Two teams desperate to build momentum leading into next week’s Big 12 tournament square off Wednesday when Kansas State visits Cincinnati.
The Bearcats (17-12, 7-11 Big 12) are coming off a 73-64 loss at then-No. 4 Houston on Saturday, a game they led 10-2 in the early going. Houston erupted on a 14-0 run and outscored Cincinnati 35-15 to close the half.
Since starting the Big 12 slate 2-8, Cincinnati has won five of eight to give itself a chance of making its final two games meaningful.
“You’ve just got to win the next game,” Cincinnati coach Wes Miller said. “I think you win the next game and see where you’re at. One of the things that was frustrating for our players eight games ago was everybody told them they had no chance to even be in consideration for the tournament.
“I told them that’s a bunch of BS. Just take care of the next day. Then you looked up and all of a sudden people were considering you again. I think we need to do the same thing. Just win the next game and see what happens from there.”
Cincinnati will look to avenge one of its 11 conference losses, as the Wildcats recorded a 70-67 win in Manhattan, Kan., on Dec. 30 to open Big 12 play.
The Bearcats have three players averaging double figures in scoring, with Jizzle James leading the way at 12.8 points per game.
Kansas State (14-15, 8-10) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 65-56 home win over Colorado on Sunday.
The Wildcats were led by David N’Guessan with 21 points and eight rebounds while Dug McDaniel chipped in with 10 points and seven assists. The Wildcats were without the injured Coleman Hawkins and Mobi Ikegwuruka.
Coach Jerome Tang has been vocal this week about a controversial rule that allows officials to review goaltending calls after the next media timeout. Three Kansas State baskets, including one in Sunday’s win, have been overturned in Big 12 play.
“It’s absolutely stupid,” Tang said. “They have to fix it. They need to go review it right away. That way, they can give us back the basketball rather than review it at the next media timeout and then we lose the points, and we lose the ball. That’s ridiculous.”
–Field Level Media
