The following is a column by Shelby Reynolds, a student assistant in WSU's Strategic Communications office and managing editor of The Sunflower, WSU's student-run newspaper. 

It’s been a week since the heartbreaking loss to Illinois State.

Since then, fans are impatiently awaiting Selection Sunday to find out what seed the Shockers will get and where they’ll travel in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Most are crossing their fingers for an appearance in Omaha, Neb., rather than Jacksonville or Columbus.

And after witnessing Shocker Nation in St. Louis, Mo., last weekend, now I see why.

It was the first time I’ve traveled with the team, and I was astounded by the amount of black and yellow I saw on the streets of St. Louis and in the stands of the Scottrade Center.

Fans came from far and wide to see their team compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship Tournament. And our Shocker faithful made one heck of an appearance.

Everywhere I went in St. Louis – restaurants, airports, street corners, the Arch – I was guaranteed to come across dozens of Shocker fans. There was an excited frenzy on the streets and on the concourse of Scottrade. But besides the dedication, they’re also just genuine, friendly people.

There’s a sense of camaraderie among Shocker Nation that I’m convinced doesn’t exist anywhere else (yeah, maybe I’m a little biased). Wichita State fans are cut from the same cloth -- tireless, blue-collar, authentic folks who work hard to succeed and look out for one another.  It’s in our DNA.

And Gregg Marshall’s team reflects that mentality. Our guys on the court are diligent, don’t take “no” for an answer and have a passion for victory. 

They “Play Angry,” and our fans “Cheer Angry.”

Perhaps that’s why last week’s loss was so heartbreaking. As Shocker fans, we identify with the players we travel miles for, take off work for and cheer on until the final buzzer. 

The team’s losses are the fans’ losses. The team’s victories are the fans’ victories.

Come Sunday, Shocker Nation will make travel plans for the tournament, no matter the location. I don’t know if I’ll make it to cheer on the team (as a cash-strapped student, I’m hoping for Omaha). But whether it’s Florida, Ohio, Thailand or Mars, I know a large number of fans wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Go ahead, NCAA, seed us far from home. We’ll show up. You can’t take away that home-court feel. Even then, our guys know we’ll be cheering with just as much passion from our couches at home.

Cheer Angry, folks, and thanks for a great time in St. Louis.

---

Wichita State University learns it's seeding and matchup in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament during The Selection Show, airing at 5 p.m., Sunday, March 5 on CBS.