The game of the year in college basketball, past or future, was played yesterday in the Gateway city (named that, I believe, because that’s where Gateway computers were manufactured). On Selection Sunday I was highly bothered by the draw undefeated Wichita State had received. It was almost as if the NCAA was trying to hurt a mid-major program for the benefit of its traditional blue-bloods. I know, really strange that the noble NCAA would do such a thing. While Virginia drew an average Memphis team from the American Conference, Florida drew the 5th best team in the ACC and Arizona drew Gonzaga, Wichita State was put into a position where their path to the Elite 8 was very likely to include Kentucky and the reigning champion Louisville Cardinals, themselves a victim of terrible under-seeding.

And so Wichita State, playing in a city 100 miles closer to Lexington, KY than southern Kansas, was forced to play “The Best Freshman Class In The History Of Basketball Ever.” The game was an instant classic. It was the kind of game that was better served for the Final Four or a National Championship game. Boxing metaphors are totally overdone. But this felt like a prizefight should feel. Each team took blows to the head and countered with body shots that left their opponent stunned. Cleanthony Early played the kind of game that should vault him into the discussion for the NBA lottery. He exhibited a great mid-range jump shot and deadly outside shooting. Meanwhile, super freshman Andrew Harrison had his best game of the season, sealing the game down the stretch at the free throw line, while Julius Randle did his best Zach Randolph impression.

The game was a gem. There were a handful of moments that left Jim Nantz and Greg Anthony, calling the game for CBS, with nothing to say but “OH!”

This is likely the end of the road, for now, for Wichita State. Early is a senior, as is Andrew Wiggins’ brother. Fred Van Vleet and Ron Baker, the Shockers great guard combo, are both sophomores, but without the athleticism of Early, this may not be a team that can be a national title contender, which they absolutely were this year. It’s just a shame that the NCAA didn’t want that to happen.