Kansas State A Nine Seed In Joe Lunardi’s 2013-14 Bracketology
By Dave Thoman
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
With the announcement on Tuesday that Andrew Wiggins will attend KU dramatically shifting Vegas betting lines on the favorites to win the 2013-14 national championship, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi took to the internet to update his rankings released in April after the national championship. Holding down a #9 seed in his Bracketology predictions are the Kansas State Wildcats.
It’s interesting that K-State has not moved much since the April 17th standings, staying in the Midwest Region while dropping from eight to nine and garnering a matchup with New Mexico rather than Wichita State. It’s interesting due to the defections that have occurred this spring. While Adrian Diaz and Michael Orris had already announced their intentions to transfer before April 17, point guard and main cog Angel Rodriguez was still anticipated to be with the Wildcats (he has since stated he will finish his college career with the Miami Hurricane).
It’s difficult to tell whether Lunardi doesn’t believe the Rodriguez defection is that important or if he’s simply not paying attention (both are plausible). The loss of Rodriguez has been lamented several times over by both media following K-State and the rest of the league in that his departure significantly lowers the upper echelon talent in the Big 12. And, of course, a ranking in May means absolutely nothing. All the same there appears to be a belief that K-State will fall a bit with the departures of seniors like Rodney McGruder and Jordan Henriquez, but Bruce Weber’s ability to respond with another strong season remains among the experts.