To the nation, Kansas State vs. Loyola-Chicago represents the most improbable Elite Eight matchup, the first time in the NCAA Tournament's history that a No. 9 seed has played a No. 11 seed.
But to the state of Kansas, it is a celebration of homegrown talent. Kansas high school basketball has its fingerprints all over this Elite Eight matchup, from K-State star Dean Wade (who hails from St. John, population: 1,214) to Loyola's Cinderella duo of Clayton Custer and Ben Richardson (from the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park).
In total, the game will feature seven players from Kansas, including K-State walk-ons Kade Kinnamon (St.