KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The way Kansas State's seniors talk, they've been pondering the possibility of an unthinkable upset ever since they learned of the potential rematch with Nebraska.

Veterans Kari Kincaid and Ashley Sweat certainly aren't delusional. They know they'll need nearly everything to go right to have a chance against the heavily favored Huskers Friday.

No. 3 Nebraska's already beat K-State twice. And in Friday morning's Big 12 tournament quarterfinal matchup, the well-rested NU team will have no problem effectively implementing its up-tempo and wearing style of play, while the depleted Wildcats try to keep pace.

But despite the obstacles, Kincaid and her teammates were all smiles Thursday inside their Municipal Auditorium locker room after beating No. 8 Texas Tech 59-51 in the opening round. Kansas State, the No. 9 seed, thinks it has a legitimate shot Friday, even if nobody else does.

“No one in the world thinks we can win, except for us,” Kincaid said. “We believe in ourselves. We would shock the world if we beat undefeated Nebraska.”

The Wildcats were so close a week ago.

They jumped out to an 11-point lead in the first half and held a 45-38 halftime edge — just the second time all season that Nebraska's trailed at the break. But a lack of depth factored into K-State's second-half collapse and the Huskers left Manhattan, Kan., with an 82-72 win last Saturday.

Kansas State will dress just seven players for today's rematch. All will play hard, though.

“I think any team goes into this like, ‘We're playing Nebraska. They're No. 3 in the country. We've got nothing to lose,'” Sweat said. “I just think we're confident that we can play with them.”

The Huskers (29-0) better get used to that mentality. Every opponent they face in Kansas City this weekend will be bringing a similar slay-the-giant approach.

Opponents get a second or third crack at Nebraska, hoping to be the group responsible for the first and only NU loss of the season. So the intensity will be heightened, senior Cory Montgomery said.

“Teams are going to come at us,” Montgomery said. “We've just got to be mentally prepared and just play normal basketball. We can't worry about the other team.”

Montgomery and the other NU seniors can relate to the underdog role.

Nebraska had slim NCAA tournament hopes as a No. 9 seed in last year's tournament, but lost in the first round. The Huskers qualified for the WNIT.

In that position, you're desperate, but hopeful, Montgomery said. Because “anything can happen.”

Kansas State (14-17) has that same mind-set.

“We're excited that we get another chance to play,” Kincaid said. “I'm fighting for my basketball life and so is Ashley. We're just going to bring that emotion.”

NU senior guard Vonnie Turner welcomes the challenge, though.

“It's actually kind of fun to play against a team who's going to be very competitive and who's going to bring their A-game,” she said.

Contact the writer:

402-473-9585, jon.nyatawa@owh.com

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