Kansas State women's basketball team embraces pre-NCAA Tournament experience

MANHATTAN — It wasn't long after learning that they play at home to start the NCAA Tournament that members of the Kansas State women's basketball team broke into song. Literally.

To celebrate their No. 4 seed in the second Albany regional, the Wildcats got together for a karaoke session Sunday night. It was just the beginning of what has been a whirlwind week leading up to Friday afternoon's first-round game against No. 13 Portland at Bramlage Coliseum.

"That would be my favorite thing that we did," K-State senior guard Gabby Gregory said. "That was a lot of fun, just celebrating that we got to stay here, (we) went out and sang some karaoke that night."

The players also greeted students in the ticket line with doughnuts Tuesday morning, and later ventured onto campus in an effort to drum up more interest in the game.

The Wildcats (25-7) face Portland (21-12) at 3:30 p.m. Friday, followed No. 5 seed Colorado (22-9) against No. 12 Drake (29-5) at 6. The winners will square off Sunday to go to the Sweet 16 in Albany.

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K-State is anticipating a near-capacity crowd for Friday's opening session. As of Thursday morning, a little more than 1,000 tickets remained.

"I'm just really excited. I think it will be a great atmosphere," said Ayoka Lee, K-State's All-America senior center, who leads the team with 20.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. "It just adds to being able to host and being able to play in front of our fans.

"I think it will be exciting and I think we'll get a sellout, so hopefully we do."

The Wildcats clearly have embraced their role as hosts for the tournament, and it was reciprocated by the students both at the ticket office and on campus.

"I think our fans are what makes Bramlage Bramlage," said junior point guard Serena Sundell, who averages 12 points and 5.4 assists, and joined Lee as a Big 12 all-conference pick. "We had the opportunity to go on campus (Wednesday) and kind of just talk to students. We had a little mini hoop out there and we were just promoting our game.

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"So, this community has been amazing."

Gregory, an all-conference honorable mention selection who averages 8.9 points and 3.6 assists, has enjoyed interacting with fans all year. She was the one who came up with the idea for Gap Goat, the stuffed animal mascot that helps celebrate K-State's excellence on defense.

"So many people were coming up and they wanted … we were giving out mini-Gap Goats, and they were like, 'I want a mini-Gap Goat,' so I'm excited," Gregory said. "I think we're going to have a ton of students there, and I really think the student section is what makes the games even more fun."

If the players seemed loose and relaxed heading into the tournament, that did not come as a big surprise to coach Jeff Mittie. Especially with the games being played at Bramlage.

"It's a fun team to be around," he said. "I think they have been excited with just the energy that has been around campus, the energy that's been around the community.

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"I think their personality is for the most part that they enjoy practice, they enjoy the work. That's why, as I've said numerous times, it's been an enjoyable team to be around."

So, back to karaoke night. Was there a clear winner?

"I think Taryn (Sides) and Ja'Mia (Harris) did really well," Gregory said, and Sundell concurred.

"(They did) 'If I Ain't Got You,' by Alicia Keys," Sundell said. "Tough draw, tough pick, but they executed it really well."

While Gregory gave props to her teammates, she wasn't conceding anything. "Me personally, I always think I'm the best karaoke singer," she said. "But yeah, me and Jace Friesen, my Catbacker buddy, Mr. Wildcat NIT, we always sing Tyler Childers songs, so we sang a couple of those, killed it, per usual."

Sundell also participated, but not Lee.

"I didn't sing," she said with a smile. "I was supporting."

The Wildcats are counting on even more support Friday afternoon.

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State women's basketball embracing March Madness experience