Kansas
Where Kansas State basketball’s March Madness résumé stands for 2024 NCAA Tournament
Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang on the NCAA Tournament
Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang contends that the Wildcats still belong in the NCAA Tournament.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There is no question in Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang’s mind that his Wildcats belong in the NCAA Tournament.
He made an impassioned case Thursday night following a lopsided 76-57 loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals for just why the Wildcats should be in the 68-team field when the bracket is revealed Sunday. Their record currently stands at 19-14.
CBS will broadcast its Selection Show at 5 p.m.
While Tang spoke eloquently, touching on all the high points of the Wildcats’ résumé, they remain the longest of longshots to hear their names called according to most bracketology experts.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had the Wildcats at No. 5 on the top teams out as of Saturday evening, and it is unlikely that they will jump Seton Hall, Indiana State, Pittsburgh or Providence in line, much less the last four in of Oklahoma, St. John’s, Virginia and New Mexico. Jerry Palm of CBS had K-State on the bubble, but not among his first four out.
Kansas State basketball rallies, turns back Texas to advance to Big 12 quarterfinals
If the Wildcats don’t get in, the biggest number working against them was their NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) ranking of 70. The only other team among Lunardi and Palm’s last four in and first four out that even dropped into the 60s was Seton Hall at 66, but the Pirates matched K-State’s five Quadrant 1 and 2 victories with a 20-12 overall record.
The fact that K-State was 7-0 in overtime games was not viewed as a positive by the NET, especially since two of them came against lowly North Alabama and Oral Roberts.
“Because we didn’t win by 30 or 40 against Quad 4 teams, that’s being held against us in the numbers and what the NET shows,” Tang said. “I was told a long time ago, just win the game, right?”
Working in the Wildcats’ favor is their five Quad 1 victories against Iowa State, Kansas, Baylor, BYU and Texas, all of which rank higher than 30 in the NET. Of the teams ahead of them in the bracketology bubble, only Providence has more with six, and K-State beat the Friars head-to-head.
Kansas State basketball freshman Dai Dai Ames earns his stripes in big win over Texas
“We have elite Quad 1 wins,” Tang said. “We have no bad losses.”
The Wildcats went into the season with higher expectations. But that was before senior forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin, their top returning player from last year, was dismissed from the team, and Samford transfer guard Ques Glover was sidelined by a knee injury.
K-State does boast three of the Big 12’s top 15 scorers in No. 8 Tylor Perry with 15.5 points per game, Arthur Kaluma in 11th with 14.7 and Cam Carter 12th at 14.7. Kaluma also is fifth in rebounding at 7.1 and David N’Guessan seventh at 6.8.
The Wildcats are still holding out hope that they somehow slip into the tournament tonight, but a more likely scenario is that they must wait until the NIT announces its picks at 8:30 p.m.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
Kansas
Three reasons why Kansas State will win; three reasons why Kansas State will lose vs. Colorado
Kansas State has one final chance to become bowl eligible. That’s Saturday against visiting Colorado.
The Wildcats have tremendous motivation to defeat Colorado and become bowl eligible. K-State has never won three straight bowl games, something that could be in play with a win over the Buffaloes as a starting point.
Another goal: K-State hasn’t had four consecutive Big 12 seasons with a winning record since 2011 to 2014. A win over Colorado would improve the Wildcats’ conference record to 5-4.
“We’ve got to try and win for these seniors,” K-State coach Chris Klieman said at a news conference this week.
“I’ve been a part of it and have seen it where you don’t win your Senior Day game, and that’s a tough locker room.
“Been a part of it where you win that game, whether it’s the last game of the season or not, and that lasting effect for those kids to be on the field and come into the locker room where they’ve spent so much time with some euphoria of winning the game is something special.”
Last Saturday, 13th-ranked Utah outscored the Wildcats, 30-16 in the second half, and scored the final 16 points of the game in the final seven minutes to take the victory. Final score: Utah 51, Kansas State 47.
Kansas State is 5-6, 4-4 Big 12. Colorado is 3-8, 1-7. Kickoff is 11 a.m. CT. K-State is a 17.5-point favorite.
For every game, we will give you three reasons the Wildcats will win, and three reasons they won’t.
In a season gone sideways, the Wildcats have plenty to play for, as mentioned above. K-State started the season ranked 17th in the AP Top 25 Preseason Poll. Ambitions ran high, with a possible Big 12 title game berth, a shot at the College Football Playoff.
That’s all gone, but K-State has plenty to play for, and before a big home crowd Saturday, the Wildcats will get the job done.
The sophomore running back was awesome against Utah. He rushed for 293 yards, a school record, on 24 carries. He had touchdown runs of 66, 80 and 24 yards. He was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, and the Wildcats’ offensive line was named the Big 12’s offensive line of the week by the conference.
“It was next level,” Klieman said. “It was something that hadn’t been done to that group at Utah for a long, long time.”
Jackson broke the school record, by one yard, owned by Darren Sproles against Louisiana in 2004. Sproles is elite company.
The Wildcats rushed for a school-record 472 yards, the most by a Division I team in a losing effort since Army ran for 534 against North Texas in a 52-49 loss on Nov. 18, 2017.
K-State is tied among Power 4 teams with seven one-score games. But the Wildcats have only won two of them. Last season, the Wildcats won 4-of-6 one-score games.
When these teams met last season at Boulder, K-State scored on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Avery Johnson to Jayce Brown with 2:14 to play. Then, the defense stopped the Buffaloes for a 31-28 victory.
K-State has fresh memories of last season’s thrilling victory. Those emotions, plus superior talent should carry the Wildcats to victory.
Colorado was 9-4 in 2024, as Deion Sanders hype overtook the nation. This year, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter in the NFL, it’s back to reality for the Buffaloes. And a hard reality it is.
Colorado is coming off a 42-17 loss to defending Big 12 champion Arizona State.
The Buffaloes have lost 6-of-7 games, the only win over No. 22 Iowa State, 24-17. Iowa State has had a rough second half of its season but the Buffaloes’ win shows they still have the capacity to pull an upset.
Colorado will start Kaidon Salter, who was the starter at the beginning of the season. Julian Lewis started the last two games but he decided to take a redshirt.
Switching quarterbacks to one with less experience often is asking for trouble. In Salter, the Buffaloes have a seasoned hand at the position.
Salter has thrown for 1,242 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has completed 113-of-178 passes (63.1 percent). He provides a threat to run the ball, too. He is the Buffaloes’ second-leading rusher with 293 yards and has the most rushing touchdowns with five.
Sanders is known as a master motivator. It’s Colorado’s final game of a lost season. Deion will pull out every motivational tactic he has gathered over a two-sport career in the NFL and Major League Baseball.
Maybe the Buffaloes can keep the score close in the second half and come out blazing in the season half.
The winner: Kansas State should be too much for a struggling Colorado team. K-State 34, Colorado 17.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Kansas
Northwest Kansas to see chance of snow during busy travel weekend
Hays Post
Today and Thanksgiving Day, the forecast calls for sunny skies and highs in the 40s.
However, after a high of 50 on Friday, a cold front is forecast to move in with a 20 percent chance of showers after midnight in Hays.
The National Weather Service calls for a chance of rain and snow showers before noon Saturday, and then a slight chance of snow showers. The high is forecast to be near 43, with wind. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
The forecast calls for a 20% chance of snow showers on Sunday, a 30% chance of snow showers on Sunday night, and a 20% chance of snow showers on Monday, with a high of 33.
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The Kansas Department of Transportation issued the following press release today about the upcoming weather and travel precautions.
Kansas Department of Transportation
Early weather forecasts from different weather services are showing the possibility of inclement weather affecting parts of Kansas as well as several northern and western states this holiday weekend.
If inclement weather does impact the highways, the Kansas Department of Transportation is ready to treat roadways as needed. KDOT employees have been preparing since September: Salt, sand and brine materials have been ordered, trucks and other equipment have undergone preventive maintenance and crews have completed training courses.
“Whatever the obstacle, KDOT crew members work together and find a way to get the job done,” said Director of Field Operations Ron Hall. “Our crews always do their best to serve the public in their efforts to clear the highways.”
Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed shared a reminder for all travelers: “Check on road conditions and weather forecasts in advance and possibly delay travel plans. It’s important to stay informed, plan ahead and travel safe.”
Resources and safety reminders for motorists:
- Road conditions: Before traveling, check KanDrive.gov, KDOT’s road condition website, which is available 24/7 and provides camera views to see current conditions. Travelers can also download the KanDrive app in the App Store or Google Play.
- Keep an eye on forecasts: Forecasts will change up to and throughout the holiday weekend. Check weather sources for updated forecasts.
- Emergency kit: Motorists are reminded to travel with a stocked emergency kit in their vehicle.
- Emergency contacts: Travelers who are stranded or need assistance can call the Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch at *47 or the Kansas Turnpike Authority at *KTA if using the turnpike. If it’s an emergency, call 911.
Kansas maintains about 9,500 miles of highways, including more than 25,000 total lane and ramp miles. Clearing snow from these highways takes time, especially while the snow is still falling.
Secretary Reed emphasized the importance of safety for the crews working to keep roads open.
“KDOT employees work challenging 12-hour shifts to remove snow and ice from the highways,” said Secretary Reed. “Don’t drive in their blind spots and give them space to work so they can focus on the job.”
Kansas
Syracuse’s upset bid comes up short again as Kansas pulls away late
Las Vegas ― For the second day in a row, the Syracuse Orange fought toe-to-toe with a heavily favored opponent, only to come up short of a big win.
One day after dropping a 78-74 overtime decision to No. 3 Houston, Syracuse fell 71-60 to Kansas on the second day of the Players Era Festival at the MGM Grand’s Garden Arena.
Making Syracuse’s performances even more remarkable is the Orange played without leading scorer Donnie Freeman, who is out with an injury to his right foot.
Kansas pulled away late, outscoring Syracuse 19 to 10 over the game’s final six minutes.
Syracuse’s record fell to 4-2 with the loss. The Orange will now wait to see if it plays on either Wednesday or Thursday, in addition to which team it will face in the final round of games of the Players Era Festival.
Players Era Festival Day 2: Syracuse vs Kansas
Tyler Betsey led Syracuse with 12 points, but the sophomore forward was 4-for-13 from the field. JJ Starling was 3-for-13 en route to his 10 points.
Syracuse couldn’t find any consistency on offense the entire game.
The Orange made field goals on consecutive possessions just once; on its first two possessions of the game.
After that, Syracuse’s scoring came in a herky-jerky fashion. There was never any flow or rhythm.
The Orange’s offensive problems weren’t helped by its continued poor shooting from the foul line. After making only 12 out of 29 free throws in Monday’s overtime loss to Houston, Syracuse went 13-for-23 at the line against Kansas. Some of those misses came on the front end of one-and-one opportunities, costing the Orange more points.
Kansas, on the other hand, went 18-for-20 at the free throw line.
But the Orange scrapped and clawed and somehow stayed in the game.
After trailing by nine points at halftime, Syracuse trimmed Kansas’ lead down to 46-40 on Kiyan Anthony’s three-point play with 13 minutes remaining.
Syracuse could have made it closer but failed to score on two straight possessions, including one that offered two chances to score, but Nate Kingz missed a 3-pointer and Naithan George couldn’t convert in the lane on the follow-up.
However, Syracuse, which had struggled to find consistent scoring for most of the game, went cold again. Two empty Syracuse possessions were bracketed by a Kansas 3-pointer and another traditional three-point play, giving the Jayhawks a 52-41 lead.
Syracuse refused to go away though. Orange center William Kyle fought his way to an offensive rebound and then slammed the ball back through a bruised rim. Then Starling swished a 3-pointer and, suddenly, the Kansas lead was down to 52-47.
Betsey, who had been cold all night, got the Orange to within 52-50 with a 3-pointer at the 6-minute mark.
But Kansas responded with an 11-0 run to which Syracuse had no answer.
Kansas and Syracuse both played without their star players. SU’s Freeman is out with an injured right foot, while Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson, who many project as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is dealing with hamstring issues.
Kansas entered Tuesday’s game unranked with a 4-2 record. However, KenPom.com rated the Jayhawks, whose losses came against North Carolina and Duke, at No. 22.
The Syracuse players lacked the physical energy and mental sharpness that they displayed in Monday’s near-upset of Houston.
Kansas took a 34-25 halftime lead after holding Syracuse to 31% field goal shooting and crushing the Orange on the boards with 26 rebounds to just 11 for SU. The Orange was fortunate that Kansas only turned those extra opportunities into 12 points.
The Orange struggled to score against Kansas, especially when attacking the basket. The Syracuse players kept running into Kansas big men Flory Bidunga and Bryce Tiller.
When Syracuse couldn’t create any good looks, the Orange settled for 3-pointers. For the half, Syracuse went 3-for-12 from long rang. Betsey, who made four 3-pointers against Houston, made only one of his seven shots from outside the 3-point line in the first half on Tuesday.
Syracuse’s defense, which was so aggressive and quick against Houston, seemed a step slower against Kansas. The Jayhawks made 14 of their 29 field goal attempts in the first half.
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