Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament Texas vs. Kansas State Preview
Here is everything you need to know about Texas and Kansas State in our Longhorns vs. Wildcats Big 12 Tournament men’s basketball second-round preview.
GAME 5: NO. 7 Texas (20-11) VS. NO. 10 KANSAS STATE (18-13)
Time, TV: 6 p.m. CT Wednesday, ESPN+
Location: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Season series (TEXAS LEADS 1-0): Texas def. Kansas State, 62-56 (at Austin, Texas)
Winner: Advances to the quarterfinals on Thursday to take on No. 2 Iowa State at 6 p.m.
Here is the full Big 12 men’s tournament schedule and results.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS
Texas: F Dylan Disu, F Dillon Mitchell, G Ithiel Horton, G Tyrese Hunter, G Max Abmas
Kansas State: F Jerrell Colbert, F Arthur Kaluma, G Cam Carter, G Tylor Perry, G Dai Dai Ames
PLAYERS TO WATCH
TEXAS
G Max Abmas
While Texas’ roster has multiple players who can be difference-makers, senior guard Max Abmas is the biggest threat to take over a game. As one of the highest-profile transfers in college basketball history, Abmas hit the ground running in Austin. The Texas native is currently averaging 16.8 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 43.1% from the field and 37.1% from the 3-point line. Abmas should command a lot of attention from Kansas State’s defense, and if he can get going early, watch out.
KANSAS STATE
F Arthur Kaluma
Kansas State forward Arthur Kaluma has been a really nice addition for the Wildcats out of the transfer portal and was recently named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Kaluma was big in the first matchup between Texas and K-State, leading his team in points and rebounds with 17 and seven, respectively. For the Wildcats to pull off the upset, Kaluma will have to be in rare form again in hopes of leading his team to an NCAA Tournament bid.
KEY STORYLINES
TEXAS
Coach Rodney Terry caught a lot of bad press this season, including moments like calling out UCF players for throwing up the Horns Down, criticizing teams for “jumping up and down like they won a National Championship” — and then doing the exact same thing — and an overall average coaching performance in 2023-24. Terry was awarded the Texas job following an Elite Eight run last season, and putting together some post-season success in back-to-back seasons is the perfect way to get doubters back on your side. Closing out their final season as members of the Big 12 Conference with a tournament championship would be a great way to go out.
KANSAS STATE
Possibly the biggest storyline of any team in the Big 12 Tournament — will Kansas State make the NCAA Tournament? The Wildcats enter the Big 12 Tournament in need of a few wins to boost their credentials enough to earn a place in March Madness, and Texas provides yet another Quad 1 opportunity for coach Jerome Tang’s squad. To avoid the drama of comparing credentials, the Wildcats desperately need to win to become what could be the Big 12’s 10th tournament team.
PREDICTION
Texas 72, Kansas State 68. The first game between these two was decided by six points in Austin. With a neutral site game that technically favors K-State because of its proximity to Manhattan, the Wildcats should come out hungry in search of an NCAA Tournament appearance. But Texas, which has played the better basketball of late, prevails.
