After a 15-16 regular season turned into 18-17 with a big run in the Big 12 Tournament, your Kansas State Wildcats secured a 2-seed in the NCAA’s newish WBIT Tournament.
The MittieCats have had an up-and-down season as one would expect from one of the youngest teams in the nation. K-State returned just one regular from last season’s Sweet 16 team, but managed to pick up wins against NCAA 5-seed Ole Miss, 7-seed Texas Tech (twice, once in Lubbock and once in Kansas City), and 8-seed Oklahoma State (twice, once in Manhattan and once in Kansas City). But some tough, and often head-scratching, losses, especially early on, doomed the Cats to a sub-.500 regular season.
But the big run in Kansas City gave these Cats new life, and there is real hope for a run in the WBIT that could at least take them to the later rounds at Koch Arena in Wichita, where they would receive an extremely warm and purple reception.
Their first-round opponent is Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets head into the contest at 14-18, but like K-State went 8-10 in conference play. Tech didn’t make it as far in the ACC tournament as the Cats did in KC, but their strong conference showing indicates they are still a tough squad. They feature All-ACC First Team pick Talayah Walker, a sophomore guard that finished third in scoring in the conference play at 19.3 ppg, and fourth overall at 17.1 ppg. She’s aided by senior guard Brianna Turnage who led the ACC in rebounding at 12.5rpg, earning her ACC All-Defensive Team honors.
This is a game that K-State should win. They have the tools and momentum, and the positive home environment. Hopefully they can keep their postseason alive tonight in Manhattan.
We’ve got a 6:30pm CT tipoff from the Bramlage Colisuem, and you can catch the action on ESPN+ with Brian Smoller (play-by-play), Missy Heidrick (analyst), and Hannah Whetstone (sideline) on the call.
If you don’t have ESPN+, the game can be heard across portions of the 28-station K-State Sports Network with Matt Walters (play-by-play) and Kristin Waller (analyst) calling the action. The game will also be available online at K-Statesports.com and via the Varsity Network app. Live stats are also available at k-statesports.com, and social media updates (@KStateWBB) will also be a part of the coverage.
Go Cats!