When the bracket for the 2017 NCAA Tournament came out, one potential second-round matchup that everyone wanted to see was in the South Region between 2nd-seeded Kentucky vs. 10th-seeded Wichita State. While everyone almost universally agreed that the Shockers were horribly underseeded, the rematch from the 2014 NCAA Tournament that pitted the top-seeded Wichita State against 8th-seeded Kentucky had everyone salivating.
That game was a classic which saw the Wildcats come out on top. While it remains to be seen whether history will consider this game as good as the 2014 matchup, it was still great, and in the end, Kentucky eked out a close win, 65-62.
The story of this game will probably be the late game execution from the Shockers, which left a lot to be desired, partly because Kentucky’s defense was locked in. On its second-to-last possession, Wichita State passed the ball around kind of aimlessly, and a Markis McDuffie three was blocked by Malik Monk. The ball landed in Monk’s hands, he was fouled, and the potential lottery pick drilled two free throws to put the Wildcats up by three.
Still, the Shockers had 10 seconds and one final chance to send the game to overtime. The ball was in the hands of Landry Shamet – a freshman guard who played out of his mind down the stretch – but the Wildcat defense was smothering.
.@KentuckyMBB with another huge block to end the game! pic.twitter.com/sTpBNrMzDQ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 19, 2017
Like that 2014 game, this was a slugfest between a top-2 seed and a squad that was underseeded. After the game, everyone agreed that we need to see these two teams play every year, ideally in the Tournament.
New rule: Kentucky and Wichita State must play in the tournament every year.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) March 19, 2017
Wichita State and Kentucky should have a disrespect-narrative-driven game every year.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 19, 2017
Wichita State and Kentucky have to play every year.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 19, 2017
IMO Wichita State and Kentucky should be paired up in the tournament every year.
— No Escalators (@NoEscalators) March 19, 2017
Ok screw fairness just have Kentucky and Wichita State play in the second round every year
— Tom (@TJFsports) March 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/leneman1585/status/843568537637703681
Coming into this game, KenPom said we were watching two top-10 squads face off. That was absolutely the case, as we got an Elite 8-caliber game with two sides going blow-for-blow for 40 minutes. It was one heck of a game, and it’ll be hard for the game in the 2020 Tournament between these two teams to match up.
