The RoundHouse | 1/3/2020 5:32:00 PM

OLE MISS (9-3) at 24/23 WICHITA STATE (12-1)
SATURDAY, JAN. 4, 2020 | 3:05 P.M. CT
TV: ESPNU (WatchESPN)
RADIO: KEYN 103.7 FM (GoShockers.com/Listen)
SERIES: OLE MISS LEADS 3-2 (1-1 in Wichita)
 
 
This is one of the stretches in the schedule that looks enticing in the early fall – "Wow, that's a bunch of big-time games." It might look significant in March – "We really helped ourselves with that run."
 
On the eve of an imposing five-game stretch, Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall is full of the mixed emotions, which is how it works for coaches. Playing Mississippi, Memphis, at UConn, at Temple and Houston offers the potential for a range of drama and outcomes.
 
The challenge is intoxicating and the rewards are obvious. On the other hand, mixing in a Drake or Missouri State might not sound so bad. 
 
All five opponents are in the top 80 of the NCAA's NET ranking, led by Memphis (No. 13). All five are in the top 90 of the Pomeroy rankings, led by No. 26 Houston. 
 
From a historical standpoint, a game at four-time NCAA champion UConn adds cachet to the stretch that is hard to beat. The others possess their share of spotlight moments.
 
Temple, with 1,935 wins to rank fifth among Division I programs and 33 NCAA appearances, is a place that takes basketball seriously. Memphis, which visits Koch Arena on Thursday, offers a No. 9-national rank in the Associated Press poll, a hyped recruiting class and a famous coach in Penny Hardaway. Houston is a conference power with two straight NCAA bids.
 
Marshall isn't sure he's faced a tougher stretch as a head coach. By the evening of Jan. 18, the Shockers will show where they belong nationally. It won't be easy.
 
"It's high-level, storied college basketball programs," he said. "Home, away. Hartford Civic Center. Temple. Those are teams that have won national championships, played basketball for a long time at the highest level."
 
The stretch, which includes the non-conference game against Ole Miss, is another remind of how the Shockers stepped up in class by joining the American. Last season, the Shockers played at VCU and then opened conference play with five games against top-70 Pomeroy teams, three in the top 40. 
 
"It's the reason you made the move from the Missouri Valley to the American," Marshall said. 
 
The SEC, more than any conference other than Wichita State's own, played a significant role in the rise during Marshall's tenure.
 
Almost every season – especially since 2011 - comes with at least a small SEC connection. Some of those seasons can't be fully dissected with a discussion of an SEC opponent or two.
 
Alabama, with six meetings, is Wichita State's most common non-conference opponent outside Tulsa, which is now a conference opponent. The series with Alabama - each team won three times - includes the 2011 NIT title game. 
 
"First and foremost, it's a respect for our program," Wichita State athletic director Darron Boatright said. "There has been a commitment from the Southeastern Conference to upgrade men's basketball scheduling. We have made it well-known that we will play anyone in a home-and-home situation."
 
Wichita State played LSU in a three-game series, starting during Mark Turgeon's time as coach, with a neutral-court game (in Louisiana) included. It played Tennessee at Intrust Bank Arena and met Alabama, LSU and South Carolina in in-season tournaments. Saturday's game against Mississippi is part of a scheduling alliance between the American Athletic Conference and the SEC. The Shockers go to Ole Miss next season.
 
"When you're in a state where there are only three Division I institutions, and the other two will not play for whatever reason, sometimes you have to get creative," Boatright said. 
 
The Shockers lost to Kentucky in two memorable NCAA Tournament games. They won three games under Marshall against LSU, a 20-point win at Koch Arena (2007-08), one on a Garrett Stutz three-pointer in Bossier City (2010-11) and a 35-point rout in the Battle 4 Atlantis (2016-17). In 2016, the Shockers opened NCAA Tournament play with a 70-50 win over Vanderbilt in Dayton. 
 
Several conditions created the scheduling match.
 
SEC coaches got the message about playing tougher opponents when the conference earned two at-large bids in 2013, 2014 and 2016. A connection to former Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin from his days at Missouri State mattered. SEC schools, more than some in other conferences, are willing to play on the road or schedule attractive home games in November and December when their fans are locked in on football. 
 
"I think Gregg is respected in the southeast," Boatright said. "I've had a couple of personal connections with individuals in the SEC that has helped. Nothing compares to the respect that Wichita State basketball has garnered on a national level. That's the biggest factor."
 
While center Morris Udeze comes off the bench, his play produces starter statistics on many nights. His improved confidence on offense is showing to complement his rebounding and defense.
 
Udeze, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, saved the Shockers with a steal and a block late in Wednesday's win over East Carolina, while also contributing nine points and four rebounds in 20 minutes. In his past four games, he averaged 8.0 points and 3.7 rebounds. In those games, he made 14 of 19 shots. 
 
While fouls derail him occasionally, he even managed to score eighth points in nine minutes against Oklahoma.
 
Marshall doesn't see a drop-off when Udeze replaces starter Jaime Echenique. He sees another center who can keep the pressure on opposing centers. 
 
"He's playing with a lot of energy and toughness," Marshall said. "He's got to learn how to play without fouling a little more. He's like another starter to me. He's helping us win." 
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.