After many near misses, Kansas State Wildcats can make statement by reaching Sweet 16
The Kansas State women’s basketball team has been a regular in the NCAA Tournament over the past two decades, but its many trips to the postseason have all shared something painful in common.
They were too short.
K-State has reached March Madness 13 times over the past 22 years, but the Wildcats haven’t advanced beyond the Round of 32 a single time. Their last Sweet 16 appearance was in 2002.
They have been good enough to win a pair of Big 12 regular season championships and to host games in the NCAA Tournament, but they haven’t been able to string wins together in March.
It seemed like K-State was in perfect position to end that streak last season, but it suffered a home loss to Colorado in the second round. The Wildcats haven’t forgotten what that felt like.
“I think it really motivated us,” Zyanna Walker said. “We remember what we felt when we walked off the court that day, and we felt like we just let our fan base down on our home court. So we really wanted to make sure that this year it was a different turnaround.”
No. 5 seed K-State can redeem itself for that loss and turn this into a special season by defeating No. 4 seed Kentucky in a Round of 32 game at 1 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington.
Upsetting a host team to reach the Sweet 16 would make up for many of the near misses that the Wildcats have experienced in the past.
“It’s extremely motivating to go out like that, especially on your home court,” Taryn Sides said. “So we want to do the same to Kentucky tomorrow, right? They do it to you, next year turn it around.”
There is hope that K-State can make an extended run in the NCAA Tournament now that star center Ayoka Lee is back in the lineup.
The Wildcats are 19-1 when she has been healthy enough to play this season, and they throttled No. 12 seed Fairfield 85-41 with Lee on the floor in the first round on Friday. Lee scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Kentucky will provide a more formidable challenge, but K-State is up for it.
After falling a game short of the Sweet 16 last season (and many others over the past 23 years), they are hungry for another win.
This story was originally published March 22, 2025 at 5:23 PM.