Kansas State’s 50-43 victory over Maryland-Baltimore County will go down in history as the first time a No. 9 seed has defeated a No. 16 seed in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but it will not be remembered as a classic.
There were no style points to be found on Sunday at Spectrum Center — just survival.
Good thing that’s what this event is all about. The Wildcats made just enough plays to fend off the cold-shooting Retrievers. They survived and advanced to the Sweet 16, where they will next face No. 5 Kentucky on Thursday in Atlanta.