K-State has plenty to play for in KC

The Kansas State basketball team will be out for revenge today against Oklahoma State. It will also be trying to regain its swagger and end a two-game losing streak.

For those reasons, the Wildcats won't need to look ahead to the NCAA Tournament to find motivation at the Big 12 Tournament.

But if they choose to think of seeding implications, no one could blame them. This week's trip to Kansas City could impact their future quite a bit.

K-State junior guard Jacob Pullen, who prides himself on knowing a thing or two about the big bracket, believes the Wildcats can play their way up to a No. 1 seed with a few wins or play their way down to a No. 4 seed with a loss to the Cowboys.

Falling in the 2 or 3 range seems more likely, but 1 and 4 are possible.

Losing to woeful Iowa State likely ended their chances of climbing into a No. 1 seed, but a Big 12 Tournament championship (especially with a win over top-ranked Kansas along the way) could vault the Wildcats to the top line.

Winning 24 regular-season games, and being ranked in the top 5 as recently as last week, probably clinched them a seed no lower than 3. But a third-straight loss could knock them lower.

It all depends on what else happens around the country.

As of now, ESPN has K-State slated as a No. 2 seed. But two other reliable bracket projections say it is a No. 3 seed.

There's not much difference between those spots, but the Big 12 Tournament could be the deciding factor.

What the Wildcats need to be more concerned with is wrapping up a coveted first-round game in Oklahoma City.

For weeks media and fans alike have locked K-State into Oklahoma City, and it is still the favorite to be sent there along with rival Kansas. But New Mexico has been creeping up the polls lately.

Heading into the Mountain West Tournament, the Lobos were 28-3 and ranked eighth (one spot above K-State). New Mexico is also one spot above K-State in the RPI. And the closest NCAA Tournament site in relation to Albuquerque is Oklahoma City.

Most believe the selection committee will send New Mexico out west to San Jose, and that's a reasonable assumption considering the West Coast has zero good teams this year. But San Jose is twice the drive that Oklahoma City is for Lobos fans.

If New Mexico wins its conference tournament and K-State doesn't impress in Kansas City, the Lobos could get the nod.

There's also an outside shot that Texas A&M, Texas or Oklahoma State could be sent to Oklahoma City. OK, that's a REALLY outside shot, but a Big 12 Tournament title could considerably change the fate of those teams as well.

That's why K-State needs to take care of business this week. Good thing it will be motivated.