Record:
Head coach: Bruce Weber (2nd season)
Season summary: A year after leading to the Wildcats to their first conference title in 36 years, head coach Bruce Weber has brought his squad back to the Big Dance to improve upon last year's first round exit. In his sophomore effort, Weber avoided potential struggles in the seven-bid Big 12 conference, finishing 10-8 thanks largely to the performances of lightly-recruited freshmen Marcus Foster and Wesley Iwundu. Foster leads Kansas State in scoring with 15.6 points per game and played a major role in the Wildcats' midseason 10-game win streak. During that streak, Foster put up 17 points and eight rebounds against then-No. 6 Oklahoma State and and 14 points along with six boards against then-No. 21 Gonzaga. Kansas State also boasts victories against Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Iowa State, but the Wildcats have lost their last three games heading into the tournament. Center Thomas Gipson is the only other player averaging double figures for Kansas State, but the Wildcats distribute the ball well, ranking 27th in the nation in assists per game. In moving 6-foot-7 senior Shane Southwell to the bench, Weber has a veteran scorer averaging 9.7 points per game ready to go.
How they make a run: Iwundu plays more consistently—he scored just four points in the last two games and has been held scoreless three times this season—and Foster has help carrying the load.
How they falter: Kansas State's steadfast defense breaks down, and the Wildcats, who average just 69.7 points per game, can't keep up.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.