Kentucky’s Sweet 16 drought continues after loss to K-State

The Sweet 16 drought for the Kentucky Wildcats continues.

On Sunday, another Wildcats group — Kansas State — sent Kentucky packing their bags, winning a closely contested game in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 75-69.

Kentucky misses the Sweet 16 for the third straight season under head coach John Calipari. The questionable streak is the second longest for the Wildcats in tournament history. Kentucky failed to reach the Sweet 16 in four consecutive seasons from 2006 to 2009.

Meanwhile, Kansas State is heading to the regional semifinals for the first time since 2018. Markquis Nowell led the way for K-State, scoring 23 of his team-high 27 points in the second half on Sunday after -noon.

After picking up just four points in the first half, Nowell noticed the Kentucky defense starting to play him more passively after halftime. Given more room, Nowell decided to attack.

“I thought I would go here, be aggressive, get my own shot,” Powell said via McKenzie Nelson from KSHB 41 News. “Once it started to drop, I picked up the pace.”

In a true back-and-forth battle, Powell hit two huge three-pointers late in the second period to help the Wildcats keep pace with Kentucky. With 2:19 to go, Powell assisted on a massive three Ismael Massoud, which put K-State up, 64-62, giving them a lead they wouldn’t give up.