K State

Everyone knows where Los Angeles is. People in Russia know where LA is. Second only to New York City, it's the biggest baddest and famous city in the United States. Wichita it is not. We spoke to some people outside the Staples Center upon our arrival to ask them if they has heard of Wichita or knew where it was. Responses ranged from, "no clue," to, "that's from the Wizard of Oz, right?" or the best one - "Wichita is in Illinois, correct?" Los Angeles it is not. Fortunately Wichita State University has the city name in it's name.

For What it's Worth - March 26 -- There's just a moment to breathe and do some laundry before the craziness of the Sweet 16. I know the bracket's busted but… Wichita State, Florida Gulf Coast and LaSalle have grabbed plenty of the headlines, as is usually the case through the first weekend when everyone loves party crashers (is it ok if I stay away from the whole tired Cinderella story thing? It makes me pull for the wicked step mom). But now we head to week two and we do it with plenty of big-time names.

Kicking a #1 seed out of the NCAA Tournament has made Wichita State the talk of not only Kansas but the whole basketball viewing nation. "It's really cool to watch the sports channels and hear about Wichita State.  It's just cool to have our team be known everywhere," said WSU student Joe Traffas. Being the topic of nationwide headlines is something WSU isn't used to, but wouldn't mind getting used to it.  The attention is coming from across the country and it's not just your traditional sports outlets.

The Kansas State women's basketball team defeated Illinois State 57-48 on Monday night to advance in the Women's N.I.T.  Here is the official release from the university athletic department:   Brittany Chambers scored a game-high 28 points as Kansas State ran past Illinois State, 57-48, in the second round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament on Monday night in Bramlage Coliseum. Following her 42 points on Thursday night, Chambers has now scored more points in back-to-back games than any player in program history.

And with that............... K-State's tournament run is done. A one and done shocker to upstart La Salle that had everyone dropping their jaws. The Wildcats literally played two games on Friday against the Explorers. The first half was all La Salle, finishing the first half shooting 58 percent to K-State 28 and a 44-26 lead. The second half was all K-State, holding La Salle to just three baskets in 20 minutes and outscoring them 35-19. They just needed to outscore them 37 or 38-19 for the tie or the win. K-State was set up for a big run but no longer.

The cliché goes 'It's not how you start, but how you finish.' The Kansas State basketball team started terribly in its second round game against LaSalle and players and fans alike clung to this old cliché, in the hopes that it truly wouldn't matter how its team started, but how it finished. There was no way Kansas State, one of the most consistent teams in the nation, would drop its opening game of the NCAA tournament to LaSalle. After the game Kansas State post player Shane Southwell said over and over again, “You can't spot a team 18 points.” But, that's exactly what the Wildcats did Friday when they trailed the Explorers 44-26 at halftime.

It's been called a fraternity but maybe better put that coaching profession is like a brotherhood. Head coaches all across the country are friends with other coaches and often wind up coaching against and alongside friends and friends of friends on the court. Sergio Rouco has crossed paths with his friends, either stateside or somewhere overseas. Born in Cuba, Rouco was raised in Miami in Little Havana and is very close friends with former K-State head coach Frank Martin. They coached on a JV basketball team together before moving up to the varsity and going on to work in the college ranks after that.

The addage says, 'It's not how you start it's how you finish. " Problem was, the way K-State started their NCAA game against La Salle, it was hard to come back. K-State trailed by 18 points at halftime, put together a furious second half rally but ultimately fell to La Salle, 63-61. Wildcat's end their season at 27-8. "We knew how dangerous they were - you have to give them credit," Angel Rodridguez said after the game. "They won the game. " Rodgriguez took the final shot for K-State that would have tied the game and sent it to overtime.