NCAA Women's Tournament Bracket: Wichita State Shockers preview

Who? The Shockers of Wichita State.

When do they play in the first round? The Shockers will play California on Friday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

What? An anthropomorphic shock of wheat named WuShock. I'm not making this up. Back in the 1900s, a lot of football players made money "shocking" wheat (harvesting it, that is).

Where? Wichita, Kansas, site of the Museum of Ancient Treasures.

Why? They won the Missouri Valley conference tournament.

How? Alex Harden had 27 points and seven steals, and Michaela Dapprich added 24 points for a Wichita State team that took off in the second half for a 85-71 win over Missouri State.

Surprise? Predicted to finish first in the conference, they were the regular season champions, finishing two games ahead of Drake.

RPI: 40

SOS: 217

Record: 28-4 (17-1 MVC)

Good wins: Whooping Ohio State in the Paradise Jam.

Bad losses: Getting demolished at Eastern Washington.

Who's driving this thing? Jody Adams, since 2008. She made the tournament her first year as a D-I head coach, at Murray State.

Extra, Extra! The Wichita Eagle.

Senior guard Alex Harden is the player to watch for the Shockers, at 16.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 steals. She doesn't carry the burden alone, though: senior guard Jamillah Bonner and junior swingman Michaela Dapprich each average over 12 points per game.