SB Nation Kansas City - Kansas State Wildcats Flex Muscles At Right Time Before NCAA Tournament With Baylor Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-02-21T09:13:05-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25724362012-02-21T09:13:05-06:002012-02-21T09:13:05-06:00Kansas State Win Over Baylor Important For Fans As Well As Wildcat Team
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<p>Coming off a successful football season K-State fans had felt somewhat let down by the basketball teams performance this year. A road victory against Baylor has now changed that and given Wildcats fans a breath of fresh air.</p> <p>With a win this past Saturday in Waco, Texas the Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball team did more than simply raise their conference record back to .500 they put a badly needed spark back into their season.</p>
<p>The victory was indeed extremely important from a pure record standpoint as it gave K-State another signature victory which should help them gain a spot in this year's NCAA tournament field barring a complete year end meltdown. Maybe more important though is what the win did for the confidence and general disposition of the Kansas State fanbase.</p>
<p>Before the Baylor game, Wildcat fans were coming off a past few weeks where they had to suffer through watching some horrible stretches of basketball. Enthusiasm was low as K-State was coming off a home loss to rival Kansas where the Wildcats execution in the final few minutes could only be described as inexcusable. This performance was on the heels of a road game in Austin where the Longhorns erased a double digit second half deficit to come back and defeat K-State by double digits, a feat not easily accomplished. Even before the two losses, K-State had a home victory against Texas Tech where only the most passionate Wildcat fans could have been entertained as both teams struggled mightily to put the ball in the basket and the K-State team looked wholly uninterested in playing.</p>
<p>These two losses combined with their next two games on the road against Baylor and Missouri respectively made it look like K-State might end up in the NIT. A loss to both the Bears and Tigers would have also put K-State with a record of 6-8 in the conference and talk might have turned to how well situation the Wildcat program is moving forward under Frank Martin.</p>
<p>Add in the fact that Missouri and Kansas are both ranked in the Top 10 and it's now impossible to turn on the television or listen to sports radio in the Kansas City area without hearing about the Tigers and Jayhawks non-stop and it was enough to make Wildcat fans quite eager for spring football to arrive.</p>
<p>So while every K-State fan knows their team isn't suddenly back in the race for the Big 12 title the win allows Wildcat fans to quit worrying about making the tournament and focusing on what potential seed they might receive. Even if the Wildcats do not win a game in the NCAA Tournament K-State fans can look back on this season with a much fonder viewpoint of what was accomplished by a team where most everyone returns. It is quite amazing what one game that was decided by a single point can do in the overall landscape of a season.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-st-wildcats/2012/2/21/2813132/kansas-state-win-over-baylor-important-for-fans-as-well-as-wildcatJoe Loyd2012-02-19T07:47:49-06:002012-02-19T07:47:49-06:00Kansas State 'Should Lock Up' NCAA Tournament Spot After Upset Win Over Baylor
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<p>The <span class="caps">USA</span> 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/baylor-bears">Baylor Bears</a>, 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 <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2012/02/bubble-talk-winners-and-losers-from-weekend-games/1#.T0D8Gcxhg7Y" target="new">Nicole Auerbach says there’s no doubts</a> about the Wildcats’ post-season destination at this point.</p>
<p>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."</p>
<p>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."<i><span style="font-weight: 800;"><br></span></i></p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99951/rodney-mcgruder">Rodney McGruder</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145558/angel-rodriguez">Angel Rodriguez</a> 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.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/2/19/2809631/kansas-state-should-lock-up-ncaa-tournament-spot-after-upset-win-overMatt Conner2012-02-18T16:20:50-06:002012-02-18T16:20:50-06:00Kansas State Wildcats Flex Muscles At Right Time Before NCAA Tournament With Baylor Win
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<p>The Kansas State Wildcats already had the biggest feather in their cap this basketball season. As one of two teams to take down the mighty <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/missouri-tigers">Missouri Tigers</a>, the Wildcats already had the strongest argument for post-season seeding in the NCAA Tournament on their resume, but anyone who thought Frank Martin's squad was a fluke now has to think again with the Wildcats 57-56 win on the road at No. 9 Baylor today.</p>
<p>Before the game, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99951/rodney-mcgruder">Rodney McGruder</a> admitted the team needed a boost after losing their last two and four of their last six.</p>
<p>"We’re in a tough spot," <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/17/3436171/k-state-has-chance-to-solidify.html">he told the Kansas City Star</a>. "But there are a couple games left, so we have the opportunity to showcase what we are capable of.</p>
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<br>Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/17/3436171/k-state-has-chance-to-solidify.html#storylink=cpy</div>
<p>The Wildcats did just that, giving a Baylor team that was preseason top five and a top Big 12 contender another loss that has to make voters scratch their heads yet again at the talent on paper versus the results on the court. McGruder himself had 15 points and went 3 for 6 from three-point territory. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145558/angel-rodriguez">Angel Rodriguez</a> added another 15 points for the Wildcats.</p>
<p>Before the game, the Wildcats were in danger of a low seed and tough first round pairing. While they still need to stay consistent in the final games of the regular season and have a decent conference tournament, it's clear that K-State deserves a favored seeding in the first round. And as they venture further, it will be clear at this point that no one will take them for granted.</p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Kansas State Wildcats, be sure to check out <a href="http://bringonthecats.com/">Bring On The Cats</a>. For Baylor news and info, head over to <a href="http://ourdailybears.com/">Our Daily Bears</a>. Check out <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball">SB Nation's college basketball page</a> for all your hoops needs.</i></b></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/2/18/2808718/kansas-state-wildcats-flex-muscles-at-right-time-before-ncaaMatt Conner2012-02-18T14:49:29-06:002012-02-18T14:49:29-06:00Kansas State Vs. Baylor Final Score: Wildcats Hang On In Final Minute For 57-56 Victory Over Bears
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<p>The Kansas State Wildcats survive a crazy ending to defeat the No. 10 ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/baylor-bears">Baylor Bears</a> 57-56 on the road in Waco, Texas.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123221/perry-jones-iii">Perry Jones III</a> fouled out of the game with four minutes remaining in the game as Jones was only able to muster 4 points total for the Bears. From there, the strong play of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99951/rodney-mcgruder">Rodney McGruder</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145558/angel-rodriguez">Angel Rodriguez</a> pushed the Wildcats to the finish line. McGruder and Rodriguez went for 15 points each to give Frank Martin's team their 19th win of the season plus a signature victory over one of the top teams in America.</p>
<p>The win over Baylor should solidify the Wildats an at-large birth in the NCAA tournament in March. For Baylor, their chances of getting a top-two seed in their bracket have diminished significantly.</p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Kansas State Wildcats, be sure to check out <a href="http://bringonthecats.com/">Bring On The Cats</a>. For Baylor news and info, head over to <a href="http://ourdailybears.com/">Our Daily Bears</a>. Check out <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball">SB Nation's college basketball page</a> for all your hoops needs.</i></b></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/2/18/2808501/kansas-state-vs-baylor-final-score-wildcats-hang-on-in-final-minuteEddie Maisonet2012-02-18T13:42:36-06:002012-02-18T13:42:36-06:00Kansas State Vs. Baylor Halftime Update: Wildcats Lead 32-28 Over The Bears
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145558/angel-rodriguez">Angel Rodriguez</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99951/rodney-mcgruder">Rodney McGruder</a> both have 10 points in the first half for the Kansas State Wildcats as Frank Martin's team has a four point lead over the No. 10 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/baylor-bears">Baylor Bears</a> in Waco, Texas.</p>
<p>The Wildcats defense has done an excellent job in forcing 12 Baylor turnovers in the first half, plus they've bottled up Baylor big man Perry Jones to just 2 points thus far. The offense has been able to get players slashing to the rim and getting easy buckets as K-State is 14-of-27 from the field in the first half.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52408/quincy-acy">Quincy Acy</a> is the leading scorer for the Bears, as his 12 points and 3 rebounds has been the main source of offense for Scott Drew's team. Baylor has stayed in the game with their ability to rebound, out-boarding the Wildcats 18-12 in the first half.</p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Kansas State Wildcats, be sure to check out <a href="http://bringonthecats.com/">Bring On The Cats</a>. For Baylor news and info, head over to <a href="http://ourdailybears.com/">Our Daily Bears</a>. Check out <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball">SB Nation's college basketball page</a> for all your hoops needs.</i></b></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/2/18/2808400/kansas-state-vs-baylor-halftime-update-wildcats-lead-29-26-over-theEddie Maisonet2012-02-18T08:12:16-06:002012-02-18T08:12:16-06:00Kansas State Vs. Baylor: Game Time, TV Schedule, Radio Info
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<p>The Wildcats continue a brutal three game stretch of Top 10 opponents with a trip to Waco against Baylor, before heading to Missouri Monday.</p> <p>Kansas State (17-8, 6-7 Big 12) continues a brutal stretch of conference play, leaving home after a second Sunflower Showdown loss this season to rival Kansas to play at No. 9 Baylor (22-4, 10-2 Big 12), before heading to Columbia on Monday night to play league-leading No. 3 Missouri. </p>
<p>The stretch is only the second time in school history the Wildcats have faced three Top 10 opponents in a row, but the real competition for K State will be among the middle of the pack in the Big 12, as their bubble hopes might be in trouble. With the loss to Kansas this week, the Wildcats fell to sixth in the league, behind Texas (7-6 in the Big 12) but ahead of Oklahoma State (5-8), with only five games remaining.</p>
<p><b>Date / Time: </b>Saturday, February 18, 12:30 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Ferrell Center, Waco, Texas</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> Big 12 Network</p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> <a href="http://sportsaffiliates.learfieldsports.com/affiliates/kansas-state">Wildcats Radio Network</a></p>
<p><b>Streaming: </b><a href="http://espn3.com">ESPN3</a></p>
<p><b>Line:</b> Baylor (-7.5)</p>
<p><i>For more on the Kansas State Wildcats, be sure to check out <a href="http://bringonthecats.com">Bring On The Cats</a>. For Baylor news and info, head over to <a href="http://ourdailybears.com">Our Daily Bears</a>. Check out <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball">SB Nation's college basketball page</a> for all your hoops needs.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-st-wildcats/2012/2/18/2807883/kansas-state-vs-baylor-game-time-tv-schedule-radio-infoSteven Godfrey