It has been a year of epic proportions for Wichita State’s men’s basketball.

A historic run of 27-0 and a consistent top 5 ranking have made this a year to remember for any Shockers fan.

However, many fans are not happy because of the lack of national coverage on stations such as ESPN. They think that after a Final Four run and an undefeated start, the nation should care more about their team.

But, for the most part, the nation doesn’t care about WSU. It may be one of the top-ranked teams in the country, but they don’t draw the masses of fans like Kansas, Syracuse or Villanova do.

These are all teams that are right up there in the top 10. Year after year, they prove to the nation that they are some of the best schools in basketball history.

That’s not to say WSU couldn’t hold their own against any of them. It’s simply to say their names draw views, regardless of which team the viewers root for. WSU fans are more likely to watch a KU game than KU fans are to watch a WSU game.

The name matters for national coverage.

Another thing to consider is conference play. Although it is an impressive feat for any basketball program to win 27 straight games, it would be much more impressive if WSU were in the Big 12 or the Atlantic Coast Conference.

These conferences showcase tough conference play with multiple teams in the AP Top 25 poll. WSU stands alone for the Missouri Valley.

National coverage also looks to pit the best teams against each other.

With conferences with a few powerhouse names like the Big 12 or the ACC, you get match-ups like Kansas vs. Texas or Syracuse vs. Duke.

With the Missouri Valley Conference, you get (at best) WSU vs. Indiana State or Missouri State.

Usually, even these tougher conference games turn into blood baths only Shocker fans would relish in.

For WSU to get more national respect — and coverage — they need to play better teams.

The nation isn’t interested in watching WSU tear into some nobody.

 They want to see great games with great schools.

However, regardless of national respect and airtime, WSU could force the country to pay attention just like it did last year during tournament time.