Man, Bramlage Coliseum is a different beast when the women are rolling. If you’ve ever been to Manhattan, Kansas, on a Saturday afternoon when a top-ten team is in town, you know exactly what I’m talking about. People call it "The Octagon of Doom" for a reason. It’s loud. It’s purple. It’s a lot of pressure. Lately, Kansas State University women's basketball has become one of those programs that people actually fear visiting. But here’s the thing: most people outside of the Little Apple only know one name, and while that name is legendary, it doesn't tell the whole story of what Jeff Mittie has built here.
Success didn't just happen overnight. It was a grind.
The Ayoka Lee Factor and the 61-Point Shadow
Let’s address the elephant in the room immediately. Ayoka Lee is a walking double-double and a literal record-breaker. When she dropped 61 points against Oklahoma in 2022, she didn't just break a school record; she set the NCAA Division I women's basketball single-game scoring mark. 61. Think about that. Most teams struggle to hit 60 in a whole game, and she did it by herself while barely breaking a sweat. It was the moment Kansas State University women's basketball officially put the country on notice.
But being "the team with the girl who scored 61" is a bit of a double-edged sword. It’s easy for opponents to think, "If we stop Lee, we stop K-State." For a while, that was kinda true. Now? Not so much. The evolution of this roster has been about finding ways to win when Lee is being triple-teamed or, as we saw in the 2022-2023 season, when she was sidelined entirely due to knee surgery. That year was brutal. It was a test of will. They finished 19-17, which doesn't look great on paper, but it forced the rest of the roster to grow up fast. Serena Sundell had to become "the girl," and Gabby Gregory had to find her rhythm as a primary scorer after transferring from Oklahoma.
Honestly, that "down" year might have been the best thing to happen to the program's long-term health. It killed the dependency.
How Jeff Mittie Changed the Identity
Jeff Mittie isn't a "flashy" coach. He’s not out there doing TikTok dances or making headlines for sideline tantrums. He’s a tactician. When he came over from TCU in 2014, he inherited a program that had a rich history under Deb Patterson but had stalled out. He had to figure out how to recruit to a small town in the middle of Kansas against the giants of the Big 12.
His secret? Length and grit.
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If you look at the Kansas State University women's basketball rosters over the last five years, they are almost always tall, rangy, and incredibly disciplined on defense. They play a style that forces you into bad shots and then they punish you on the boards. It’s not always "pretty" basketball in the sense of high-flying transition dunks, but it is effective. They’ve consistently ranked near the top of the Big 12 in defensive field goal percentage. Mittie’s system relies on high basketball IQ. You’ve got to know where to be three seconds before the ball gets there.
The Impact of the Transfer Portal
You can’t talk about modern college hoops without mentioning the portal. K-State has played this game perfectly. Bringing in players like Gabby Gregory was a masterclass in identifying specific needs. They didn't just need "points"; they needed a veteran presence who wasn't afraid to take the big shot when the clock was winding down.
Then you look at the addition of Zyanna Walker from Mississippi State or the way they’ve integrated international talent. It’s a mosaic. It’s not just local Kansas kids anymore, though those remain the heartbeat of the fan base. The "Cats" have become a destination for players who want to play in a system that values the center position but allows guards the freedom to create.
The Big 12 Gauntlet
Winning in the Big 12 is basically a fistfight every Wednesday and Saturday. You have to deal with Baylor’s speed, Iowa State’s three-point barrage, and the rising powerhouse that is Texas (at least until the SEC move fully settles the dust). Kansas State University women's basketball has carved out a niche as the "giant killers." They are the team nobody wants to see on their schedule in February because they play a style that wears you down mentally.
The rivalry with KU—the Sunflower Showdown—has also regained its teeth. For a few years, it felt a bit one-sided, but both programs have elevated, making those games mandatory viewing. When Phog Allen or Bramlage is packed for a women's game, the energy is indistinguishable from the men's side. That’s a testament to the quality of play.
Realities of the "Small Market" Program
Let's be real for a second. Manhattan, Kansas, isn't Los Angeles or Austin. It’s a college town. Recruiting against programs with massive NIL collectives and big-city lights is a challenge. K-State wins because of the "Family" culture—and yeah, I know every school says they have a "family," but at K-State, it’s actually the brand.
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The fans show up.
K-State consistently ranks in the top 25 nationally for attendance. That matters. When a recruit walks into a packed arena and sees 5,000+ people screaming for a mid-week game against a non-conference opponent, it leaves an impression. The program has leaned into this "everyone vs. us" mentality. They know they aren't the media darlings of ESPN, and they use that chip on their shoulder to fuel their defensive intensity.
Beyond the Stats: The Culture of Toughness
There was a game last season where they were down double digits in the fourth quarter. Usually, that’s where teams fold, especially on the road. Instead, Mittie went to a zone that completely baffled the opposition, and Serena Sundell basically willed the team to victory through pure aggression. That’s the identity. It’s a "bend but don’t break" philosophy.
The program also excels at player development. Look at Ayoka Lee’s progression. She wasn't a finished product when she arrived. She worked on her footwork, her passing out of the post, and her conditioning. The coaching staff here takes three-star recruits and turns them into All-Americans. That’s how you survive when you can’t just out-recruit everyone on raw athleticism.
What Most People Get Wrong About K-State
The biggest misconception is that they are a "one-trick pony" centered on the post. If you actually watch the tape, their offensive sets are some of the most complex in the Big 12. They run a lot of high-low action, but they also utilize heavy off-ball screening to get their shooters open.
Another myth? That they can't run. While they prefer a controlled pace to maximize Lee’s efficiency, they are more than capable of pushing the tempo when they have a numbers advantage. Sundell is a mismatch nightmare in transition because of her height at the point guard spot.
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Why You Should Be Watching Now
The window for this specific group is unique. With Lee returning for her final season, the expectations are through the roof. This isn't just a "let’s make the tournament" year. This is a "let’s make a deep run in March" year. The chemistry between the core group—Lee, Sundell, Gregory, and the supporting cast—is at an all-time high.
They’ve had the heartbreak of early exits. They’ve had the injury bug. Now, they have the experience.
Actionable Ways to Follow the Wildcats
If you want to actually keep up with Kansas State University women's basketball without just looking at a box score, here is how you do it effectively:
- Watch the "Wildcat 90" or Behind-the-Scenes Content: The program’s social media team produces excellent short-form documentaries that show the practice intensity. It gives you a much better feel for the team's personality than a post-game interview.
- Track the "Points in the Paint" Stat: This is the pulse of K-State. If they are winning the paint by 10+, they are almost impossible to beat. If it’s even, they are in a dogfight.
- Pay Attention to the First Five Minutes of the Third Quarter: Mittie is known for his halftime adjustments. Often, K-State will come out with a completely different defensive look that flips the momentum of the game.
- Check the Net Rankings Early and Often: Because the Big 12 is so deep, K-State’s strength of schedule is usually elite. Even a loss to a top-5 team can actually help their seeding if they keep it close.
- Attend a Game in Manhattan: Seriously. If you are within driving distance, the atmosphere at Bramlage for a Saturday Big 12 matchup is one of the best values in sports. The tickets are affordable, the sightlines are great, and the energy is electric.
Kansas State has moved past being a "spoilers" team. They are now a "standard" team. They expect to win, and the rest of the country is finally starting to expect it from them, too. Whether it’s another 60-point performance or a gritty 52-50 defensive grind, this program has proven it belongs in the national conversation.
The era of overlooking Manhattan is officially over. If you aren't paying attention to what's happening with Kansas State University women's basketball, you're simply missing out on some of the most disciplined, high-level basketball in the country. Period.
To stay current on the latest roster moves and game schedules, the official athletics site (kstatesports.com) remains the only verified source for live stats and broadcast links. Keeping an eye on the AP Top 25 polls on Mondays will also give you a sense of how the national media is perceiving their strength of schedule as they head toward the postseason. If you're looking for deep-dive tactical analysis, following local beat writers on social media often provides more nuance than national highlights ever will.