The Wildcats are in the desert to face off against the Sun Devils while looking to keep their hot streak going.
Things have certainly changed in the last couple weeks for the Kansas State Wildcats. A metamorphosis. A group of dudes that couldn’t put it together has suddenly, and ferociously, turned into a team. And a really good one. So good that over the last three games, they’ve rated as one of best teams in the nation.
That three-game stretch was capped by the improbable 80-61 win in Ames that snapped a 15-game road losing streak for the TangCats, but also snapped a 29-game home win streak by the Cyclones. The 19-point win was also the largest-ever for the Wildcats over a Top 5 team on the road, and second largest overall — behind a 20-point win in early 1951.
Now the question for the suddenly hot Wildcats (10-11, 4-6 Big 12) is can they keep this up? The results the past three weeks came from aggressive play on both ends. Attacking the basket (then finding shooters when the defense collapses), getting rebounds, harassing on defense, and limiting un-forced turnovers. It’s a recipe for success that could win them a lot of games down the stretch. But they have to keep up the effort and intensity every game — no easy feat.
This is a trap game for sure. A test of whether or not the Cats can keep things going when rivalries are not on the line. Arizona State enters tonight at 12-9, and 3-7 in Big 12 play but two of the Sun Devils three conference wins are over bottom-feeder Colorado. Despite that, they are still incredibly dangerous 00 as are most teams in the Big 12. Especially to a K-State team riding a hot streak and with the big game looking next weekend. The Sun Devils also feature one of the best 3pt defenses in the nation, countering another recent surge to good form from the Wildcats.
Regardless, the K-State team that showed up for the last three games, the new-look TangCats, should win this going away and get back to .500 overall. But they have to keep attacking the basket. They have to keep rebounding and playing good defense. And they have to keep mistakes to a minimum.
And they cannot look ahead.
We’ve got a 9:00pm CT tipoff for the game tonight from Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, and you can catch the action on ESPN+ with Pete Sousa (play-by-play) and Scott Williams (analyst) on the call.
If you can’t access the stream, the game can be heard across portions of the 28-station K-State Sports Network with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play) and Stan Weber (analyst) calling the action. The game will also be available online at K-Statesports.com and via the Varsity Network app, as well as on satellite radio on SiriusXM Ch. 388. Live stats are also available at k-statesports.com, and social media updates (@KStateMBB) will also be a part of the coverage.
Go Cats!