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* Louisville’s first season as a Missouri Valley Conference was in 1964-65, the same season in which the Shockers reached the Final Four. That Cardinals team was 15-10 and coached by Bernard “Peck” Hickman, who had been at Louisville since 1944. Hickman lasted only two more seasons at Louisville, retiring after the 1966-67 season, when the Cardinals were 23-5.

* Louisville was a Valley member from 1964-65 through 1974-75 and during its brief time won or tied for seven MVC championships.

* Wichita State never beat the Cardinals in Louisville. The Shockers came close a few times. In 1969-70, Louisville beat WSU, 59-58, at Freedom Hall. The next season, the Cardinals won, 98-97, in overtime. And in 1971-72, Louisville eked out a 65-64 win. Three of the 11 WSU-Louisville games played in Wichita went to overtime and one went two overtimes. Louisville won two of them.

* My memories from Louisville-Wichita State center around the Cardinals’ Wes Unseld and Wichita State’s Warren Armstrong. They matched up many times and had an epic battle in 1967-68 at WSU’s Roundhouse, one of those overtime games won by Louisville, 93-91. Even though Armstrong was only 6-foot-2, he had the strength and athleticism to match-up against the powerful 6-8 Unseld, one of college basketball’s all-time greats.

* There were many outstanding players from WSU and Louisville during that era. Some of the best from the Shockers’ side included: Armstrong, Jamie Thompson, Kelly Pete, Ron Washington, Melvin Reed, Greg Carney, Ron Mendell, Ron Harris, Terry Benton, Preston Carrington, Vince Smith, Rich Morsden, Bob Wilson, Calvin Bruton, Robert Elmore and Cheese Johnson, whose career started the season after Louisville left the Valley but included one game against the Cardinals.

* Some of the best Louisville players of that era included: Unseld, John Reuther, Butch Beard, Mike Grosso, Jim Price, Al Vilcheck, Ron Thomas, Allen Murphy and Junior Bridgeman.

* This is the biggest game in Wichita State history. I know the Shockers were in another Final Four, back in 1965. But college basketball wasn’t the three-headed beast it is today. Those national semifinal games in Portland, Ore., were played at 9 and 11 p.m., CST. On a Friday night. They were not nationally televised. If I remember correctly – and I was 10 at the time, so don’t take this to the bank – the game was shown at the Roundhouse on closed circuit television. Was I there? I was afraid you were going to ask. I’m not sure. Isn’t that terrible? You would think I would remember something like that, which I don’t. So that must mean I wasn’t there. But I was a rabid WSU fan as a kid so I’m sure I must have begged my father to take me. If the game was televised at the Roundhouse, which I’m not sure it was. Wow. This is embarrassing.

* The Shockers didn’t leave for Portland until the Thursday morning before the Friday night game. There were no news conferences when they arrived in Oregon. It was just another game. Yes, it was a Final Four and a relatively big deal compared to the rest of the college basketball season. But it wasn’t like it is today.

* Of course, Wichita State lost to UCLA in the national semifinals in 1965, 118-82. The Shockers played a third-place game against Princeton, and again lost in a blowout. The national championship game between UCLA and Michigan, won by the Bruins, was televised nationally and in Wichita on then-KTVH, Channel 12.

* I often played basketball by myself in my backyard as a kid. No, it wasn’t because I didn’t have any friends. It’s just what kids did then. Not so much now. Anyway, being the Wichita State fan I was, I would broadcast the imaginary games I was playing. Something like this: “Pete’s got it at the top of the key, he passes to Stallworth, who dribbles to the corner. Bowman is open inside, he’s got it for a 10-footer. Good. Bowman puts Wichita State in front of Cincinnati, 45-44.” Rick Weaver, who later went on to become the radio voice of the Miami Dolphins, is the first broadcaster I remember. Gus Grebe, who I believe followed Weaver, is the most popular. I wanted to be those guys when I was a kid and I practiced my play-by-play for hours and hours while also practicing basketball. It was a two-for-the-price-of-one thing. I remember those imaginary games like they were yesterday. Unlike whether or not I went to watch a broadcast of WSU in the Final Four. Funny how the brain does – and doesn’t – work.

* I have completely lost touch with my television viewing during the NCAA Tournament. But I was able to see the season finales of “The Walking Dead” and “Justified” during my pit stop in Wichita, before heading for Atlanta and the Final Four. Those are two incredible shows. I’m looking forward to the debut of “Mad Men,” tomorrow night.

* My son, who has been covering this incredible Wichita State basketball journey with me, is a little star struck. He tweets about exchanging pleasantries with CBS studio host Greg Gumble and about walking past talk-show radio host Jim Rome. It’s cute. He’s 30, but it’s still cute.

* Jeff and I have to figure out a way to watch “Wrestlemania” tomorrow night. Somewhere, somehow.

* Not happy about the way the St. Louis Cardinals have limped out of the gates at 1-3. I’m worried about everything at the moment: Pitching, defense, hitting, bullpen. Thank goodness I’ve had a big distraction that has kept me from stewing about all of this.

I guess there are still memories to be had, even for somebody who has been writing about sports for as long as I have.

And this week is one of those times as Wichita State approaches its first Final Four in 48 years. It’s a privilege for me to be writing about the Shockers on this big stage and to represent the Wichita Eagle in Atlanta and during WSU’s previous stops in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.

This is history and that’s not lost on me. In fact, I would go so far as to say getting to cover this Final Four run is the highlight of my professional career. I might as well just go ahead and retire after this is over. But don’t get your hopes up because I have bills to pay.

I was a 10-year-old rabid Shocker fan in 1965, when WSU was beaten in the national semifinals by UCLA, then dropped a third-place game (thank goodness they don’t have those anymore) to Princeton and Bill Bradley.

My father and I, I’m sure, went to every home game that season. As I’ve written about before, I was a huge Wichita State basketball fan as a kid and getting to talk this week to former Shockers Kelly Pete (now Mohamed Sharif), Dave Leach and Vernon Smith has been a surreal experience. It always is. I’ve interviewed WSU players from that era numerous times in my journalism career and it’s always such a strange experience because these were my sports heroes growing up.

My favorite athlete of all-time is former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson. He’s followed closely, though, by former Shocker All-America basketball player Dave Stallworth, who unfortunately missed out on being a member of the ’65 Final Four team because of eligibility issues. His ran out in late January of that season in one of the strangest twists in college basketball history. I don’t know who was in charge of eligibility in those days, but whoever it was really dropped the ball.

As we’ve covered this team more and more, deeper and deeper into the tournament, it’s been impressive to see how the players and coaching staff has handled the deluge of media publicity. This is a good group that, as far as I can tell, hasn’t let any of this go to their heads. They have remained down to earth, humble and proud of what they have accomplished but not changed by those accomplishments.

If there’s a commonality between the teams of previous coach Mark Turgeon and those of current coach Greg Marshall, it’s that they recruit good players and good people. The 2006 team of Turgeon’s that made a run to the Sweet 16 was filled with exemplary guys and this team is, too.

What happens in Atlanta?

To no one’s surprise, the Shockers are an underdog to Louisville, the No. 1 overall seed when the 68 tournament teams were announced a few weeks ago. They’re a big underdog, 10 1/2 points last I checked.

But Wichita State has been an underdog to Pittsburgh, Gonzaga and Ohio State in this tournament. And the Shockers survived and advanced. They built double-digit leads against all three and had the Buckeyes down 20 points in the second half before a late comeback.

Louisville deserves all of its accolades. The Cardinals have everything, including a stifling defense – full- and half-court – that is sure to cause Wichita State problems.

But the Shockers have counter punchers. Their guards match up reasonably well, I believe. Maybe I’m delusional, who knows?

As you know, I’m jaded, curmudgeonly, sarcastic and rude. Well, I try not to be rude. I do try. But I’m glad I’m getting to experience this incredible moment in Wichita State basketball history. It stems mostly back to my youth and memories of my father. Much of my sports world circles around my dad, Ray, who I have been fortunate enough to get to write about over the years.

He took me to so many games when I was a kid. And it was through that experience that everything I’ve gotten to do in my life as it relates to sports has come about.

My dad was a huge Shocker fan, too. When we weren’t at a home game, we were listening to road games on the radio. The Shockers and Cardinals were our bond. I’m glad I was able to work for eight years at the newspaper before my father passed away in 1982. Moments like this always make me think about him and how proud he was of me and the Shockers.

We’re both doing something pretty cool this week.

Just where is Wichita Statebasketball in a national scope?

The Shockers are in their second Sweet 16 in the past eight years. Only 29 other schools have been in multiple Sweet 16s during that time frame; another 30 have appeared in one Sweet 16 and a whole bunch

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has Duke on a high perch among the country’s Division I basketball programs.

have reached that status once.

Going into tonight’s Sweet 16 game against La Salle at Staples Center in Los Angeles, the Shockers are 109-32 the past four years. They reached the NIT in 2009-10, won the NIT in 2010-11, made a first-round NCAA Tournament exit in 2011-12 and this season have made it to where only three other WSU teams in history have gone.

Heady stuff. Gregg Marshall has taken the Shockers to new heights and there is no sign of a slow-down. WSU likely will start the 2013-14 season as a heavy favorite to win the Creighton-less Missouri Valley Conference and probably as a Top 25 club.

This all got me to thinking about where WSU – today – stacks up nationally. Where would I put them among the nation’s 345 Division I basketball schools?

So I went to work on some quick research. I found a group of programs that are obviously ahead of Wichita State. Then I defined a group that probably are ahead of the Shockers or at a similar level.

And I’m going to tell you, there’s no calling WSU a mid-major in today’s college basketball climate. The Shockers are a player with a bright future, an exciting present and a recent past that makes them viable in this discussion.

I’ve broken down the discussion into two categories: Clearly better and arguably better. Here we go:

Clearly better (19) – Florida, Duke, Georgetown, Gonzaga (15 consecutive tournaments), UCLA, Butler, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio State, Indiana, Memphis, Louisville, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Xavier, Arizona, Syracuse, Kentucky, Marquette.

Arguably better (17) – Villanova, Connecticut, Oregon, UNLV, Baylor, New Mexico, Saint Mary’s, San Diego State, Michigan, Kansas State, VCU, Illinois, Creighton, Miami (Fla.), BYU, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati.

The case can be made, with some conviction, that Wichita State is a top 20 program. Right now. As we live and breathe. Lose to La Salle in a few hours and perhaps that case becomes more difficult.

The Shockers are no fluke. This run in the Sweet 16 did not come out of nowhere, despite what those in the national media might want to tell you. Marshall has been building this program since the day he set foot in Wichita in 2007. And he’s not methodical. The Shockers have made steady, tangible progress in each of Marshall’s six seasons.

At some point, the mountain becomes more difficult to climb. That could easily be the case after this season, since Sweet 16s don’t grow on trees. Then again, there will be no shortage of talent on the WSU roster next season. Marshall has a history of success that dates back to his nine seasons at Winthrop. He and his staff know how to recruit and they know hold to mold players.

It’s an exciting time to be a Wichita State basketball fan with the Shockers on a historic run of success.

There are programs in better shape than WSU’s. But thanks to four strong seasons in a row, there aren’t many.

It’s important for me today to write about baseball in the midst of college basketball’s NCAA Tournament. I hope you’ll indulge me, even with Wichita State and Kansas in the Sweet 16. I’m writing columns about the Shockers and Jayhawks all week long. I’ll be in Los Angeles with the Shockers and I have plenty more to say and write about college hoops.

But with snow on the ground and basketballs still in the air, I need a little baseball. And the season starts in less than a week. I cannot wait.

The St. Louis Cardinals are my team and even in the wildness and craziness of the past week, I do

Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright is the team’s ace.

whatever it takes to follow my team. I’ve watched several of the Cardinals’ spring training games, read as much as I can read and come to a few conclusions.

It’s going to be an interesting season. The Cardinals are in a bit of a state of flux, what with the absence now of injured starting pitcher Chris Carpenter and shortstop Rafael Furcal.

But I like this team. I like the possibilities. But, as with the other 29 teams in MLB, what the Cardinals do or don’t do centers around starting pitching.

So let’s start there.

Starting pitching – Adam Wainwright is the No. 1. Now nearly two years removed from Tommy John surgery, and by all accounts nearing a big contract extension with the Cardinals, he’s the ace. And a good one. He’ll be followed in the rotation by left-hander Jaime Garcia and righties Jake Westbrook, Lance Lynn and Shelby Miller, a rookie. This could be a really strong rotation, but it depends on the health of Garcia and the readiness of Miller. Garcia is only 26 and has the talent to be a legitimate No. 2 starter. Miller can be a future ace. The Cardinals need them both to approach their ceilings this season if they are to challenge the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central.

Bullpen – It doesn’t help that closer Jason Motte, one of the best in the National League, will start the season on the disabled list with some elbow irritation. Mitchell Boggs steps into the closer’s role, at least temporarily, while rookie Trevor Rosenthal assumes Boggs’ eighth-inning role. Edward Mujica is still slated to be the seventh-inning guy while the lefties are Marc Rzepczynski and Randy Choate. Fernando Salas and Joe Kelly are likely the other bullpen guys until Motte returns. There are some nice power arms in the Cardinals’ pen, but it’s not what it could be with Motte sidelined.

First base – Allen Craig is the guy here and if he can play 140 games, he’s capable of hitting 30 homers and driving in 110 runs. The key is being healthy. If Craig misses time, rookie Matt Adams will be the guy. Adams is a powerful left-handed hitter who has had a big spring. He looks like a born hitter and he’ll be on the roster to start the season.

Second base – The Cardinals wisely asked left-handed hitting Matt Carpenter to work out at second base curing the offseason after Carpenter batted over .300 in a utility role in 2012. He’s a hitter and now he’s put himself in the mix to get some starts at second, sharing the position with Daniel Descalso. I like both of these guys a lot. I think Descalso will have his best offensive season by far. And prospect Kolten Wong is in the wings if these two can’t get it done.

Third base – Like Craig, the only question about Freese is his health. He had a relatively injury-free season in 2012 and put up nice numbers. He’s a dangerous hitter, part of a middle-of-the-order for the Cardinals that is capable of putting up big numbers. Too often last season, though, it was feast or famine. St. Louis rarely had everyone in its lineup clicking at once.

Shortstop – Warning, warning, warning. The Cardinals do not have a proven shortstop, what with Furcal scheduled to miss the season after elbow surgery. Pete Kozma, who was so good in September last season and even better in the Cardinals’ playoff run, gets the first shot. As he should. It’s possible that Kozma has simply found himself as a big leaguer, even after a lackluster few years in the minor leagues. If not, though, the Cardinals are left to scramble. Descalso has played some shortstop and is adequate. But he’s better at second and even third base. This might be an area the Cardinals have to address quickly. Then again, maybe Kozma is ready. We’ll see.

Left field – Matt Holliday is the left fielder. And he’ll be the left fielder, the Cardinals hope, for about 150 games. He’ll bat third in the lineup. There is no mystery here.

Center field – Ever after proving himself as a .300 hitter over the past three seasons, some question Jay’s staying power. Not me. I like his defense and he’s a good hitter. Not a great hitter and not one with much power. But he’s a good hitter, good enough to be in the leadoff position for 130-140 games. When Jay isn’t in the lineup, look for Shane Robinson. He’s had a terrific spring.

Right field – Veteran Carlos Beltran is the guy here, but look for manager Mike Matheny to be careful about how much Beltran is used. He’s 35 and prone to injury. Beltran can still be a huge threat, but the Cardinals are going to give him more time off in 2013. When he’s out, St. Louis can play Craig in right and Adams at first. Or Carpenter in right. Or . . . are you ready? . . . 20-year-old Oscar Taveras. It’s likely Taveras opens the season at Triple-A Memphis, but he’s ready to be a big leaguer. His time is approaching quickly.

Catcher – Yadier Molina is the best in the business. Or second best in the business to San Francisco’s Buster Posey. Tony Cruz has the loneliest job in the big leagues, backing up Molina.

Bench – Descalso, Robinson, Adams, Cruz and newcomer Ty Wigginton should form the bench when the season begins. As always, it’ll be constantly evolving.

Prediction – The Cincinnati Reds still look like the best team in the NL Central. But the Cardinals could challenge if that starting rotation pans out. There are some question marks there. I look for 87 to 90 wins. But I see a ceiling of 95 if Garcia and Miller have good, healthy seasons. The Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are the other dynamite teams in the National League. The Cardinals fit in there somewhere.

Here’s what we know.Creighton is gone from the Missouri Valley Conference. Probably forever. My best to the Bluejays as they join the new Big East, a powerhouse basketball conference that will generate millions of dollars in television revenue.

Creighton had to take the leap, even if the Bluejays ultimately go splat on the pavement. Which could happen, unsavory as the depiction is.

Villanova University President Rev. Peter Donohue, far left, Seton Hall University President A. Gabriel Esteban, second from left, Georgetown University President John DeGioia, third from left, St. Johns University President Donald Harrington, fourth from left, Creighton University President Rev. Timothy Lannon, fifth from left, Depaul University President Dennis Holtschneider, fifth from right, Providence University President Rev. Brian Shanley, fourth from right, Xavier University President Michael Graham, third from right, Butler University President Jim Danko, second from right, and Marquette University President Rev. Scott Pilarz, far right, assemble for a photo following a press conference on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 in New York. Big East athletic conference member schools gathered in New York to announce developments helping to shape the new basketball-focused conference. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) Close

So now what? Now what for Wichita State, which is left without its biggest rivalry and its basketball brother, really. Two teams in the Missouri Valley Conference rise among the rest – Wichita State and that other school that used to be in the Valley. Sorry, Creighton, you’re dead to me.

Bradley wants to get back to prominence, but Bradley has rarely been prominent over the past 15-20 years.

Southern Illinois might recapture some of its magic. Missouri State has been viable and could be again. Indiana State? Northern Iowa?

Creighton’s departure is a PR nightmare for the Valley, no matter how commissioner Doug Elgin tries to spin it. I’m as loyal to the Valley as anyone, but have felt for too many years the conference has been too passive about its future. And none of the potential choices to replace Creighton will come even close to replicating what Creighton has meant to the Valley over the years.

So, if I’m Wichita State president John Bardo or athletic director Eric Sexton, I’m checking my options. Even without football.

And I keep coming back to the Mountain West Conference, even after feeling earlier as if the notion of the Shockers in the MWC was a real stretch. Slowly, but surely, I’m coming around.

The Mountain West has been difficult to keep track of in the past couple of years. Boise State and San Diego State left for the Big East, then came crawling back after the Big East went wacko. But while Boise and San Diego were gone, the Mountain West plucked Utah State and San Jose State from the Western Athletic Conference.

So, as it stands now, the Mountain West is an 12-team football conference, with Hawaii. But for 2013-14, there are only 11 basketball members, without Hawaii.

Ask any conference commissioner what they hate and they’ll tell you it’s a nine- or 11-team league. It wreaks havoc with scheduling, which leads me to believe that MWC commissioner Craig Thompson, despite earlier assertions that further expansion isn’t on his table, would look at a basketball-only member to round out his conference.

Or maybe I’m completely crazy. That’s a possibility.

I am playing matchmaker here. But I’m not convinced either party is even looking at one another, let alone setting up a date.

And I do this with nothing against the Missouri Valley, which has served Wichita State well for nearly six decades. There’s tremendous history there.

I’m just not convinced other schools in the Valley are equipped to take the next step in basketball. Budget restrictions are a factor. I’m not sure how many MVC schools are serious about men’s basketball. And when I say “serious,” I’m talking about doing whatever is necessary to win, attract crowds and make it to the NCAA Tournament.

Creighton was one of those schools and it’s a big reason why the Bluejays are gone. Wichita State is definitely serious about hoops. After that it gets murky. Just check coaching salaries around the league. Check basketball budgets. Check non-conference schedules. Check all of the ways that tell you whether or not a school is doing everything it can to succeed.

The Mountain West has become one of the four best basketball conferences in the country. The Big East, Big 10 and ACC are probably better. With five teams in the NCAA Tournament, including two or three that could make a run, the MWC is feeling it. It’s a place to be and Wichita State should at least investigate trying to be there.

There are concerns. Travel is one; the MWC isn’t as easy to navigate. Would WSU fans be OK with later games in the Mountain and Pacific time zones? Wichita State would be the eastern outpost of this conference, by about 500 miles. So it’s a stretch.

But look around. Does geography really matter anymore? WSU’s athletic budget would have to increase, but added TV revenues would help.

I’ve gone so far as to draw up two six-team divisions for the new Mountain West. I’m a dreamer, but am I the only one?

West – San Jose State, Nevada, San Diego State, UNLV, Boise State, Fresno State.

East – Wyoming, Utah State, Colorado State, Air Force, New Mexico, Wichita State.

WSU would have to play three West road games a season. Traveling in the East would be a lot like traveling in the Missouri Valley, without Creighton.

So what am I missing other than any indication at all either side is taking a look at this?

I think it’s viable. I think it’s doable. With Creighton gone, WSU has to take a step back and look at possibilities.

I just spoke these words to my colleague, Paul Suellentrop: “I think this can work, but maybe I’m delusional.”

Maybe I am, but the more I think about this, the more I like it.