Instant takeaways: Kansas State grabs massive win over Texas
One step forward, two steps back for Kansas State
It wasn’t a great start for Kansas State, but they weathered the storm and came back enough to grab a 16-12 lead on Texas. Unfortunately, that was followed by a 14-0 run from the Longhorns and they led the remainder of the second half.
K-State even erased a couple double-digit Texas leads, but each time they couldn’t hold it or keep it close. So while they took steps forward, erased leads and prevented it from getting out of hand when it could have quickly, they’d give up all the progress in the ensuing minutes.
It actually felt like a microcosm of the Kansas State season. They’d get punched in the mouth this year and feel like all hope was lost. But then they’d give the fans reason to believe only for those dreams to be crushed immediately afterwards.
That was absolutely the case until the second half arrived and they flipped the switch.
Backs against the wall
Earlier in the week K-State head coach Jerome Tang mentioned that he was okay with his having his team feeling like their backs were against the wall. He thought they’ve been better this season when they had that approach.
And he’s right. But there was evidence of it during the game like mentioned above. Every time they erased a Texas lead or when they took the lead themselves, they relaxed. Is that because they felt good and didn’t have that same sense of urgency?
It’s not a great excuse. We have heard the Kansas State coaches and players pointing out relaxing too much on more than one occasion this year. They saved another time for the first half at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
They finally dropped the act in the second half. The coaching staff went to the drawing board at the break and dialed up a perfect defense that took the shots the Longhorns wanted away. Instead of Texas shooting the shots they wanted, they were shooting the ones that K-State wanted them to take.
Conversely, the shot selection improved for the Wildcats as well. They were getting in the paint, attacking the rim, getting the calls and going to the free throw line and knocking down a couple huge three-pointers as well.
Dai Dai Ames game
Look, it took more than Dai Dai Ames for Kansas State, but he was a large part in the comeback win for the Wildcats. He was terrific at creating space. He was terrific at getting to the rim. He was terrific at creating for others. He knocked down shots.
His final tally read 10 points on 4 of 9 shooting to go along with two rebounds and three assists.
Staying alive
A sensational second half where K-State out-scores Texas by 14 in the second half and commit just two second half turnovers means the NCAA Tournament hopes remain alive for the Wildcats. They are building a better and better case for themselves and have a golden opportunity to stake their clam with a win Thursday over Iowa State.
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