Kansas State Fends Off Montana State; Will Play Kentucky in Round of 32
GREENSBORO, N.C. — For the first time since the two programs met in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, Kentucky and Kansas State will do battle against one-another, once again in the Big Dance.
Following No. 6 seed Kentucky's 61-53 victory over the No. 11 seed Providence, Kansas State took the court against Montana State to round out the set of games inside Greensboro Coliseum on Friday.
The No. 3-seeded Wildcats out of Manhattan held a steady lead for the majority of the game and shot 58 percent, bursting the upset hopes of the No. 14 seed Bobcats out of the Big Sky Conference in a 77-65 win.
Paving the way was the All-American duo of former Florida Gator Keyontae Johnson and scintillating guard Markquis Nowell. Johnson hit eight shots for 18 points to go along with eight rebounds, while Nowell compiled an impressive 17-point, 14-assist double-double.
Now, K-State will square off against Kentucky for the right to play inside Madison Square Garden in New York City next weekend. The last time the two squared off, the purple Cats reigned victorious in the 2018 Sweet 16, 61-58.
Kentucky forward P.J. Washington scored 18 points, but missed 12 free throws in the defeat. UK shot 38 percent overall and made just three 3-pointers, ending a run that many thought would lead to a Final Four appearance.
"Now, whoever we play is going to be a really hard game, but we're not worried about that right now," UK coach John Calipari said after his team's win over Providence. "We'll go back and enjoy this, meet in my room later tonight, know who we're playing. Go have a great night. Sleep in. We'll get up tomorrow and figure things out tomorrow. This has been a great group."
In 10 matchups all-time, Kentucky has won nine of them, with the latest edition being the outlier. It'll now have an opportunity to avenge that loss on Sunday inside Greensboro Coliseum. The tipoff time is still yet to be determined.
More on Kentucky-Providence HERE.
Everything John Calipari said after Kentucky's win HERE.
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