2023 March Madness 1st round bracket breakdown: East Region
No. 3 Kansas State vs. No. 14 Montana State
While Montana State鈥檚 resume is lacking any notable wins, they have been solid throughout the year, going 25-9 and winning the Big Sky Conference Tournament. The tourney title was part of 13 wins in the Bobcats鈥� last 14 games, and they are currently on an eight-game winning streak. The Bobcats have a few guys who really play well on both ends, but the leader of the group is junior guard RaeQuan Battle who averages 17.4 points per game. This is also the second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for Montana State after not making the Big Dance since 1996, giving them some experience heading into the opening-round matchup.
Their opponent, Kansas State, will not be an easy one, however. The Wildcats are battle tested thanks to a tough Big 12, which was arguably the top conference in college basketball this season. Going 23-9 and finishing third in the conference, the Wildcats got wins this season over Kansas, Texas, Baylor, TCU and Iowa State, propelling them to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. Senior forward is the star of the team after transferring from Florida, scoring 17.7 points per game. Senior guard Markquis Nowell, who stands just 5-foot-8, is also a scoring threat who averages just shy of 17 points. It鈥檚 strong guard play that should lead Kansas State past Montana State, and possibly to the second weekend of the tournament.
"You are witnessing the golden age of Bobcat basketball." |
— Montana State Men鈥檚 Basketball (@MSUBobcatsMBB)
