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The parameters of Wichita State's mission are well defined heading into Saturday's game against Creighton.

The Shockers can smell the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title that just eluded them a season ago. A victory over the Bluejays would put Wichita State two games up in the standings with three games to play.

Meanwhile, Creighton has lost two games in a row. Conventional wisdom would heap the pressure on the Bluejays, but Joe Ragland isn't buying it.

"Our backs are basically against the wall," Ragland said. "We lost once, and we can't lose again. We've got to go up there and win, and that's just it."

The loss Ragland refers to is the 68-61 setback to Creighton in Wichita during the second game of the league season. Since then, Wichita State's only defeat was a triple-overtime loss at Drake, and the Shockers will come into CenturyLink Center with a 12-2 conference record and a one-game lead on the Bluejays.

The thought of all but clinching the Valley title on their rivals' home floor should provide the Wichita State players with plenty of motivation. So will memories of the first meeting with Creighton, when the Bluejays held the Shockers to 22 points in the second half to erase an eight-point halftime deficit.

"We've been looking forward to this matchup for a long time," Wichita State center Garrett Stutz said. "A lot of guys didn't play well. A lot of guys have room for improvement compared to the last game."

Stutz puts himself at the top of the list. The Shockers' leading scorer and rebounder, Stutz had perhaps his worst game of the season in battling foul trouble to finish with five points and four rebounds.

He also struggled in two meetings last season against Creighton center Gregory Echenique.

"I was really disappointed with the way I played against them the first time, so I'm looking forward to getting another chance at him and accepting the challenge," Stutz said. "I got off to a good start and I had good looks, but I just didn't make them."

Making shots was hardly a problem for the Shockers in their last game. Northern Iowa showed up at Koch Arena in Wichita on Wednesday coming off last Saturday's upset win over Creighton.

The Valley's best defensive team, Northern Iowa gave up 25 points before the first media timeout. Wichita State wound up posting an 82-57 victory, shooting 55.9 percent from the field and making 12 of 19 3-point baskets.

Ragland made 5 of 7 shots from beyond the arc, while David Kyles, who has been battling shooting woes, was 4 of 4 and Ben Smith 2 of 4.

"It gives people confidence and it makes you ready to play," said Smith, referring to the Shockers' hot-shot performance. "You don't even think about shooting it, you just know you're going to make it."

Contact the writer:

402-679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

twitter.com/PivOWH

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