11. KANSAS STATE (25-9)
How it got here: Defeated Montana State (14), Kentucky (6)
Up next: Michigan State (7)
BetMGM title odds: +2500
Outlook: Projected to finish last in the Big 12 in Jerome Tang’s debut season, Kansas State exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. The Wildcats finished two games out of first place in the league, claimed a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and then outlasted Kentucky to advance to the Sweet 16. The high of watching Markquis Nowell erupt for 27 points had Tang spitting straight fire when asked about beating a traditional power like John Calipari’s Wildcats. “All those old dudes that played for Kentucky? They ain’t coming back,” Tang said. “Tradition does not help you if you don’t get out there on the floor and play with some dudes. We had more dudes than they did today.
How it got here: Defeated Montana State (14), Kentucky (6)
Up next: Michigan State (7)
BetMGM title odds: +2500
Outlook: Projected to finish last in the Big 12 in Jerome Tang’s debut season, Kansas State exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. The Wildcats finished two games out of first place in the league, claimed a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and then outlasted Kentucky to advance to the Sweet 16. The high of watching Markquis Nowell erupt for 27 points had Tang spitting straight fire when asked about beating a traditional power like John Calipari’s Wildcats. “All those old dudes that played for Kentucky? They ain’t coming back,” Tang said. “Tradition does not help you if you don’t get out there on the floor and play with some dudes. We had more dudes than they did today.
