NCAA Tournament Bubble Watch: Kansas State Looks to Go Dancing

The Kansas State Wildcats (18-13 overall and 8-10 in the Big 12) are looking to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016. 

In the season finale on Saturday, the Wildcats pulled off a much-needed upset win over the No.6 Iowa State Cyclones.

The win gave the team the boost needed to improve their tournament chances. However, their poor record against teams in the Big 12 may have contributed to their fighting to get in. 

Still, despite a shotty resume, the team hopes to clinch a NCAA tournament berth with a strong showing in the Big 12 tournament later this week.  

Kansas State Resume

Kansas State finds itself ranked 70 in the Net Ranking. 

All things considered, they have had a strong season behind the play of Taylor Perry, who has proven to show up big-time for the Wildcats when they needed him most. 

Despite their poor conference record, K-State still has some big wins on their resume that gives them a solid case for a Tournament bid.

They have an overtime win over the No.9 Kansas Jayhawks back on February 5th and other significant wins include a 68-64 at home win against Baylor on January 16th. They defeated BYU 84-74 and had a 73-70 win on the road against Providence. 

They do have quality wins on their resume, but it's a matter of getting it done in the Big 12 Tournament to decide their fate. 

Related Article: NCAA Tournament Bubble Watch: Can the Aggies Make the Big Dance?

How Kansas State could get in the NCAA Tournament 

K-State could be selected on Sunday if they have a solid showing or win out in the Big 12 Tournament. 

Kansas State, the number 10 seed, is slated to take on Texas on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament after cinching a bye against Iowa State.

A win over Texas isn't guaranteed as Texas won 62-56 in a head-to-head match against the Wildcats on February 19th in Austin.

Getting past the Longhorns would set them up with a rematch against Iowa State. 

If they could beat the Cyclones, then that would increase their chances greatly, but the only sure path is to win the Big 12 Championship and get an automatic bid.

Read More: NCAA Tournament Bubble Watch: Will the Providence Friars Go Dancing?

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