Kansas State Basketball: Waiting for Tourney Invitation

Feb 11, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Wesley Iwundu (25) reacts to a call during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Wesley Iwundu (25) reacts to a call during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas State led the Big 12 Conference semifinals most of the night. The Wildcats lost on a West Virginia free throw with 19 seconds left.

Now they must wait for word on who, where, when or if they will play in the NCAA Tournament.

Bruce Weber’s team did everything they could to advance to Saturday’s Big 12 Tournament title game. They were outscored 24-11 over the last 13 minutes in a crushing loss.

Feb 11, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Wesley Iwundu (25) reacts to a call during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Wesley Iwundu (25) reacts to a call during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

I thought a Wildcat win would earn them an at large NCAA Tourney bid. As a result, the loss probably has them in the play-in game.

Early Saturday, CBS bracketologist Jerry Palm had the ‘Cats on the bubble and among the last 4 in.

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has 6 Big 12 teams getting into the tournament and the ‘Cats also among the last 4 in.

The difficult part now is waiting, worrying and wondering until we know for sure on Sunday afternoon.

For the third time in five seasons Bruce Weber’s Wildcats have won at least 20 games. This season’s team was impressive Thursday night.

The Wildcats advanced to the Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference semifinals with an upset of Baylor. Weber’s team beat the Bears for the second straight time.

Remember what fans were thinking after the ‘Cats lost by 30 at Oklahoma on February 25?

They were furious and wanted change. They wanted a new Wildcat basketball coach.

More from Jug of Snyder

Weber is not a fan favorite but what he did with this Kansas State team over the past two weeks is special.

On February 25, the ‘Cats season was finished. The second half of the game in Norman was one of the worst in Kansas State Basketball history.

The kids have worked hard and deserve a trip to the dance. Let’s hope they get some good news on Sunday afternoon.

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