The Stags compete with the Bobcats for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title. Defending champion Fairfield earned the MAAC's top seed with a 19-1 record in league play, only losing to Quinnipiac on March 8. The Bobcats have won 12 in a row.
The No. 5 Wildcats and No. 12 Stags meet in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Fairfield cruised to a second straight Metro Atlantic Athletic title by winning 22 of its past 23. Kansas State is 4-5 at March Madness under head coach Jeff Mittie.