Kansas State takes down Kentucky, advances to first Sweet 16 since 2018

It was a battle of Wildcats from Greensboro, North Carolina, on Sunday afternoon when No. 3 seed Kansas State and No. 6 Kentucky took the court docket. After an extended, back-and-forth recreation, Kansas State is the one transferring on after defeating Kentucky, 75-69. 

This is Kansas State’s first Sweet 16 look within the NCAA Tournament since 2018. 

With just below three minutes to play, Kentucky’s Cason Wallace made a layup that gave them a 62-61 lead, however Kansas State was able to reply that bucket.

Cason Wallace #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the course of the second half towards the Kansas State Wildcats within the second spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at The Fieldhouse at Greensboro Coliseum on March 19, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Ismael Massoud took a go from Markquis Nowell and put up a three-pointer to take the lead again and splashed it for the 64-62 benefit.

After a miss from Chris Livingston of Kentucky, making an attempt to match Massoud’s three, Kansas State went proper again down the ground and gave their star participant, Keyontae Johnson, the possibility to separate a bit from Kentucky. 

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Johnson acquired his one-on-one matchup and didn’t squander the chance, as he stepped again and rained a three-pointer from the correct wing and hit it to place Kansas State up, 67-62. 

Kentucky wouldn’t have the ability to reply, which led them to start out deliberately fouling with the hope Kansas State would miss their free throws. But Nowell and Desi Sills had been a mixed 8-for-8 to finish the sport regardless of Kentucky making an attempt their greatest to get again in it. 

Antonio Reeves #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives towards Desi Sills #13 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the course of the second half within the second spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at The Fieldhouse at Greensboro Coliseum on March 19, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Nowell was Kansas State’s main scorer because the senior level guard dropped 27 factors – he averaged 16.8 this season – with 9 assists and two rebounds. Johnson additionally completed with 13 factors, 4 boards and three assists. 

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On the Kentucky stat sheet, Antonio Reeves, the crew’s second-leading scorer with 14.6 factors per recreation, was ice chilly when he put the ball up. He went 1-of-15 from the ground, together with 9 of 10 missed three-point makes an attempt. That actually didn’t assist head coach John Calipari.

But Wallace stepped up with 21 factors on 9-of-11 capturing with 9 boards and 4 assists. The crew’s main scorer, Oscar Tshiebwe, recorded a double-double with 25 factors and 18 rebounds.

Desi Sills #13 of the Kansas State Wildcats reacts in the course of the second half Kentucky Wildcats within the second spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at The Fieldhouse at Greensboro Coliseum on March 19, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

While Kentucky heads dwelling, Kansas State goes on to face the winner of No. 2 seed Marquette and No. 7 seed Michigan State within the Sweet 16.