Men's Basketball | 3/22/2026 11:13:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
March Madness is the time for stories and debate about the state of the game, mid-majors, NET rankings, revenue sharing and resources.
 
It is in the same vein as fans rooting for TV ratings, conference profits and luxury suites. All that is part of the picture, but aren't we here to play basketball?
 
On Sunday night, Wichita State went to play basketball and ran Oklahoma State out of historic Gallagher-Iba Arena 96-70 in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.
 
The Shockers (24-11) play at Tulsa (28-7) at 6 p.m., Tuesday (ESPN2) in a quarterfinal game. Tulsa defeated UNLV 77-66 on Sunday to advance. The winner heads to Indianapolis and Hinkle Fieldhouse for an April 2 semifinal.
 
Wichita State won in Stillwater for the fourth time in five trips since 2017. No matter the definition of major-college basketball, the Shockers controlled Sunday's game as the tougher, deeper, better-schooled and more confident team.
 
Wichita State led for 37 minutes, 9 seconds. Oklahoma State's biggest lead was one point. After the Cowboys (20-15) took that lead at 47-46, the Shockers responded with a 17-4 run. They led by 10 or more points over the game's final 10 minutes, expanding that to 29 on Henry Thengvall's layup with 36 seconds to play.
 
"They took their heart," radio voice Mike Kennedy told his audience after the Shockers earned him at least one basketball game to call.
 
 

PUTBACK DUNK!@Nigerianfreak34 | ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/RJtbS2lPvD

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) March 23, 2026

 
 
Of course, Kenyon Giles' ridiculous shooting played a major role in burying Oklahoma State. He did not do all the work, however, and that is why the Shockers are advancing for a fourth matchup against the Golden Hurricane.
 
Thirty-five games in, most teams do what they do. The Shockers are more polished at using their strong points to beat up opponents. As they did in the final 11 minutes against FAU and in the American Championship win over Tulsa, Wichita State played like a mature, confident team that knew how to make the most of its assets.
 
The Shockers dominated the second half by making 19 of 33 shots and 8 of 15 three-pointers. They committed three turnovers and forced 11. They grabbed 21 rebounds – six on offense – and held the Cowboys to 15. OSU made five of its first six shots to open the second half and then went 9 for 24 the rest of the game.
 
Once Wichita State's TJ Williams wrapped up OSU's Christian Coleman, who scored eight of his team's first 10 points after halftime, the Cowboys faded quickly. Nobody else stepped up to score.
 
Meanwhile, the Shockers got another spectacular game from Giles – 28 points and 8 of 16 from three-point range. He, on the other hand, enjoyed plenty of assistance from teammates.
 
Karon Boyd supplemented his superb defense with 13 points and three three-pointers. Michael Gray Jr., also made three threes on his way to 13 points, three assists and no turnovers. Dillon Battie added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Williams grabbed 10 rebounds. Dre Kindell scored seven of his 11 points in the second half.
 
The goal this season is to play in Indianapolis, not New York like in 2011 and 2019 when the Shockers made an NIT run.
 
The 2011 tournament ended in a championship and still stands out in the memories of fans.
 
It started with a game that recalls Sunday's victory. Nebraska came to Koch Arena and the Shockers dominated 76-49, one example of many of a result that defies classification based on the jersey.
 
 

OH MY DB!@BattieDillon | @NITMBB pic.twitter.com/yj5rS7697D

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) March 23, 2026

Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.