The Missouri Valley Conference might be losing one of its most consistent performers. The AAC has scheduled a conference later this week to vote and decide whether an invitation will be extended to the Wichita State Shockers. A final decision on their admission is expected to be announced this weekend, according to a report by Sports Illustrated.
The Shockers have become the juggernaut in the MVC and a mainstay in the NCAA tournament in March. Coach Gregg Marshall has coached them to six straight appearances in the tournament and a consistent top 25 ranking.
The Shockers were ranked as a no. 10 seed in this years tournament, a deceptively low seeding for a team with their level of talent and depth. Moving to the AAC will likely mean a more difficult conference schedule and a higher seed in the tournament. The Shockers return the bulk of a team that is poised to make a deep run in the tournament in the 2017-18 season.
Meanwhile, the Missouri Valley Conference has all but accepted that the Shockers are on their way out. “We feel like Wichita State’s departure is imminent,” a Missouri Valley source said. “And we’re ready to move on.”
Their departure is a blow to the strength and legitimacy of the conference, but a huge step forward for the Shockers.
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