5 Reasons Why No. 7 Wichita State Will Upset No. 3 Notre Dame In the Sweet 16

By Trevor Lowry

Reasons Why No. 7 Wichita State Will Upset No. 3 Notre Dame In the Sweet 16

Wichita State Basketball
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Wichita State Shockers are back at it again. They will meet up with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sweet 16, and they should really like their chances of pulling off the upset.

Before looking at the five reasons why the Shockers will upset the Fighting Irish, just remember that Wichita State has only lost four games, it entered postseason play with a No. 13/14 ranking and it started the season with a No. 11 ranking.

5. Wichita State Is One Year Removed From No. 1 seed, 2 Years Removed From Final Four

Wichita State
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

5. Wichita State Is One Year Removed From No. 1 seed, 2 Years Removed From Final Four

Wichita State
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Don't let the Shockers' No. 7 seed fool you, Wichita State made the Final Four two seasons ago and was a No. 1 seed last year. This year's team may be just as good.

4. Guard Trio of VanVleet, Baker and Cotton

Wichita State
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

4. Guard Trio of VanVleet, Baker and Cotton

Wichita State
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker and Tekele Cotton are probably the best guard trio left in this tournament. These guys have been here before and no stage is too big for them, as they showed against Indiana and Kansas. That said, VanVleet and Baker need to come up big on the offensive end.

3. Notre Dame’s Lethal Offense Hasn’t Been Very Lethal

Notre Dame
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

3. Notre Dame’s Lethal Offense Hasn’t Been Very Lethal

Notre Dame
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame has won both of its games and that is really all that matters. However, Notre Dame has the No. 12 scoring offense in college basketball (78.8 PPG), but has yet to hit the 70-point mark in the dance.

2. The Shockers’ Defense

Wichita State
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

2. The Shockers’ Defense

Wichita State
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The Shockers come in at No. 9 when it comes to points allowed per game (56.7). Notre Dame is good -- that is a no-brainer -- but there is no doubt that VanVleet and others will make life on the Fighting Irish's offense tough.

1. Can Notre Dame Make Enough Stops When It Matters Most?

Notre Dame
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

1. Can Notre Dame Make Enough Stops When It Matters Most?

Notre Dame
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

This is more of a question for Notre Dame than an actual knock on it. The Fighting Irish made a huge stop against the Butler Bulldogs in the round of 32, but can they continue to make stops on the defensive end down the stretch? If the answer turns out to be a no, Notre Dame better be rocking that elite offense instead.

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