Today is the day Wildcat fans, Kansas State will play their first game in the Big 12 Tournament, and it is now or never. If Kansas State wants to make a run to get into the NCAA Tournament, their run in the Big 12 Tournament will decide their fate.
If Kansas State loses today, they can kiss their March Madness hopes goodbye. However, if they win today, they will have a date with No. 2 Iowa State, a team they beat at home at the end of the regular season.
Preview: Texas
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) March 12, 2024
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Kansas State is 16-24 in the Big 12 Tournament and has only been to two championship games going 0-2 in both, losing to the Kansas Jayhawks both times. Based on thier history, things don't necessarily look good for K-State, especially after thier performance last season in the Big 12 Tournament.
Last season, Kansas State went into the tournament as a three-seed but was upset in the quarterfinals by sixth-seed TCU after receiving a first-round bye. The Wildcats were all the hype last season because they were so successful with a first-year head coach and a whole new roster.
Kansas State was the victim of an upset last season, but this season they can change that by delivering the upset. This is a different team that has had its struggles all season long. They struggle with turnovers and when they go cold from the field, they struggle to get string buckets together.
When Kansas State faced Texas earlier this season, the Longhorns came away with the win 62-56. Texas had many opportunities to put the game away, but Jerome Tang's squad kept fighting to stay within striking distance. Ultimately, Kansas State just could not do enough away from home to get the win, but Tang was happy with his team's play and their ability to fight.
It is no secret that Kansas State likes to play at home. They like to have the crowd behind them, they can feed off that energy and play better than what they normally do. No, the Wildcats will not be playing at home, but they are playing in Kansas City, MO, which is just a couple of hours away from Manhattan.
Fans will be willing to travel and support the Wildcats, which I believe will give them the edge in this game. However, Kansas State can not just rely on the crowd to give them energy, they need to find it themselves because, at this point, it is win or go home.
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— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) March 13, 2024
If Kansas State wants to win today, there are a few things that need to happen. The Wildcats need to take care of the basketball. Turnovers have plagued this team all season long, so if they keep turnovers to a minimum and cause more or at least and equal amount of turnovers, they have a solid chance. They also need to capitalize on turnovers they force. Points off turnovers were a big reason K-State won the game against Iowa State late in the season.
The big three also need to all have a solid game to ensure a win. If two of the big three can have big games, they have a good chance of winning, but if all three get going, Texas won't be able to stop them. Arthur Kaluma and Cam Carter combine for 45 points against Iowa State with Tylor Perry creating a lot of those scoring opportunities.
It is win or go home, let the madness begin.
How to watch
Channel: ESPN+ I Fubo TV
Date: Wednesday, March 13
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Radio: K-State Sports Network
Venue: T-Mobile Center