Along a fascinating and rousing path to the Elite Eight for just the second time in 30 years, Kansas State encountered all manner of storylines and obstacles.
First up was Creighton and K-State transfer Marcus Foster.
Then came the forever underdogs of the NCAA Tournament, the UMBC Retrievers, the first No. 16 seed ever to advance in the NCAA Tournament.
After that lurked Kentucky, one of a handful of blue-blood programs and owning a distinct talent advantage.
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