville
5. North Carolina
6. USC
7. Kentucky
8. Xavier
9. Kansas
10. Duke

[WuShock Reaper]

"College Basketball Top 25 for 2017-2018 - Super Early Version" - The Bleacher Report

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2699599-preseason-ncaa-basketball-rankings-2017-18-super-early-top-25-experts-poll

by Kerry Miller
04/04/17


1. Kentucky
2. Villanova
3. Gonzaga
4. Duke
5. Louisville

6. Wichita State

Noteworthy Departures: None

Noteworthy Arrivals: None

Projected Starting Five: Landry Shamet, Conner Frankamp, Zach Brown, Markus McDuffie, Shaquille Morris

Why They're Here: Every other team that finished the regular season in the AP Top 25 is going to lose at least one starter, and the vast majority of them are losing multiple key contributors to either graduation, the NBA draft or the transfer market.

But not Wichita State. As was the case for Saint Mary's and Wisconsin last year, this NCAA tournament bubble team returns everyone worth mentioning and will enter the following season as one of the legitimate candidates to win it all. The Shockers are going to be loaded with veteran experience, likely rolling with a primary nine-man rotation consisting of seven seniors, one junior and one sophomore (Landry Shamet) who played nothing like a freshman in this year's dance.

Will Change If... Players opt for the graduate-transfer route. Gregg Marshall has done a great job of keeping players at Wichita State in this era of rampant transferring. However, with seven soon-to-be seniors on the roster, there's always the chance that someone graduates early to explore college basketball's version of free agency.

Losing one bench guy wouldn't be the end of the world, but quality depth was Wichita State's biggest strength this season. If multiple seniors go elsewhere, it would become a bit tougher to put the Shockers in the Top 10.

7. North Carolina
8. Kansas
9. West Virginia
10. Arizona

[WuShock Reaper]

"An extremely early top 25 for 2017-18" - SB*Nation

http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2017/4/4/15170476/college-basketball-early-top-25-2017-2018-north-carolina-duke-kentucky

by Mike Rutherford
Apr 4, 2017, 8:00am EDT

1. North Carolina
2. Duke
3. Arizona
4. Louisville
5. Kansas
6. Kentucky
7. Florida

8. Wichita State -
2016-17 Record: 31-5
2016-17 Finish: Second Round
Don’t be surprised at all if in 2017-18 Wichita State winds up stepping into the role that Gonzaga has inhabited for the past four months. The Shockers should return every key player from a team that won 31 games and got them into the top 10 of the national rankings. The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee’s potential consideration of metrics outside of just the RPI would also help Wichita avoid being massively under-seeded for a fourth straight year.

9. West Virginia
10. Gonzaga

[AZ Shocker]

Looks like Gonzaga in a 2nd round game

Phiseeesshhhh...you know it'll be the Sacremento Kings...I mean Kentucky.

[pinstripers]

Steve Boleski @steveboleski 2h
2 hours ago


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Lunardi makes Wichita State a 3 seed in initial 2017-18 bracket. Guessing Palm has them "first four out"...