COACH: Frank Martin, four years at Kansas State, three years in NCAA tournament.
HOW THEY GOT IN: At-large bid.
GO-TO GUYS: There's but one lead-pipe lock with the Wildcats: In critical moments, the ball will be in the hands of Jacob Pullen. The senior guard was the most impactful player on any Big 12 team, carrying the Wildcats on a six-game winning streak to close the regular season. He stated during a 1-4 run to begin conference play that he would not play in the NIT. His message was misinterpreted into a selfish rant. Actually he was trying to motivate a disjointed team that has missed the chemistry it had last season with players such as point guard and Pullen sidekick Denis Clemente. Pullen can drive it and draw fouls, or bomb it and get hot. He played like an All-American over the second half of the season and is capable of putting the 'Cats on his back for extended stretches of games. He is also a great defender and has the top quality every coach wants in his on-floor captain, lifting the level of play of those around him in key moments.
X FACTOR: Forward Curtis Kelly could make or break K-State. The only other senior besides Pullen on the K-State roster, Kelly has had a checkered season to say the least. He began the year on the bench for an undisclosed disciplinary matter and then drew a six-game suspension for accepting discounted clothing. Pullen was suspended three games stemming from the same spree. Kelly's standing on the team was jeopardized by an alleged repeat violation of K-State's student-athlete handbook, but remained a starter. He is wildly inconsistent but capable of big games offensively with nice range and moves in the paint.
STRENGTHS: Kansas State closed the regular season as the best team in the Big 12 based on their level of play down the stretch — stomped Kansas at home, then won at Texas to produce two wins over top-10 teams over a two-week stretch. The jolt of confidence was somewhat tempered by a loss to Colorado in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament. But after last season's run to the West Regional final, the Wildcats could bounce back and become a tough out. Defensively the Wildcats were superb in February and March and often used that to fuel an inconsistent offense, which was changed late in the season to incorporate clear-outs and isolation or two-man game to emphasize Pullen's natural scoring mentality.
WEAKNESSES: The disconnect that was so much a part of Kansas State's disappointing descent from No. 3 in the polls to start the season seems to have faded. Still, two players quit the team, including McDonald's All-American Wally Judge, so it was evident that playing for the volatile Martin can be a test in itself. The defections, however, shortened the Wildcats' rotation, which allowed for more cohesiveness, even though Martin prefers to use more players. Fouls can be an issue, especially if referees call a game tighter than the rugged Big 12 style of play K-State is accustomed to.
