COLUMBIA, S.C.
Jeff Mittie looked at the four-team pod and grinned.
“I kind of got sick of seeing the rest of the Big 12, quite frankly,” said Mittie, Kansas State’s second-year coach. “I’m glad to see somebody else and we’re excited about the tournament.”
The Wildcats, seeded ninth, begin their first NCAA Tournament since 2012 against No. 8 seed George Washington on Friday, and the overall feeling is relief.
K-State, 18-12, felt good about its chances of getting into the NCAA Tournament but wasn’t sure after it went 8-10 against the brutal Big 12.