Before Big Monday, the season looked all but over for the Kansas State Wildcats (17-9, 5-6). The Wildcats were swept by the Colorado Buffaloes for the first time in five years and slid to a 4-6 Big 12 record–all this after being selected to win the Big 12 before the season started. The Wildcats were 0-7 against teams in the Top 50 of the RPI, and their most significant wins came at Washington State and against Baylor at home.

Heading into the game against Kansas, many felt as though the Jayhawks (24-2, 9-2) were going to run over the Wildcats and add to their misery. A win at home against the No. 1 team in the nation would certainly revive Kansas State’s depleted NCAA tournament hopes and re-energize the fan base, but things looked bleak.

A loss would only solidify a NIT berth a tournament that senior guard Jacob Pullen reassured that he will play in if they were invited. “I will play anywhere,” Pullen said. “I said that comment in a heated moment to get my teammates to understand the reality. I didn’t say that comment to mean it. In my heart I will play for Kansas State regardless if it’s in the NIT or the NCAA.”

The Wildcats obviously got the memo and delivered a 84-68 victory over their in-state rivals on ESPN’s Big Monday in front of 12,528 raucous fans. The win does relieve some pressure off the Wildcats’ as they finally picked up a solid win over a formidable opponent.

Pullen had a career day, scoring 38 points while adding five rebounds and five assists. After Pullen’s performance against the Jayhawks, he sits at at 1,939 points for his career at Kansas State. He needs 177 more to become the all-time leading scorer in the history of the program.

The Wildcats are currently tied for sixth in the Big 12 with a 5-6 record, but they can easily move up with a few more wins due to the fact that the middle of the pack in the Big 12 is so similar in conference records. The Wildcats final five games are all winnable if Kansas State brings the same intensity to every game. It all starts on Saturday against the Oklahoma Sooners.

Oklahoma Sooners (12-12, 4-6) – 2/19/11

After defeating in-state rival Kansas, Pullen was already looking forward to Oklahoma this Saturday. The Wildcats have won 4 of the last 5 against the Sooners, but the most recent loss to Oklahoma came at home.

“Last year we beat the No. 1 team and then relaxed and lost at home the next game,” Pullen said. “We want to try and avoid that this year.”

The Wildcats have their share of bad losses. The best way for Kansas State to stay in the NCAA tournament talks is not add another bad loss. A win in this game will put the Wildcats at .500 for the first time all season.

The Wildcats have only lost one game at home (Curtis Kelly was serving the last game of his suspension). The game against the Jayhawks helped establish a nice rotation for coach Frank Martin and the Wildcats which should continue to aid them down the road.

@ Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-8, 4-6) – 2/23/1

As stated previously, the Wildcats need to take care of business to keep their tournament hopes alive. In the last meeting against Nebraska, Kansas State used their stifling defense to overcome the Cornhuskers at home.

However, the Wildcats are traveling to Nebraska this time around. The Cornhuskers have dropped just one home game all season.

The Wildcats have had trouble away from home all season, winning just two of their seven road games. Kansas State will have to rely on its defense to give it a boost against a very good Nebraska team in Lincoln.

Missouri Tigers (20-6, 6-5) – 2/26/11

During the last meeting against Missouri the Wildcats didn’t take care of the ball and that translated into easy points for the Tigers and a rout of Kansas State. This time around the game means so much to the Wildcats’ tournament hopes against another formidable opponent at home.

Picking up a win here would add to the already improved bubble resume and could then lift Kansas State off the bubble. However, before the Wildcats can think about picking up a win against a tough Missouri team, they’ll need to take care of the ball.

The Wildcats should use their home court advantage against a Mizzou team that has dropped every road game in Big 12 play, as well as being 1-10 in true road games.

This game is very winnable for Kansas State and should help their tournament causes if Mizzou is still ranked in a few weeks.

@ Texas Longhorns (22-3, 10-0) – 2/28/11

Last time Kansas State played Texas in Austin, the Wildcats came away with an overtime win led by Denis Clemente’s 44 points. That year, Texas was ranked No. 12 at the time and had a solid core of great players. Just last year, the Wildcats used stifling defense to stun the then-No. 1 Longhorns in Manhattan.

This year, the Wildcats could certainly benefit from playing Texas. Texas is undefeated and untested in the Big 12 thus far. They have lost just one game at home this season.

In a blowout loss to USC, Texas was held to 26 percent from beyond the arc and superstar Hamilton turned in just 12 points on a 4-of-13 night.

Kansas State has certainly showed potential to play physical defense and should be able to utilize their athleticism, and energy on defense to give the Longhorns a run for their money.

It’s certainly a winnable game for Kansas State if the Wildcats win the battle on the defensive end.

Iowa State Cyclones (14-11, 1-9) – 3/5/11

Kansas State will once again end the season at home against Iowa State. The Cyclones’ 14-11 record could easily be 20-5, with six games decided by six points or less. The Cyclones are better than their record indicates and despite holding home court advantage, the Wildcats will have a tough one on hand.

Against the Cyclones in Ames, IA earlier this season, Diante Garrett poured in 23 points to go along with eight rebounds. Kansas State will need to have a great gameplan to slow down this high-powered offense led by Garrett.

Last year, the Cyclones came into Bramlage on senior night and stole a victory. Kansas State has to take this Iowa State team seriously if they expect to pull out a win this time around.

This game could be crucial to the Wildcats’ tournament hopes. Another bad loss could ruin the chances of receiving a bid.

The Wildcats certainly still has a chance to make their resume even more appealing to the Selection Sunday committee if they can pick up wins at home against Missouri, who struggles on the road, and against Texas in Austin.