Following a home loss to Colorado earlier this season, senior Jacob Pullen said he would not play in the NIT. After making the statement Pullen had his team on a roll, guiding the Kansas State Wildcats (22-10, 10-6) to six consecutive wins in the Big 12.
Heading into the Big 12 Tournament last week, the Wildcats were the hottest team in the conference after knocking off Kansas, Texas and Missouri. However, that same intensity did not follow K-State into Kansas City where Pullen and the Wildcats fell for a third time to the Colorado Buffaloes.
All season the Wildcats have been an up-and-down team. Bad losses to Colorado and Oklahoma State likely hurt their cause on Selection Sunday in NCAA Tournament seeding. Kansas State also lost key players along the way, losing McDonald’s All-American Wally Judge and transfer Freddy Asprilla.
Despite the bad losses and player transfers, Kansas State had many things working in their favor. Outside the conference, the Wildcats took on Virginia Tech, Gonzaga, Duke, Washington State, Florida and UNLV–all of whom were inside the RPI Top 100 when the season concluded.
As a result, the selection committee gave Kansas State a No. 5 seed in the Big Dance, where the Wildcats will take on the Utah State Aggies (30-3, 15-1) from the Western Athletic Conference.
Utah State is making their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance and plays a Big 12 team for the second-straight year. Last season the Aggies lost to Texas A&M 69-53 in First Round action. Historically speaking, Utah State has struggled against Big 12 teams in the tournament.
Utah State has been very impressive this season, turning in a 30-win season and finishing 15th in the RPI ratings. The Aggies certainly passed the eye test but their 122nd-ranked strength of schedule hurt their résumé.
The Aggies have played BYU, Georgetown, Long Beach State and Saint Mary’s, whom are within the RPI Top 100, and pulled away with wins in two of the four games. Their ugliest loss came at the hands of Idaho, who finished just four games above .500.
It’s almost as if both teams have something to prove headed into the First Round game in Tuscon, Arizona. The Aggies have had it easy all year with weak schedule, while Kansas State has proven they can win games against top competition.
But this will not be a cakewalk for Kansas State. In every matchup the Wildcats lost this season, they had trouble slowing down a potent-offensive attack, which is exactly what Utah State has. The Aggies have a balanced offensive attack with three players averaging double figures in scoring with Tai Wesley, Brockeith Pane and Brian Green.
Outside of their talented three is Tyler Newbold, who could present a problem for the Wildcats, along with senior Nate Bendall.
Utah State’s biggest blemish has come against physical defenses. When the Aggies are limited from the three-point line, they struggle.
Kansas State also struggles with three-point shooting units as was evidenced throughout the season in their matchups against Duke, Kansas, Colorado, Texas A&M and Missouri.
That being said, Kansas State should be able to come out victorious against the Aggies because the Wildcats match up against their starting five quite well. Not to mention, the Aggies do not have much depth with such a small rotation.
The game will take place in Tuscon, Arizona, which is close to Utah State, and is considered by many to be one of the highlight games in the first round of the tournament. Game time is set for 8:57pm Central and will be televised on truTV.
