Wichita State has only lost two games in three years during Missouri Valley Conference play. While one came against Northern Iowa just over a year ago, none have come at Charles Koch Arena.
The No. 25 Shockers look to extend the longest active home winning streak in the country Saturday against the surging Panthers.
Wichita State (18-6, 12-1) is 47-2 in its last 49 conference games with one of those defeats coming at Northern Iowa on Jan. 31, 2015. The Shockers need just two more wins to clinch at least a share of a third straight MVC title, and a three-game homestand could help them achieve that.
They've won 43 straight on their own court, including 24 in league play by an average of 19.4 points.
Wichita State has won four in a row at home over the Panthers (15-11, 7-6) and took the first meeting this season, 74-55 on the road Jan. 20 behind 56.5 percent shooting overall and 8 of 15 from 3-point range.
Ron Baker had 21 points and seven rebounds in that meeting, but he's been limited to 9.8 and 5.8 in six games since. However, that drop in production is partly due to the Shockers winning five of those games by an average of 24.0 points.
They coasted to a 74-48 win at Drake on Tuesday with Baker and Shaquille Morris leading the way with 11 points apiece. Wichita State got points from 11 others and the bench had a 34-5 scoring advantage in an impressive display of depth.
"When healthy, I think we're one of the most balanced teams around," coach Gregg Marshall said. "We've got a lot of guys who can put the ball in the basket."
The Shockers are also capable of preventing opponents from doing that. They're the stingiest team in the MVC, ranking first in scoring defense (60.7) and opponent field-goal percentage (38.7).
Wichita State has been even better over the last three games, limiting teams to 53.7 points and 28.0 percent from the field.
The Panthers, though, will present a challenge. They've averaged 71.4 points on 47.3 percent shooting during a five-game win streak following a four-game skid.
Jeremy Morgan led four players in double figures with a career-high 21 points and UNI went 10 for 23 from long range in an 83-69 victory over Missouri State on Wednesday.
Morgan, who also added eight rebounds and five assists, only managed three points on 1-of-6 shooting against Wichita State last month. He's averaged just 4.8 points in five career meetings.
The Panthers have won both games this season against ranked opponents, stunning then-No. 1 North Carolina on Nov. 21 and then-No. 5 Iowa State on Dec. 19. However, both those victories came at home and they've haven't beaten a Top 25 foe on the road since winning at No. 16 Wichita State on Dec. 30, 2006.
