‘This Will Motivate Us’
Mar 12, 2024 | Women's Basketball, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
They got on a bus. And they went back to the hotel. And there will be a Big 12 Tournament Championship Game. And Kansas State will not play in the game. And that is the toughest part. That's what Jeff Mittie said, his voice hoarse, moments after third-seed Kansas State suffered a 71-64 loss to second-seed Texas in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals here at T-Mobile Center on Monday night.
"Right now, the disappointment of losing is pretty fresh," Mittie said. "I'm sure getting on that bus and getting back to the hotel is going to be a team that's really disappointed that they don't have the opportunity to play tomorrow. We know we're going to get to play down the road, but we're not getting to play tomorrow.
"There's going to be a championship tomorrow night, and we fell a little bit short. That's hard to swallow right now."
There's plenty to be proud of for K-State, which is 25-7 and went 13-5 in the Big 12 Conference. The Wildcats beat No. 2 Iowa on the road. They beat No. 10 Texas. They beat No. 13 Baylor on the road. And they beat No. 22 West Virginia. They enter March strong with a 73-49 win at Texas Tech on March 2 followed by a 65-62 win over West Virginia in Saturday's quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Tournament.
Then they went toe-to-toe with Texas, which entered the tournament ranked No. 6 and that entered Monday's game having won 10 of its last 11 contests, including a 76-60 win over Kansas in the Big 12 quarterfinal round.
"I don't think anybody is hanging their head about this game that we played here today," K-State senior guard Gabby Gregory said. "I think we proved that we're one of the best teams in the country just like Texas is. We had moments where a couple plays could've gone a different way and we could've come out with a win today. I don't think anybody is going to be holding onto this in a way that we're hanging our head or anything like that.
"This will motivate us. We can play with anybody in the country, and we're motivated to do that."
It's the cruelty of March, going home, yet the Wildcats have perhaps done enough to stay home, that is, host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament at Bramlage Coliseum. That'll be revealed on Sunday. Will K-State be one of the top 16 seeds? The Wildcats appear to have a quality resume.
"I've looked at some of the projected stuff, but Iowa looks to be a one or two seed," Mittie said. "We have a road victory there. We have a victory over Texas, which is in that same boat. We have a victory at Baylor. We've got a lot on our resume that a lot of people don't have. This week has been very good, so I think the overall body of work that we've put together is pretty good."
He adds: "I think we have a good case."
For now, it stings. It stinks. And it's still too raw. Mittie said that, too. The feelings were too fresh inside the locker room. And that's understandable. But there is no worry, none whatsoever, for a veteran squad that has been through the battles all season. It's a mature group.
"I don't worry about our locker room," Mittie said. "I don't worry if we're going to show up and practice hard the next practice. That doesn't even cross my mind. This group has done it all year long."
Later, Mittie said: "This has been one of my favorite teams to coach."
Yes, K-State will return home. K-State will not compete in the Big 12 Championship Game. And the loss to Texas stings. And the loss to Texas stinks. But if there's something to ponder, perhaps it's this: K-State returns home and still has a chance to go places in March.
"I'm disappointed with the result today, but as I told them in the locker room, we shouldn't be ashamed of that one," Mittie said. "We left it on the floor. If we play like that in the NCAA Tournament, we'll have every opportunity to advance.
"I'm so proud of our group. We made a lot of big plays. Texas just made a few more."
It's the cruelty of March.
Now K-State waits and prepares for its next shot.
They got on a bus. And they went back to the hotel. And there will be a Big 12 Tournament Championship Game. And Kansas State will not play in the game. And that is the toughest part. That's what Jeff Mittie said, his voice hoarse, moments after third-seed Kansas State suffered a 71-64 loss to second-seed Texas in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals here at T-Mobile Center on Monday night.
"Right now, the disappointment of losing is pretty fresh," Mittie said. "I'm sure getting on that bus and getting back to the hotel is going to be a team that's really disappointed that they don't have the opportunity to play tomorrow. We know we're going to get to play down the road, but we're not getting to play tomorrow.
"There's going to be a championship tomorrow night, and we fell a little bit short. That's hard to swallow right now."
There's plenty to be proud of for K-State, which is 25-7 and went 13-5 in the Big 12 Conference. The Wildcats beat No. 2 Iowa on the road. They beat No. 10 Texas. They beat No. 13 Baylor on the road. And they beat No. 22 West Virginia. They enter March strong with a 73-49 win at Texas Tech on March 2 followed by a 65-62 win over West Virginia in Saturday's quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Tournament.
Then they went toe-to-toe with Texas, which entered the tournament ranked No. 6 and that entered Monday's game having won 10 of its last 11 contests, including a 76-60 win over Kansas in the Big 12 quarterfinal round.
"I don't think anybody is hanging their head about this game that we played here today," K-State senior guard Gabby Gregory said. "I think we proved that we're one of the best teams in the country just like Texas is. We had moments where a couple plays could've gone a different way and we could've come out with a win today. I don't think anybody is going to be holding onto this in a way that we're hanging our head or anything like that.
"This will motivate us. We can play with anybody in the country, and we're motivated to do that."
It's the cruelty of March, going home, yet the Wildcats have perhaps done enough to stay home, that is, host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament at Bramlage Coliseum. That'll be revealed on Sunday. Will K-State be one of the top 16 seeds? The Wildcats appear to have a quality resume.
"I've looked at some of the projected stuff, but Iowa looks to be a one or two seed," Mittie said. "We have a road victory there. We have a victory over Texas, which is in that same boat. We have a victory at Baylor. We've got a lot on our resume that a lot of people don't have. This week has been very good, so I think the overall body of work that we've put together is pretty good."
He adds: "I think we have a good case."
For now, it stings. It stinks. And it's still too raw. Mittie said that, too. The feelings were too fresh inside the locker room. And that's understandable. But there is no worry, none whatsoever, for a veteran squad that has been through the battles all season. It's a mature group.
"I don't worry about our locker room," Mittie said. "I don't worry if we're going to show up and practice hard the next practice. That doesn't even cross my mind. This group has done it all year long."
Later, Mittie said: "This has been one of my favorite teams to coach."
Yes, K-State will return home. K-State will not compete in the Big 12 Championship Game. And the loss to Texas stings. And the loss to Texas stinks. But if there's something to ponder, perhaps it's this: K-State returns home and still has a chance to go places in March.
"I'm disappointed with the result today, but as I told them in the locker room, we shouldn't be ashamed of that one," Mittie said. "We left it on the floor. If we play like that in the NCAA Tournament, we'll have every opportunity to advance.
"I'm so proud of our group. We made a lot of big plays. Texas just made a few more."
It's the cruelty of March.
Now K-State waits and prepares for its next shot.
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