MANHATTAN
When Jeff Mittie first met with the Kansas State women’s basketball team after he was hired as coach, he challenged everyone on the roster to raise expectations to a NCAA Tournament level.
But his words were mostly directed at Breanna Lewis. If the talented 6-foot-5 center, then a freshman, was committed to doing what it took to compete with the nation’s best, Mittie figured everything else would fall into place.
Two years later, the plan has become reality. Lewis, now a junior All-Big 12 selection who averages 16.7 points and 7.5 rebounds, is K-State’s go-to player and eager to lead the Wildcats into their first NCAA Tournament since 2012.