On December 1st, Kansas State scored 120 points in a drama-free win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff that took them to 6-2 on the season. The Wildcats, who entered the year with solid expectations, would then lose all but one of their next ten games, including a brutal start to Big 12 play.
Fast forward three weeks later and this Kansas State team is evidence on how quickly a season can turn around. The Wildcats were 7-11, with a 1-6 mark in the Big 12 and with no business to sniff any postseason play. They’ve now won six consecutive games, with four of them over ranked foes including Tuesday’s close battle against Arizona.
While Kansas State isn’t exactly getting what they expected from new faces like Coleman Hawkins, they’ve gotten great play from David N’Guessan, who’s had a critical role in this winning streak. This offense has played much more efficient basketball, with outstanding long-range shooting against Oklahoma State and at Iowa State before more recent efforts against Kansas and Arizona.
When they lost to Baylor three weeks ago, Kansas State had a NET of just 115 and a resume that lacked anything of value. Each of their last four games have been Quad 1 victories, as the Wildcats won as underdogs in each matchup to salvage their chances at the postseason. We won’t have updated NET values until Wednesday morning, but you can expect that NET in the high 60’s, a remarkable increase over a three week span.
Former Michigan guard Dug McDaniel scored 24 points on Tuesday night and his play of late is another reason why Jerome Tang’s team is alive for the NCAA Tournament. Tang surprised the country with an Elite Eight two years ago in his first head coaching season, but dragging this team left for dead to March Madness would be just as shocking.
Can the Wildcats get themselves into the Big Dance? They have seven remaining games and four of them are currently Quad 1 opportunities, including the season finale rematch with a hungry Iowa State team. We’re not even saying that this team has to win out, but they’re back on the bubble and each prominent win makes it more possible to see the Wildcats dancing in just over a month.