Last week Kansas State pre-season All-American guard Jacob Pullen said that if the Wildcats were to make the NIT, he "wasn't going to be playing." If that's the case, Pullen might be about to embark on the final six weeks of collegiate career.
Missouri, who had also stumbled early in conference play, used a relentless offensive attack and precision passing in the transition game, as well as a spectacular effort from freshman point guard Phil Pressey as Missouri sent the Wildcats to their third defeat in four conference tries. Kansas State fell to 13-6 (1-3) with the loss, and now finds themselves in a very precarious place in regards to even making the NCAA Tournament.
Things are bleak now, but certaintly not over. Don't forget there are an extra four bids hanging out there this season as the tourney expands it's field for the first time since 1985. Frank Martin could wind up being the coach most saved from embarrassment by the addition of the four teams, but the most troubling thing for Wildcat fans is that they haven't even played Texas A&M, Texas or Kansas (twice) yet!
It is going to take a dramatic change of fortune in Manhattan to avoid a catastrophic NIT berth, a Jacob Pullen-less NIT at that, in a season the began with K-State entering with their highest preseason ranking (#3) in school history. Those high hopes have quickly turned into a big nightmare in the Little Apple.
Up next, the Wildacts continue the gauntlet of Big 12 play with a trip to College Station, a visit from Baylor, and a trip to Lawrence to take on the 18-0 Jayhawks.
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