the 2013–14 season was arguably the best season in wichita state's 108-year basketball history. after defeating missouri state on march 1, 2014, wichita state became the first men's division i team ever to finish the regular season 31–0 (kentucky matched it the next year) , the first team to finish 18–0 in conference play in the missouri valley conference since the 1985–86 bradley braves, as well as the first to finish the regular season undefeated since saint joseph's in 2003–04. the team's 35–0 start was the best men's division i start ever (before kentucky started 38-0 the next year), beating the 1990–91 unlv runnin' rebels who began the season 34–0 and the best missouri valley conference start ever, beating the 1978–79 indiana state sycamores, who went 33–0 to start the season. they spent most of the season in the top 10 of both major polls, rising as high as #2 in late february. they continued their run by winning their first mvc tournament title since 1987, and were ranked second in both final major media polls, the highest final national ranking in school history. though some analysts noted that wichita state's schedule was relatively easy compared to previous teams that finished the regular season primarily because none of their opponents throughout the season were ranked when they played them, as well as only beating one opponent that was ranked at any point in the season (saint louis, who also had a lack of quality wins).