Jackson Free Press

Florida Gulf Coast's flameout against Florida leaves Wichita State as the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament's only Cinderella team. The Shockers lived up to their nickname when they shocked Ohio State in the West Regional Final.

It is nice to see Wichita State follow in the footsteps of Butler, Virginia Commonwealth, George Mason and Gonzaga in crashing the NCAA Tournament party. It is great to see a small conference school beat the basketball bluebloods, the mid-majors that aren't mid-majors anymore or teams from big conferences.

I can't help but root for the little guy to go deep in the tournament. I don't want to see the clock strike midnight for the last Cinderella.

Wichita State now faces the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, Louisville, and its relentless full-court-press defense. Plus, the Cardinals will be a sentimental favorite after guard Kevin Ware broke his leg contesting a shot against Duke.

Ware's broken leg is one of worst sports injuries I have seen. Ware broke his leg in two places, and the bone came through the skin. I can see how people were reminded of former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann's injury.

The Shockers will have to battle the high emotions the Cardinals will have with Ware sitting courtside.

Wichita State must do is what they have done to win most of their games: out-rebound the Cardinals. This will keep Louisville to one shot on the offensive end when Wichita State gets defensive rebounds and give the Shockers extra chances at points when they get offensive rebounds.

The other advantage for the Shockers is their depth. The Shockers are playing nine to 10 players in each tournament game. Wichita State is able to rest their starters by getting minutes from their bench.

Wichita State has beaten teams from the big conferences and fellow mid-majors. The Shockers have faced Pittsburgh (Big East), Gonzaga (mid-major), La Salle (mid-major) and Ohio State (Big Ten) on their march to the Final Four.

Players such as Carl Hall, Ron Baker, Tekele Cotton, Malcolm Armstead, Fred Van Vleet and Cleanthony Early have all played major roles for Wichita State. There is just no telling which one of the Shockers will have a big game to carry this team.

History is not on the side of Wichita State. Only four teams (not counting the Shockers) have reached the finals that were seeded ninth or lower since the NCAA began seeding teams in 1979: Penn State (1979), LSU (1986), George Mason (2006) and VCU (2011). None of these Final Four party crashers reached the title game.

Hall and Armstead are seniors, but the rest of the Shockers mainstays will be back next season. This team could end up making another deep run if they fall short this weekend. Or, maybe, they'll be back to defend a title gained in the most shocking upset since North Carolina State defeated Houston in 1983.