It’s the biggest game yes, as the Wildcats and Horned Frogs square off in Bramlage.
Make no mistake, this is the biggest game of the season for your Kansas State Wildcats.
Of course they’re all “big games” in a loaded Big 12, especially when your goal is the conference crown. But this one is different. It’s very likely the defacto regular season championship game. The MittieCats, sitting at #12/11 in the country with a record of 21-2 and 9-1 in Big 12 play, are set to face off against the TCU Horned Frogs — who sit at #9.9 in the country with a record of 21-2 and 9-1 in Big 12 play. It doesn’t get bigger than this.
The Wildcats are riding high again after two big rivalry wins over the last week following their first conference loss. First it was the overtime win against Iowa State in Bramlage that finally got that monkey off their backs, and then they followed it up with what became a crushing win over KU in Allen Fieldhouse.
TCU is in a very similar stretch. Three games ago was a surprising loss to Oklahoma State on the road, but they’ve followed it with a big win over Baylor at home, and a strong win over Iowa State in Ames this past Sunday. The difference between the two right now is marginal, and their difference in rankings is due to the Frogs wins over NC State and Notre Dame back in the non-con. But they also got absolutely crushed (as most do) by South Carolina.
This is a toss-up game if there every was one. Both teams are led by strong and smart point guards — Hailey Van Lith for the Frogs and Serena Sundell for the Cats. TCU does have a big advantage in the paint right now, with super-senior Sedona Prince leading the way inside. But the Cats managed to deal with Audi Crooks without the services of Ayoka Lee, and should be able to at least slow down the Frogs big post.
The winner of this game has the lead in the Big 12, as possibly for good. This is the only time the two play in the regular season. Both teams have tough games remaining, but nothing of this caliber. Winner gets 1st place alone, while the loser has to hope the other slips up somewhere.
Edge goes to the Cats at home. It should be a packed house. Hopefully the home team prevails.
We’ve got a 6:30pm CT tipoff for the game this evening from Bramlage Coliseum, and (somebody really screwed up by not swapping this to an actual network) you can catch the action on ESPN+ with Brian Smoller (play-by-play), Missy Heidrick (analyst), and Sophie Smith (sidelines) on the call. The only benefit to this game being on ESPN+ is we get to listen to the excellent Brian Smoller and his dulcet bass tones.
If you can’t access the stream, the game can be heard across portions of the 28-station K-State Sports Network with Matt Walters (play-by-play) and Kristin Waller (analyst) calling the action. The game will also be available online at K-Statesports.com and via the Varsity Network app. Live stats are also available at k-statesports.com, and social media updates (@KStateWBB) will also be a part of the coverage.
Go Cats!