The ninth-seeded Wichita State Shockers are set to meet the 13-seed LaSalle Explorers tonight in the 2013 NCAA Tournament's West Regional Semifinal. The teams will play at the star studded Staples Center in Los Angeles. Catch the game at 10:17 EST on TBS.
La Salle beat 3 teams over a span of 5 days to make it to the semifinals: Boise State, Kansas State and Ole Miss.
"We're not rags to riches," said La Salle Coach John Giannini, in an interview with the Associated Press. "Maybe people are surprised we've won three in a row. But we've beaten good teams all year."
\Wichita State got this far by routing Pittsburgh and shocking the nation by taking down 1-seed Gonzaga.
Keys to the Matchup for Wichita State: Protect The Basketball
The Explorers of La Salle are a handsy bunch and their takeaway numbers show it. Five (five!) Explorers have 30 or more steals on the season: Ramon Galloway (63), Tyreek Duren (56), Sam Mills (33), DJ Peterson and Tyrone Garland (30). Needless to say, they can make things very difficult for anyone who doesn't come correct with their dribbling and make very careful passes.
Keys To The Matchup for La Salle: Guard The Perimeter
Wichita State has been ludicrous from beyond the arc in this tournament. The Shockers drained 14 buckets from downtown in their upset of top-seeded Gonzaga. La Salle must pressure the ball and extend their defense to cover the whole floor if they want to stay in this game.
Fun Fact: The Shockers went to back-to-back title games in 1954 and 1955, winning the title in '54. However, Wichita State hasn't been to a regional final since 1981.
When: 10:17 PM EST
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Spread: Wichita State +4 ½
Watch: TBS
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