Basketball is a game of runs, but sometimes it’s a game of grit. That was the story when Kansas State vs USC took over the headlines during the 2025 NCAA Tournament. If you were watching, you saw a matchup that shifted from a potential blowout to a late-night thriller that left fans in Manhattan and Los Angeles holding their breath until the final buzzer.
The drama started long before tip-off.
USC entered the Sweet 16 matchup in Spokane as a heavy favorite, but they were reeling. Their superstar, JuJu Watkins, had just gone down with a season-ending ACL injury in the previous round. Most people figured the Trojans were done. You don't just lose a generational talent and keep rolling. Kansas State, led by the legendary Ayoka Lee, saw an opening. They weren't just happy to be there; they wanted the Elite Eight.
The Night the Underdogs Almost Barked
It looked like Kansas State was going to seize the moment early on. Serena Sundell was basically a magician with the ball, slicing through the USC defense to keep the Wildcats ahead 30-28 at the half. For a minute there, it felt like the "Big 12 physical" brand of basketball was going to wear down a short-handed USC squad.
But things got weird in the third quarter.
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USC, playing for their injured star, found an extra gear. They went on a 12-0 run that felt like a punch to the gut for the Wildcats. Freshmen like Avery Howell and Kennedy Smith stepped up in ways nobody expected. Smith finished with 19 points, looking less like a first-year player and more like a seasoned pro. Honestly, the composure of this USC team without Watkins was the most surprising part of the whole night.
K-State didn't just fold, though. That's not who they are.
Ayoka Lee anchored the paint, and Sundell kept pushing the pace, eventually tying the game at 51 in the fourth quarter. It was high-stakes, messy, and beautiful basketball. Every time USC tried to pull away, the Wildcats clawed back. When Sundell hit a layup to make it 60-59 with about two minutes left, the arena was deafening.
Why the Final Minutes Changed Everything
In the end, it came down to free throws and a few critical stops. USC managed to pull off a 67-61 victory, but the box score doesn't tell the whole story. It wasn't about USC being "better" in the traditional sense; it was about them being more opportunistic when the Wildcats finally hit a cold streak at the worst possible time.
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Kansas State fans will tell you they let one slip away. They're probably right.
Missing out on the program's first Elite Eight since 1982 hurts. But if you look at the trajectory of Kansas State vs USC as a budding cross-conference rivalry, there's a lot to be excited about. These programs are built on different philosophies—USC with the high-octane star power and K-State with the methodical, interior dominance—but they match up perfectly for television.
Key Stats from the 2025 Matchup
- Final Score: USC 67, Kansas State 61
- Top Performer (USC): Kennedy Smith (19 pts)
- Top Performer (K-State): Serena Sundell (22 pts)
- The Turning Point: A 12-0 USC run in the third quarter that erased a K-State lead.
Looking Back: Football and History
Wait, we can't talk about these two without mentioning the grass. While the basketball game is the fresh wound, the football history is surprisingly sparse.
They’ve only met twice on the gridiron, back in 2001 and 2002. K-State actually swept that home-and-home series. I remember the 2002 game in Manhattan—the Wildcats took down a ranked USC team 27-20. It was one of those games that proved Bill Snyder had turned K-State into a national powerhouse.
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Fast forward to today, and there's constant chatter about these two meeting in a bowl game. In fact, bowl projections for the 2025-2026 season already have people whispering about an Alamo Bowl matchup. Imagine Lincoln Riley’s offense trying to navigate the defensive schemes of Chris Klieman. It’s a contrast in styles that every football nerd wants to see.
What’s Next for Both Programs?
The landscape of college sports is shifting so fast it’ll make your head spin. With USC now firmly in the Big Ten and K-State helping anchor the new-look Big 12, these non-conference clashes are becoming rarer and more valuable.
For USC, the focus is on health. They need to see if they can maintain that "next man up" mentality once the lights get even brighter. For Kansas State, it’s about the "what if." What if they had hit one more three? What if they had boxed out on that one possession?
If you're a fan looking to follow this matchup, keep an eye on the 2026 recruiting classes. Both schools are fighting over the same blue-chip talent in the Midwest and out West. The battle isn't just on the court or the field anymore; it’s in the living rooms of high school stars.
Take Actionable Steps:
- Check the 2026 Basketball Schedule: Look for neutral-site tournaments in November where these two might cross paths again.
- Monitor Transfer Portal Movements: Both teams are active; see who K-State grabs to replace graduating seniors like Ayoka Lee.
- Watch the Bowl Projections: If USC stays in the middle of the Big Ten pack and K-State stays near the top of the Big 12, a postseason rematch is highly likely.
The rivalry is just getting started. It might not be a "classic" yet, but after what we saw in the tournament, it’s definitely a game you shouldn't miss.