K-State (7-5, 1-0 Big 12) gave itself reason to hope as 2025 arrives by playing its finest game of the year. Behind a sensational game from Coleman Hawkins, the Wildcats were able to defeat the No. 17 Cincinnati Bearcats (10-2, 0-1 Big 12) in front of a rowdy home crowd.

Coleman Hawkins had 20 points and 10 rebounds as Kansas State knocked off No. 16 Cincinnati 70-67 on Monday night in Manhattan, Kan.

The Wildcats broke a three-game losing streak and got their first win since Dec. 1. The Bearcats took their first loss since Dec. 3 when they fell at Villanova. Kansas State is 7-5 (1-0 Big 12), UC drops to 10-2 (0-1 Big 12).

It didn't take long for Big 12 basketball to deliver chaos. On Monday, Kansas State (7-5, 1-0 in Big 12) upset Associated Press No. 16 Cincinnati (10-2, 0-1 in Big 12), 70-67, in the first day of conference play.

K-State men’s basketball opened conference play with a bang on Monday night, upsetting No. 16 Cincinnati 70-67. K-State jumped out to an early lead, but the Bearcats kept it pretty close for the entire game.