Plucky K-state rejects Kentucky

ATLANTA — When the game was over, the man who made the decisive shot for Kansas State made one more big move.

Barry Brown Jr. made like Superman, leaping over the press table and sprinting into a sea of arms in the purple-clad Kansas State fan section.

Deemed by so many as the worst team left in the NCAA Tournament, ninth-seeded Kansas State rocked Kentucky in the South Regional on Thursday, winning 61-58.

Brown came through with the clutch basket to seal it for Kansas State. He darted into the lane with the shot clock running down, seemingly blowing by every Kentucky player to get to the basket, and banked one in with 18 seconds remaining for a 60-58 lead.

“I just see a lot of grit, a lot of guys that love each other,” Brown said. “We play defense the right way and just play for each other.”

Xavier Sneed led Kansas State (25-11) with 22 points, but he wasn’t around at the finish, one of three K-state players to foul out.

Next up is the regional final against No. 11 seed Loyola. Yep, it’s No. 9 vs. No. 11 in the Elite Eight for the first time in tournament history.

K-state coach Bruce Weber had high praise for Brown. “He’s the guy you’ve got to go through. He can make plays,” Weber said. “He missed a couple of them there down the stretch, but he made a big one at the end.”

After Brown’s basket, Kentucky’s Quade Green put up an airball from beyond the arc and Kansas State rebounded, drawing a foul that sent Amaad Wainright to the line for two free throws.

He made one, giving Kentucky (26-11) one more chance to force overtime.

Shai Gilgeous-alexander got a decent look at the basket, but his shot rimmed out as the horn sounded.

For Kansas State, it was a remarkable triumph. It shot 35 percent, attempted 15 fewer free throws than Kentucky and was outrebounded 38-29.

Brown, with 13 points, and Sneed were the only players in double figures, but defense carried the day.

“We got great stops,” Weber said. “It was such a gutsy performance. Persistence. Relentless. We are playing with all little guys, everyone fouled out, and we kept battling and found a way to win.”

For Kentucky, its latest group of fabulous freshman is all done. And John Calipari was denied a shot at his fifth Final Four in nine seasons as Kentucky’s coach.