Kansas State Wildcats Upset Baylor Bears 90-74 Behind Haggerty's 34 Points

The Kansas State Wildcats, ranked 100 in the NET rankings, pulled off a stunning 90-74 upset over the Baylor Bears, who came into the game with a 46 NET ranking, at Bramlage Coliseum. This 16-point margin of victory was a shock, considering Baylor was predicted to win by 6.1 points, and it has real consequences for both teams' seed lines. The Wildcats, who had lost all 5 of their previous games, averaging just 64.6 points per game while allowing 81.4, seemed to have turned a corner, scoring 41 points in the first period and 49 in the second. Baylor, on the other hand, had been averaging 76.6 points per game over their last 5, but their trend of outscoring opponents by just 2.0 points per game caught up with them, as they were outscored by 16.

The game was a tale of two halves, with Kansas State dominating from the start, taking a 7-point lead into halftime. Baylor's recent form had been inconsistent, with a 2-3 record over their last 5 games, including losses to Louisville and BYU. They had, however, managed to secure wins against Colorado and West Virginia, scoring 86 and 63 points respectively. But against Kansas State, they struggled to find their rhythm, scoring just 34 points in the first half. The Wildcats, led by P.J. Haggerty's 17 first-half points, were unstoppable, shooting 51.7% from the field and 42.9% from three. Baylor's Isaac Williams IV tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 10 points in the first half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Wildcats' onslaught.

As the game wore on, Kansas State's Nate Johnson took over, scoring 21 points in the second half, including 4 three-pointers. He also dished out 7 assists, helping his teammates get easy baskets. Haggerty, meanwhile, continued to dominate, scoring 17 more points in the second half, including a crucial 3-pointer with 5 minutes left to put the game out of reach. On the other hand, Baylor's Tounde Yessoufou, who had been averaging 12.4 points per game over his last 5, vanished in the second half, scoring just 2 points. Cameron Carr, who had been a consistent scorer for the Bears, managed just 5 points in the second half, as the Wildcats' defense tightened up. Kansas State's David Castillo, who had been struggling to find his shot, hit a crucial 3-pointer with 2 minutes left to seal the win.

The question on everyone's mind is, how did CHD Scout get it so wrong? The predicted score was 77-83 in favor of Baylor, but the actual score was a whopping 90-74 in favor of Kansas State.

The model clearly missed the fact that Kansas State was due for a breakout game, having lost 5 straight. The Wildcats had been struggling to score, but against Baylor, they found their rhythm, shooting 55.4% from the field and 45.5% from three. Baylor, on the other hand, shot just 41.5% from the field and 30.8% from three, well below their season averages. The model also didn't account for the fact that Kansas State was playing at home, where they have been significantly better this season, averaging 73.4 points per game compared to just 64.2 on the road.

As we look at the bigger picture, this win has real consequences for Kansas State's tournament picture. With a Quad 2 win over a team ranked 46 in the NET, the Wildcats have improved their chances of making the tournament.

The graphic shows that Kansas State's NET ranking has improved, and their quad record has gotten a boost. This win could potentially move them off the bubble and into the tournament conversation. For Baylor, on the other hand, this loss is a setback, as they had been trying to solidify their position in the tournament field. With a Quad 2 loss to a team ranked 100 in the NET, the Bears' chances of making the tournament have taken a hit. They must regroup and refocus if they want to make a deep run in the tournament.

The trends heading into this game suggested that Baylor would come out on top, but Kansas State had other plans. The Wildcats' recent form had been poor, but they managed to turn it around, scoring 90 points against a team that had been allowing just 74.6 points per game over their last 5. Baylor, on the other hand, had been inconsistent, and their trend of outscoring opponents by just 2.0 points per game caught up with them. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how both teams respond to this game. Kansas State want to build on this momentum, while Baylor will try to regroup and get back on track. With 9 games left in the season, there is still plenty of time for both teams to make their move, but for now, Kansas State is basking in the glory of a huge upset win.

This win means that Kansas State is now a team to watch, having pulled off a massive upset over a team that was predicted to win by 6.1 points. The Wildcats' performance was impressive, with Haggerty and Johnson leading the charge. As we head into the final stretch of the season, it will be interesting to see if Kansas State can keep up this level of play, and if Baylor can bounce back from this tough loss. One thing is for sure, this game will have a significant impact on the tournament picture, and both teams want to make a statement in their remaining games. With a 16-point margin of victory, Kansas State has sent a message to the rest of the conference, and they want to build on this momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season.

HEADLINE: Kansas State Wildcats Upset Baylor Bears 90-74 Behind Haggerty's 34 Points SUBHEADLINE: The Wildcats' 16-point margin of victory has real consequences for both teams' seed lines, with Kansas State improving their chances of making the tournament and Baylor's chances taking a hit.