The Wichita State men’s basketball team was focused during Thursday practice, leading into their first game of the NCAA tournament at Scottrade Center in St Louis. After winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament there two weeks ago, the arena and the city are familiar ground. 

“We all feel comfortable on this court. We play here every year,” Tekele Cotton said. “We just won the (Missouri Valley Conference) tournament. So it’s going to be a good feeling stepping back on that court and going to war on this court.” 

The last time the Shockers were there they beat Indiana State to keep their undefeated season alive and earn their first tournament win since 1973. 

The No. 1 seed Shockers will return to that familiar court Friday when they take on No. 16 California Polytechnic State in an attempt to keep their untarnished season alive and advance in the NCAA tournament.

Cal Poly defeated Texas Southern 81-69 Wednesday to advance to the second round of the tournament where they will face the Shockers.

Although many have already counted out Cal Poly as the loser in the matchup, Marshall and the players don’t expect an easy game.

“They are a hot team right now,” Nick Wiggins said. “We have to come out early and show them that we can play.”

Wichita State earned the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA and was given the No. 1 seed in the loaded Midwest region bracket. A bracket that some sports analysts have said is nearly impossible for the Shockers to survive in.

Many believe that WSU has been treated unfairly by being put in the same bracket as Michigan, Louisville, and Duke. But coach Gregg Marshall and the players said they haven’t let the draw get to them. Instead, they want to focus on the game ahead of them with Cal Poly.

“You don’t get to 34-0 by talking about three games from now… We’re not trying to get ahead of ourselves,” Marshall said. “And as you see, the brackets don’t always fall the way they seem to, maybe they should, or people anticipate them falling.”

If the Shockers win against Cal Poly they will play the winner of the Kansas State and Kentucky game Sunday.