That’s right – our first #1 seed has fallen as Gonzaga gets upset by #9 Wichita State. Wichita State was lights out from three-point range in the second half – including hitting their last 5 three point shots that sparked a stretch where they went from being down 7 to up 5.
The biggest play I would say was a turnover with about 3 minutes to go. Ron Baker had just hit two FTs to give Wichita State a one point lead. Elias Harris grabbed the ball after the second made FT and tossed it to David Stockton so he could in-bound it. Just one problem. Harris grabbed the ball out-of-bounds and Stockton was in-bounds. So, in essense, Harris had already put the ball in play by giving it to Stockton – and then Stockton proceeded to walk the ball out for a turnover.
Ron Baker proceeded to get the ball for Wichita State and hit a 3 pointer to give the Shockers a 4 point lead. And then the stadium went nuts when after Gonzaga scored, Fred Vanvleet hit another three-pointer to extend the lead to 5. At this point, the Shockers were able to finish the game off from the FT line and take out the #1 ranked team in the polls going into the tournament.
Congratulations to Wichita State for their amazing upset and earning a trip to the Sweet 16.
One response to “Shocking Gonzaga”
Argh!! My B-T model gave a 7% probability to this game’s outcome. Unfortunately, for my model to be right 7% events are supposed to happen 7% of the time. And, as I had Gonzaga winning the tournament my bracket is totally crushed. “The race is not always to the swiftest, nor the battle to the strongest, but that is the way to bet.” (or, at least, that is what I keep telling myself). The best of luck to everyone still surviving. And, I’ll be back in 2nd chance standings (or, at least, so I also tell myself.) -Bill