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Yes, K-State is still alive in the NCAA Tournament. It’s just the half hardly anyone cares about.
But we do!
Today will be a tough test for our fine ladies as they take on a very strong and possibly under-seeded squad looking for legitimacy after whitewashing their own conference.
The Game: The seventh-seeded Kansas State Wildcats (22-10, 11-7 Big 12) host the tenth-seeded Drake Bulldogs (28-4, 18-0 Valley) in the first round of the Lexington Regional of the 2017 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament. K-State leads the all-time series 12-7, but the series was once tied up at 6. This is Jeff Mittie’s first meeting with the Bulldogs, and the same is true of Drake’s fifth-year head coach Jennie Baranczyk.
Baranczyk has ties to K-State, however; she served on the coaching staff under Deb Patterson from 2004-06 before moving on to Marquette and Colorado. Baranczyk is seeking her 100th career win today. Drake has improved by at least three wins every year since Baranczyk took over.
Drake is explosive offensively, led by the Valley’s player of the year, forward Lizzy Wendell (Blue Springs, Mo.), and her 21-plus points per game. Freshman guard Becca Hittner adds another dozen per contest.
Where: Bramlage Coliseum (12,528), Manhattan, Kan.
When: approximately 2:30pm CT, following Stanford/New Mexico State
TV: Regional coverage on ESPN2, with Brenda VanLengen and Carol Ross.
Radio: Select K-State Sports Network outlets, including WIBW 580 in Topeka.
Streaming: WatchESPN.