Kansas State defeats Arizona State 71-66 in Big 12 Tournament opener

The Kansas State Wildcats began their postseason journey with a 71-66 victory over Arizona State in the Big 12 Tournament, led by Coleman Hawkins, who scored 26 points. K-State, needing to win the tournament for an automatic NCAA bid, took control early in the game. Meanwhile, Texas Tech's JT Toppin was named the Big 12's Player of the Year, becoming the first player to win both the top player and newcomer awards in the same season. Toppin has had a standout season, averaging 18.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, contributing to Texas Tech's strong performance as they secured the No. 2 seed in the tournament. Arizona State, finishing their season with a disappointing nine-game home losing streak, faced challenges due to injuries and player dismissals, leaving them without key contributors. The Big 12 Tournament is set to continue with several matchups as teams vie for NCAA Tournament spots.