Big 12 Tournament - Kansas State vs Baylor: Open Game Thread

Welcome to the second day of the Big 12 Tournament. Seriously. We’re still playing basketball today.

Am I talking about basketball or COIVD? Well, both. Exactly one year ago today we were wondering how much longer things could go. The Cats would then play the final game of the tournament later that night, a game that they won, a game they weren’t expected to win. A year later, and the season has finished better than expected, but it’s still not all rainbows and daisies in Manhattan. The WeberCats still only won four regular season conference games, and two of those were over last-place Iowa State.

But K-State got another shot at TCU, the team they beat last year (and the year before that, and the year before that), and won yet again (yeah, that’s 4-0 in games against TCU in the conference tourney). But this time the Cats dominated, playing their most complete game in at least a couple years. A 21-point victory should give these guys new life, and real hope they can make it one more game.

But it won’t be easy. Up next is the #2 team in the country, a team that’s lost just one game all season, their first game back from their late-season COVID break. And the Wildcats lost a lot of games by double-digits this season, but were never as fully embarrassed as they were giving up 100+ in each game against the Bears. Oh, yeah, and the brutal, record-setting 48-point loss to close out January. The Wildcats won’t be favored by any stretch of the imagination. Even all the momentum in the world doesn’t make this any less of a huge uphill climb for this squad. But there is still a chance for K-State to play a strong, competitive game, and end the season on a high note even with a loss. As long as it isn’t by double-digits.

They only thing going for K-State is that they have nothing to lose. Win and advance, or lose and go home. But zero expectations, we’re playing with house money. And maybe, just maybe, something crazy could happen.

We’ve got the second game of the day today, with a 1:33pm CT start from The Sprint T-Mobile Center that can be seen on ESPN with Bob Wischusen (play-by-play) and Fran Fraschilla (analyst) on the call. You might be able to stream the game via WatchESPN if the game isn’t blocked in your area.

If you don’t get ESPN, or can’t access the stream, you can listen to Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play) and Stan Weber (analyst) call the game on much of the K-State Sports Radio Network, and also available online via the TuneIn App and at K-StateSports.com, and satellite radio on XM 199.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

Kansas State Wildcats (9-19)

G: #21 Nijel Pack
G: #00 Mike McGuirl
G: #2 Selton Miguel
G: #3 DaJuan Gordon
F: #21 Davion Bradford

Baylor Bears (21-1)

G: #12 Jared Butler
G: #31 MaCio Teague
G: #45 Davion Mitchell
F: #0 Flo Thamba
F: #11 Mark Vital

Go Cats!