1980–81 Wichita State Shockers men's basketball team

1980–81 Wichita State Shockers men's basketball
MVC regular season champions
NCAA tournament, Elite Eight
ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
Record26–7 (12–4 MVC)
Head coach
Home arenaLevitt Arena (10,506)
1980–81 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Wichita State 12 4   .750 26 7   .788
Creighton 11 5   .688 21 9   .700
Tulsa 11 5   .688 26 7   .788
Drake 10 6   .625 18 11   .621
Bradley 10 6   .625 18 9   .667
New Mexico State 7 9   .438 10 17   .370
West Texas State 7 9   .438 16 11   .593
Indiana State 4 12   .250 9 18   .333
Southern Illinois 0 16   .000 7 20   .259
1981 MVC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

The 1980–81 Wichita State Shockers men's basketball team represented Wichita State University in the 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They played their home games at the University of Wichita Field House. They were in their 36th season as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and 75th season overall. They were led by head coach Gene Smithson in his third season at the school. They finished the season 26–7, 12–4 in Missouri Valley play to finish in first place. They received a bid to the 1981 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the regional finals before falling to LSU.