There haven't been a lot of secrets to how Bruce Weber's teams succeed, and this season's Kansas State outfit is a perfect example. The Wildcats grabbed a share of the Big 12 title with their trademark defense and ability to take care of the basketball. If KSU tops 75 points in a game -- as it did once in conference play -- it's big news. But thanks to a balanced collection of scorers and that ornery defense, Kansas State hit the Big 12 tourney with 24 wins and captured nine of its last 11 games.
It might be unreasonable to expect another run to the Elite Eight, like last season's team had, but this is a squad that is likely to make trouble for opponents with its disciplined D and ability to turn almost every possession into an important one. The only thing that could interrupt a deep run is the cranky foot of standout forward Dean Wade. Will the Wildcats stay on good footing deep into March?
ESPN Insider has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of Bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel and best- and worst-case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams to help you make smart picks in your bracket.
TOURNEY PROFILE
Best wins: vs. Texas Tech; at Kansas
Worst losses: at Tulsa, at Texas A&M
Regular season conference finish: T1st, Big 12
Polls and metrics: The BPI ranks the Wildcats 24th, while KenPom has them a notch higher, at 23.
All-time tourney record: 34-33
Coach's tourney record: Bruce Weber (14-12)
Bracketology chart | BPI information
PERSONNEL
(Note: Player statistics are through games of March 4.)
STARTING LINEUP
G Barry Brown (15.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG)
G Kamau Stokes (10.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG)
F Dean Wade (12.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG)
F Xavier Sneed (10.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG)
F Makol Mawien (6.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG)
Key Bench Players
G Cartier Diarra (6.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG)
G Mike McGuirl (3.7 PPG, 1.5 RPG)
F Austin Trice (2.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG)
Biggest strength: This can't come as a surprise to anybody. The Wildcats are ranked sixth by KenPom.com in defensive efficiency, trail only Texas Tech in the Big 12 defensively and limit rivals to a mere 59.1 points. KSU plays to its defense with a deliberate offense that allows for fewer possessions -- for both teams -- and forces rivals to be highly patient and effective. The Wildcats preach hard work, accountability and knowing where to be on D, and that manifests itself in KSU's controlling tempo and making up for an offense that can't always be counted on for production. Kansas State held 17 teams under 60 points this season, and it's tough not to win games when you're doing that.
Biggest weakness: The Wildcats are erratic offensively. They can count just about every night on a great defense, but there is no such reliability on the other side of the ball. KSU kept 17 teams from scoring 60, but 10 squads prevented the Wildcats from hitting that mark, and Kansas State lost five of those games. It's great to stop people in the tournament, but as the quality of opposition rises, so does the necessity to have a reliable offensive attack.
Best player: If Wade can't go in the NCAA tournament, it will be a big loss, but if Brown is out, the Wildcats will have little chance of advancing beyond the first round. Not only was he a unanimous first-team all-Big 12 selection, he was also the conference's defensive player of the year. Brown is a versatile offensive player who can score inside and out and is second on the team in assists. He is an outstanding defender, and his 63 steals help make things easier for an offensive attack that needs assistance and provides a tremendous disruptive force for rivals. Though he can be a streaky shooter, Brown is the key to everything the Wildcats do.
X factor: Wildcats fans had better hope Wade's foot is 100 percent for the tourney, because he means a lot to the team. Early indications are that he was kept out of the Big 12 tournament to prepare him for the big show. That's good, because Wade is the team's top rebounder, most effective inside scorer and an occasional weapon from long range. He can help defensively in rotations but also as a shot-blocker. Wade has been a stalwart for the program for four years and is capable of providing a strong second offensive weapon and needed interior presence on D.
SCOUTING REPORT
How they beat you: It certainly isn't pretty; that's for sure. The Wildcats want to force opponents up against the shot clock and make them think that every possession is going to be a dry one. They play nasty man-to-man, just as Weber's teams have for decades, and they understand the help concepts within the scheme well and are willing to work hard to implement them. Earlier this season, Weber talked about how the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl by limiting the high-flying Rams to only three points and used that as an example about how defense still wins championships. The Wildcats aren't going to be out of place too often, and every member of the roster who steps on the court understands that he won't be out there too long if he doesn't defend. Brown and Wade are clearly the focal points offensively, but Stokes and Sneed can hit the long ball and set up their teammates well, particularly Stokes.
How you beat them: Anybody lining up against Kansas State had better be patient and efficient offensively, because the Wildcats can make even the most skilled scorers look inept at times. If players get frustrated by a couple of dry possessions or force things in an attempt to speed things up, they are in trouble. So, offenses must execute and understand there will be times when things don't go well. As long as they take good care of the ball and don't devolve into one-on-one shows, they should be all right. Defensively, makes sure Brown doesn't get comfortable off the dribble. Show him multiple looks and keep running fresh defenders at him. He's experienced and confident, so giving him even a little room can be dangerous.
WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY
(Note: All statistics in this section are courtesy of kenpom.com and are accurate through games of March 4.)
NATIONAL RANKS
Offensive efficiency, 102nd (108.2)
Defensive efficiency, 6th (88.1)
3-point percentage, 210th (33.8)
3-point percentage D, 34th (31.4)
Free throw rate, 251st (17.3)
Free throw rate D, 257th (18.7)
TO percentage, 117th (17.7)
TO percentage D, 17th (22.6)
HOW FAR WILL THEY GO?
Best-case scenario: Elite Eight
The strangulating defense frustrates a trio of opponents and puts the Wildcats in a position where they don't have to score a lot of points. The result is a trip to the cusp of the Final Four, just like last year.
Worst-case scenario: Opening round loss
That defense is nasty, but if the Wildcats go ice cold with the ball, as they did at Kansas in late February or at Texas A&M a month earlier, it doesn't matter if they hold the opposition under 60, because they won't get there, either.