Kansas State upsets Kentucky, advancing to the first Sweet 16 since 2018
The Wildcats battle of Greensboro, North Carolina, was on Sunday afternoon when no. 3 seeds Kansas State no. 6 Kentucky took the court. After a long back-and-forth game, Kansas State was the state to roll in after defeating Kentucky, 75-69.
This is the Sweet 16’s first appearance in Kansas State NCAA Tournament since 2018.
With less than three minutes to play, Kentucky’s Casson Wallace made a layup that gave them a 62-61 lead, but Kansas State was ready to answer that bucket.
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Cason Wallace #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during halftime against the Kansas State Wildcats in the second round 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)
Ismail Massoud caught a pass from Marquis Noel and put up a three-pointer to take the lead and hit it for the score 64-62.
After Miss Who Chris Livingston from KentuckyIn an effort to match Masood’s three, Kansas State went back down and gave their star player, Keyontae Johnson, the chance to break away a bit from Kentucky.
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Johnson got his one game and didn’t waste the opportunity, running back and raining a right wing three-pointer and hitting to put Kansas State ahead, 67-62.
Kentucky would not be able to answer, prompting them to begin deliberately doodling in the hopes that Kansas State would miss their free throws. But Nowell and Desi Sills were a combined 8-for-8 to finish the game despite Kentucky trying their best to get back in it.
Antonio Reeves #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives past Desi Sales #13 of the Kansas State Wildcats during halftime in the second round 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)
Noel was Kansas State’s leading scorer as the top defender dropped by 27 points – he’s averaged 16.8 this season – with nine assists and two rebounds. Johnson also finished with 13 points, four boards and three assists.
On the Kentucky sheet, Antonio Reeves, the team’s second leading scorer with 14.6 points per game, was cool as he put the ball down. He went 1 of 15 from the floor, including nine of his 10 missed three-point attempts. This certainly did not help coach John Calipari.
But Wallace rallied with 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting with nine boards and four assists. The team’s leading scorer Oscar Cheppui scored a double-double with 25 points and 18 rebounds.
Desi Sills #13 of the Kansas State Wildcats reacts during the second half of the Kentucky Wildcats’ second round game 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)
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While Kentucky comes home, Kansas State goes on to face the No. 1 winner. 2 rated Marquette and No. 7 seed Michigan State in the Sweet 16.
