Kansas State Among ‘First Four Out’ in Latest Bracketology
The 2023-24 season has been a wild ride for the Kansas State Wildcats, and the rollercoaster continues into the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament after a 78-74 win over Texas.
The victory sets K-State up with its second matchup against Iowa State in the last five days after the Wildcats defeated the Cyclones to finish the regular season.
This matchup also gives Jerome Tang’s squad the chance to win their third consecutive Quad 1 game in less than a week, which would put them squarely in the conversation to sneak in the back door of the tournament.
The recent resurgence of K-State has made them one of the most interesting discussions as Selection Sunday looms, and Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology update shows just how close they are to breaking through.
As of Thursday morning, Kansas State has risen all the way back into the “First Four Out” after its win over Texas. With 18 of the 21 teams listed on the bubble in Lunardi’s update playing today, there are a ton of variables at play. However, considering the Wildcats were off the bubble this time last week, I’d say they’ll take it for the time being.
CBS Sports Jon Rothstein believes Kansas State would need a win today and a win tomorrow in the semi-finals to make the NCAA Tournament.
“The one thing you have to love if you’re a Big 12 team in the Big 12 Tournament and you’re on the bubble, you can stack Quad 1 wins with every single victory that you get,” Rothstein said. “Kansas State recently beat Iowa State. If Kansas State beats Iowa State again, I think they’re one more win away after that from playing their way into the field.”
However, co-host Wally Szczerbiak disagrees, saying he believes that one more win over the Cyclones will be enough.
“That’s a lot of Quad 1 wins. You compare [Kansas State’s] resume with Quad 1 wins compared to some of the other resumes that we’re looking at, they might be in if they get this Iowa State victory,” Szczerbiak said. “They’ve done an outstanding job. Jerome Tang knows how to coach up his guys in March.”
K-State (19-13) and Iowa State (24-7) will tip at 6:00 p.m. CT at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City (Mo.), with coverage provided on ESPN2.
