The Kansas State Wildcats travel to Boulder on Wednesday for another Big 12 conference matchup against the Colorado Buffaloes. With the postseason approaching, Kansas State can’t afford to let this one slip away.
Colorado enters the matchup fresh out of an 83-62 win over Oklahoma State, chasing its second win in the last five games. The Buffaloes have lacked consistency in conference play, but on the road in the Big 12, every challenge is magnified.
Three keys to victory for Kansas State vs. Colorado
If Kansas State wants to leave Boulder with a win, it starts with discipline on both ends of the floor.
The key to slowing down Colorado starts on the perimeter. Barrington Hargress, one of the Buffaloes’ starting guards, is shooting a staggering 50% from three-point range. He knocked down 3-of-6 from deep and scored 16 points against the Cowboys.
Hargress also poured in 20 points while shooting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc against BYU. If Kansas State allows him clean looks like they did Cincinnati, Colorado’s offense becomes much harder to contain. Limit his touches, contest every shot, and force the Buffaloes to beat themselves – that’s the formula.
Pair that defensive intensity with the offensive rhythm Kansas State showed against Baylor, and there’s a clear path to success.
Win the rebounding battle and eliminate second chances
Colorado ranks near the bottom of the Big 12 in total rebounds per game, but still averages 35 per contest. Yes, that number ranks towards the bottom. Shocking as it may be, it’s not a number to overlook. More importantly, the Buffaloes rank fifth in the conference in defensive rebounding percentage.
Bangot Dak, one of Colorado’s starting forwards, averages 6.6 rebounds per game and has grabbed as many as 13 in a single outing this season against Texas Tech. When Dak is active on the glass, Colorado typically controls tempo and limits second-chance points.
For Kansas State, that means finishing possessions. One shot, a rebound if you’re lucky and done. If Dak gets comfortable cleaning up misses, or the offensive boards stack up in favor of the Buffaloes, the Wildcats will spend too much time defending.
Avoid late-game turnovers and defensive breakdowns
Everyone saw how Kansas State’s 84-82 loss to TCU unfolded. After building an 18-point lead, the Wildcats surrendered control in the final 45 seconds with turnovers on three straight possessions.
Those late-game lapses can’t resurface in Boulder.
Colorado may not sit near the top of the Big 12 standings, but it’s a team capable of capitalizing on mistakes — especially at home. The Buffaloes are playing at a higher level than during their six-game skid in mid-January, and Kansas State will need poise to close this one out.
With the Big 12 Tournament looming, this is the type of road test that can define momentum heading into March.
Bookmark Jug of Snyderand follow us on X with the username @JugofSnyder and on Facebook@ksujugofsnyder.