In a high-stakes showdown, the 13th-ranked Arizona Wildcats are set to face off against the Kansas State Wildcats, both boasting impressive winning streaks in the competitive Big 12 conference. The much-anticipated matchup is scheduled for Tuesday night in Manhattan, Kansas.
Arizona, with a record of 17-6 overall and an impressive 11-1 in the Big 12, secured their sixth consecutive victory by defeating then-No. 13 Texas Tech with a score of 82-73 in their recent game on home turf in Tucson, Arizona. On the other hand, Kansas State, with a record of 12-11 overall and 6-6 in the conference, extended their own winning streak to five games by taking down then-No. 16 Kansas with a final score of 81-73 in their last outing at home in Manhattan.
This winning streak in conference play is notably the longest for Kansas State since the 2018-19 season. Head coach Jerome Tang of Kansas State has an impressive track record of 12-3 at home against AP Top 25 opponents, including a solid 3-1 record this season.
Tang emphasized the importance of staying focused and moving forward, regardless of wins or losses, stating, “You got to tuck this one away, and move on to the next, because we got another great team coming in, and another great opportunity ahead of us.”
In terms of home performance, Kansas State holds a 4-2 record in conference games, while Arizona boasts a strong 5-1 record on the road. Arizona managed to avenge their sole Big 12 loss of the season by defeating Texas Tech, as coach Tommy Lloyd’s team prioritized attacking the paint over relying on outside shooting.
Star player Caleb Love of Arizona showcased his versatility in the recent game, scoring 16 points through aggressive drives to the basket and an impressive 7-of-9 free-throw shooting performance. Love’s defensive prowess was also highlighted, as he played a key role in containing Texas Tech’s Chance McMillian to just eight points.
On the Kansas State side, David N’Guessan delivered back-to-back 20-point performances for the first time in his career, leading his team with 20 points and seven rebounds in the win against Kansas. Dug McDaniel, a transfer from Michigan, also stood out with 15 points and a career-high 11 assists, earning praise from coach Tang for his resilience and leadership qualities.
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming clash between these top teams, both Arizona and Kansas State are gearing up for a thrilling contest that could have significant implications in the Big 12 standings.
