Kansas State Seeks to Halt Losing Streak Against Struggling but Competitive Colorado

Kansas State will look to snap a four-game losing streak when they host Colorado on Sunday in a pivotal Big 12 matchup. With the Wildcats still clinging to hopes of a postseason bid, they cannot afford another misstep. Meanwhile, Colorado has struggled all season but has recently shown signs of fight, making them a potential spoiler as the regular season winds down.

Both teams have had their share of ups and downs, but the question remains: Will Kansas State regain its form, or will Colorado continue its streak of competitive performances?

Kansas State’s Rollercoaster Season

Kansas State’s season has been defined by streaks. At one point, the Wildcats endured a brutal six-game losing streak, only to follow it up with six consecutive wins that put them back in the NCAA Tournament conversation. But just as quickly as momentum built, it disappeared. They have now lost four straight, dropping to 13-15 overall and 7-10 in Big 12 play.

Their most recent loss, an 80-76 defeat at UCF, highlighted their ongoing struggles. Head coach Jerome Tang did not shy away from addressing the team’s inconsistency.

“Sometimes you just need dudes to be dudes, and they were dudes tonight,” Tang said. “We’ve got to be better. We’re not good enough to take plays off. I love our guys’ toughness. We keep fighting to come back, but at some point, we’ve got to fight at the beginning, and then you don’t have to worry about the comeback.”

Kansas State’s biggest issue has been inconsistency. When the team is locked in, they can compete with anyone in the Big 12. But defensive lapses, slow starts, and offensive droughts have plagued them all season.

With the postseason still technically within reach, a loss to Colorado would be a major setback.

Colorado Playing Spoiler Despite Tough Season

Colorado’s season has been one of struggles, sitting at 11-17 overall and 2-15 in Big 12 play. They lost their first 13 conference games, all but eliminating them from postseason contention. However, they have been far more competitive in recent matchups, proving they will not go down without a fight.

Their latest performance, a 71-64 loss to Kansas, demonstrated just how much they have improved. The Buffaloes trailed by double digits multiple times in the first half but managed to claw their way back into the game. They even held a brief lead early in the second half before Kansas regained control in the closing minutes.

Head coach Tad Boyle praised his team’s resilience, particularly on the boards.

“Our guys battled tonight,” Boyle said. “There’s no doubt about it. You don’t out-rebound KU by 15 if you don’t come to battle. I don’t fault our effort. I don’t fault our toughness. We just have to be more consistent in various parts of the game, not just one on any given night.”

That has been the key issue for Colorado all season—consistency. Some nights, they dominate the glass and play strong defense, but their offense goes cold. Other nights, they shoot well but struggle to get stops.

If they can put together a complete game, they have a real chance of upsetting Kansas State on the road.

Key Matchups to Watch

With both teams desperate for a win, these battles will be crucial in deciding the outcome.

Kansas State’s Defense vs. Colorado’s Rebounding

• The Buffaloes out-rebounded Kansas by 15 in their last game. If they dominate the boards again, they could control the pace of the game.

Kansas State’s Start vs. Colorado’s Resilience

• The Wildcats have struggled with slow starts, forcing them to play catch-up in too many games. Colorado has been hanging tough lately and needs to capitalize early.

Kansas State’s Offense vs. Its Own Inconsistency

• The Wildcats scored 76 against UCF but have struggled to produce consistent offensive performances. If they get rolling early, they can put the game out of reach.

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What’s at Stake?

This game might not have major national implications, but it is significant for both programs.

Kansas State is still fighting for a possible postseason berth. A win keeps that hope alive, while another loss would make an already difficult path even tougher.

Colorado has been eliminated from NCAA Tournament contention but is playing for pride. A road win would be a statement that they are improving and finishing the season strong.

Both teams have something to prove. Will Kansas State finally put an end to its losing streak, or will Colorado spoil their hopes with another gritty performance? Sunday’s matchup will reveal just how much fight these teams have left.