The USA Today took a look back at college basketball games over the weekend and declared Kansas State the biggest winners as the Wildcats went on the road at Waco and upset the Baylor Bears, who were ranked No. 9, with a 57-56 win. While Missouri is K-State’s biggest win of the season, the Baylor one falls close behind and Nicole Auerbach says there’s no doubts about the Wildcats’ post-season destination at this point.
She writes, "The Wildcats got a win in the middle of the toughest part of their schedule. Beating Baylor on the road should just about lock up Kansas State’s spot in the field (barring a total collapse). Wildcats now have wins over Baylor, Missouri, Alabama, Texas and Long Beach State. Those are some quality Top 50 wins right there."
Jeff Borzello of CBS agrees and writes, "I wrote last week that Kansas State needed to get one its "big three" games: Kansas, Baylor and Missouri ... They now own wins over Missouri and Baylor, along with decent scalps against Alabama, Texas and Long Beach State. Moreover, today's win will likely vault Kansas State into the top 50 of the RPI, where it's a lot more comfortable. At 7-7 in the Big 12, the Wildcats are in much better shape than they were this morning. Really, really good win."
Rodney McGruder and Angel Rodriguez both scored 15 points in the win over the Bears, and the game could not have come at a better time. The Wildcats had lost four of their last six games, and momentum means everything this time of year.