Field Level Media
23 Feb 2025, 06:53 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images)
Kansas State will look to end a two-game losing streak when it hosts Arizona State in Manhattan, Kan., on Sunday afternoon. The Wildcats will look back to a come-from-behind 71-70 victory at Arizona State on Feb. 4 for inspiration.
K-State (13-13, 7-8 Big 12) had won six straight games and put themselves in the discussion for an at-large berth in the upcoming NCAA Tournament prior to back-to-back losses at BYU on Feb. 15 and Utah on Feb. 17.
One of those six consecutive victories was in Tempe, Ariz., after the Sun Devils (12-14, 3-12) missed two free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining trailing by one point.
The Sun Devils have now lost six straight games, dating back to a Feb. 1 loss to Arizona prior to the K-State loss. They have allowed an average of 83.8 points per game during the skid, raising their season scoring average allowed to 74.4, third worst in the Big 12 Conference.
In their last loss, 80-65 to Houston, the Sun Devils faced the nation's best defense, but ASU coach Bobby Hurley was just as impressed with the Cougars' offense.
'(LJ) Cryer is a really tough matchup,' he said. 'We lost him and we lost (Emanuel) Sharp some in the second half. They have shooting and they have fierce interior players that could really get stuff done. So they present a lot of issues for you. They're a well-built team.'
During their winning streak, the Wildcats beat four ranked teams, which made the streak more impressive. Their ability to overcome the sluggish start against the Sun Devils was encouraging, as was their recovery after allowing an 11-2 run that gave Arizona State a 63-62 lead with 3:24 left.
K-State coach Jerome Tang hopes to recapture the momentum his team had during its winning streak.
'In our six-game winning streak, we had three, and sometimes four, guards who had 3-plus rebounds,' Tang said. 'In (the two games in) Utah, our guards didn't rebound. We need our guards to rebound for us.
'We know how teams are going to try to stop us. Now we have to make the adjustments.'
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Sports Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sports Sun.
More Information(Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images) Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson had two goals and an assist each as the...
(Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) The New Orleans Pelicans aren't going to the postseason. The San Antonio Spurs face an...
(Photo credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images) Kansas State will look to end a two-game losing streak when it hosts Arizona State in...
(Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images) Rivals in the Eastern Conference battle Sunday evening as the Milwaukee Bucks welcome in...
(Photo credit: David Banks-Imagn Images) Devin Booker scored 29 points, Kevin Durant added 27 points and 11 rebounds, and the visiting...
(Photo credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images) Every game is magnified at this time of year for teams like the Orlando Magic, who are...
(Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images) Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. underwent surgery to repair a torn triceps...
(Photo credit: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Former Los Angeles Rams executive James Gladstone...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) An unidentified New York Jets player was robbed at gunpoint last weekend near his home...
(Photo credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images) The New Orleans Saints are hiring Brandon Staley as their defensive coordinator, multiple...
(Photo credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran defensive tackle...
(Photo credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images) The Carolina Panthers released veteran cornerback Dane Jackson on Friday. Jackson spent...