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Kansas State Basketball: The path to first Big 12 title since 2013

By Leigh Oleszczak

MANHATTAN, KS - FEBRUARY 05: K-State student section signal a three point shot as a player successfully completes one during the Big 12 regular season game between the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats, on Tuesday, February 5th, 2019 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS - FEBRUARY 05: K-State student section signal a three point shot as a player successfully completes one during the Big 12 regular season game between the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats, on Tuesday, February 5th, 2019 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Kansas State basketball is currently alone at the top in the Big 12 standings with an 8-2 record in conference play and 18-5 overall record. What does the Wildcats’ schedule look like the rest of the way?

Kansas State basketball fans had high hopes for their team this season and we’re finally seeing those hopes come true. The Wildcats had a rough start to conference play, but ever since Dean Wade returned to the lineup, they have not lost a Big 12 match-up.

Their biggest win came last week against in-state rival Kansas and they also took care of business against Baylor on the road over the weekend. That win put K-State in first place in the Big 12 and should get them a spot in the top 25 when the new rankings are released on Monday.

Here are Kansas State’s remaining games for the 2018-2019 regular season:

  • at Texas – Tuesday
  • vs Iowa State (17) – Saturday
  • at West Virginia – 2/18
  • vs Oklahoma State – 2/23
  • at Kansas (13) – 2/25
  • vs Baylor – 3/2
  • at TCU – 3/4
  • vs Oklahoma – 3/9

This is a pretty favorable schedule for the Cats, as they have just two ranked games remaining, with only one of those taking place away from Manhattan. That game is at Allen Fieldhouse just up the road, somewhere K-State has struggled at for awhile.

The other tough game that stands out is against Iowa State this coming Saturday. Kansas State went into Ames last month and were able to silence that crowd with a win. The Cyclones will be motivated to get their revenge, but this time it’ll take place at Bramlage.

Realistically, K-State can win at least five or six of these eight games. When Dean Wade is healthy, Barry Brown is clicking, and the Wildcats get a good performance out of their bench, they’re a darn good team. Wade being healthy is the key and we’ve seen that firsthand since his return.

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Yes, Kansas State dropped an ugly game to Texas A&M a few weeks ago, but hopefully that was their hiccup. They’ve played well against their Big 12 foes and the chances of them winning the conference for the first time in six years seems pretty good.

While anything can happen in these last few weeks, Kansas State fans have to be feeling pretty good about winning the conference. Yes, they still have to play in Lawrence, but we’ve witnessed that this year’s Kansas squad isn’t like the ones of yesteryear. They’re struggling and currently sit in fourth place in the conference with a 7-4 record.

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This schedule is certainly manageable for Kansas State hoops, so let’s hope they play their best ball, get the job done, and secure their first conference title in six years.

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