MANHATTAN — Kansas State basketball is slowly starting to attract some attention as they work towards a possible NCAA Tournament bid. Following a solid 81-73 win against the No. 17-ranked Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday at the packed Bramlage Coliseum, the Wildcats have pulled off five consecutive victories. Their record now stands at 12-11 overall and 6-6 in the Big 12, marking their first time above .500 since early January.
However, the question remains: Is their late-season surge enough for a shot at the Big Dance? Kansas head coach Bill Self, whose team fell short in Manhattan for the third straight year, believes that anything is possible but is cautious about the Wildcats’ chances. “God, everybody’s a possibility,” said Self. “They don’t have much margin for error, I wouldn’t think, but if they play that then they’re going to have a chance to win a lot of games.” This perspective reflects uncertainty as both teams gear up for an intense finish to the season.
Kansas State certainly has their work cut out for them as they prepare to face No. 20-ranked Arizona at Bramlage on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Notably, three of the Wildcats’ five victories during this streak came against ranked opponents, including this weekend’s upset over Kansas. Self commented, “That team out there today didn’t look like a 12-11 team,” showcasing his respect for the Wildcats’ recent performances.
Wildcats forward Coleman Hawkins remains optimistic about the team’s potential, saying, “I feel like we’ve been one. We just haven’t put it together, and we let some games slip.” He added that as they’ve started to secure wins more consistently, confidence is rising, and the team is starting to heat up at the right time.
Meanwhile, K-State coach Jerome Tang echoed this measured optimism. He has long believed in the team’s ability to compete at a high level, stating, “I felt we were a tournament team when we put the team together.” He emphasized that the focus is squarely on the next game, underlining the need for continuous improvement and hard work.
Point guard Dug McDaniel closed with a pragmatic note, reminding everyone, “The job’s not finished. We can’t dwell on this anymore.” As they celebrate their recent success, this mantra of taking things one day at a time is what will guide the Wildcats as the season progresses.
