Kansas State vs UC Irvine: NCAA Tournament First Round Open Game Thread

For the third-straight year, your Kansas State Wildcats are dancing. Though there was little drama this year, as the Wildcats clearly secured their spot after winning a share of the Big 12 regular season title and finishing the regular season (plus conference tournament) at 25-8, 14-4.

But all that means nothing now. The season starts today, and the Wildcats go 1-0 today to continue their season. And that’s easier said than done.

While the Wildcats earned a 4-seed and get to face a 13-seed opponent, nothing is a given in March. For example, back in 2013 the Wildcats were in the exact same position, coming of a regular season conference title and dancing as a 4-seed. Those Wildcats stumbled,…