Kansas State Can Still Earn Ticket to Big Dance
By Stan Unruh
Kansas State lost their third straight game on Wednesday. Iowa State’s 87-79 season sweep handed the Wildcats their 6th loss in 7 games.
It’s been a roller coaster season for Bruce Weber’s team. Big wins over Baylor and West Virginia were impressive. Wednesday’s home loss to Iowa State was especially disappointing.
It left Kansas State near the bottom of the Big 12 standings heading into Saturday’s game at Texas –another struggling team.
Even after the recent the upset of Baylor, the Wildcats were getting little love from NCAA bracket experts.
It is going to take a strong showing over the last 5 regular season games, including 3 on the road, to secure their place in the NCAA tournament field.
With no games against the top-25 left, Kansas State has little opportunity to get much attention..
Considering they’ve won 16 games, the ‘Cats should get to the 20-win mark. However, they can’t play like they did in the loss to Iowa State. This team has the talent to get the job done.
At this point, Kansas State’s overall season resume hasn’t convinced everyone they deserve to dance in March.
In the most recent bracket predictions, CBS has Kansas State as a bubble team sitting as a number 10 seed in the west regional.
Bruce Weber’s guys would open against Minnesota, according to CBS. If they advance, they would face former Kansas coach Roy Williams’ North Carolina squad or Belmont in Orlando.
ESPN’s Bracket guru Joe Lunardi thinks seven Big 12 teams will earn a trip to the tournament. He has the ‘Cats as a #11 seed this week but in the South Regional at Orlando to open against Notre Dame.
He has the Wildcats facing Florida if they both advance. Wow, a game against the Gators in Orlando.
Next: Busy February for K-State Football
Fox Sports isn’t sold on the Wildcats as a tournament team. They currently expect only 6 teams from the Big 12 in the tournament and Kansas State is listed as among the first 4 out along with Texas Tech and Tennessee- a team that beat the ‘Cats earlier this month.
The Wildcats must make the most of every opportunity over the next two weeks and may need a strong Big 12 tournament showing to get in the tournament.