Wichita State goes 30-0, first team since UNLV to hit mark in reg season

AP Photo/ Stephen Haas

Wichita State guard Ron Baker (31) pushes down the court past the defense of Bradley guard Ka’Darryl Bell (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Carver Arena, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, in Peoria, Ill.

Associated Press

Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 | 8:38 p.m.

PEORIA, Ill. — Ron Baker scored 15 points to lead four Wichita State players in double figures and the second-ranked Shockers became the first Division I team to reach 30-0 in the regular season with a 69-49 victory over Bradley on Tuesday night.

Wichita State is the 11th team to reach 30-0, the previous 10 all hitting the 30-win mark during postseason play. The last team to reach 30-0 was UNLV in 1990-91. The Runnin' Rebels went 34-0 that season before losing to Duke in the national semifinals.

The Shockers (30-0, 17-0 Missouri Valley Conference) has one more regular-season game, at home Saturday against Missouri State. The last team to finish a regular season unbeaten was Saint Joseph's in 2003-04 at 27-0. The next season, Illinois got to 29-0 before losing its regular-season finale at Ohio State.