OKLAHOMA CITY – Kansas State coach Frank Martin paused momentarily on Thursday after a reporter asked him whether his team should make the NCAA Tournament.

“I’m not on that committee. I wish I could answer that,” he said.

Then he gave his real answer.

“Of course we deserve to be there. These kids have busted their rear ends for us,” Martin said.

The Wildcats finished the season 21-11 overall and 9-7 in the Big 12 in the regular season before losing to Texas in the second round of the Big 12 Championships. Kansas State also sits 78th in the latest RPI poll. Martin said that not only does his team deserve a shot at March Madness, but so do a lot of the teams competing for spots within the Big 12.

“I find it ironic that every other league in the country says, ‘Oh, they are getting eight in. Big 12 is maybe lucky if they get six.’ Give me a break,” Martin said. “That’s the most ignorant thing I have ever heard this whole year.”

Bubble teams in the Big 12 have been feeling the pressure this week. After the top three teams in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, there was a four-way tie for fourth in the conference with a 9-7 record. Nebraska, in eighth, had an 8-8 record.

ESPN.com’s latest Bracketology had six Big 12 teams in the tournament, but Kansas State is not one of them, and is the only team in the four-way tie not making it.

The Wildcats didn’t help their cause on Thursday, nor did Texas A&M on Wednesday, losing to No. 10 seeded Texas Tech. No. 7 seed Oklahoma State upset No. 2 seed Oklahoma on Thursday to put the Cowboys virtually in the tournament.

No. 8 seed Nebraska also didn’t help its cause, losing to Baylor in the opening round, killing any chance at a run for the NCAA Tourney. Nebraska coach Doc Sadler is still holding out hope for an NIT berth.

“There is no way an 8-8 team in this league is not going to continue to play,” Sadler said. “If it doesn’t, then they need to take a long look at themselves because the teams are doing what they need to do. So that’s my opinion. I’m sure some people don’t want to hear that, but that’s how I feel.”

As for Martin and the Wildcats, only time will tell what the post-season holds. But one thing is for sure – he will not be happy with the selection committee if Kansas State isn’t dancing.

“If you follow the RPI and you follow the so-called resumes, look at our paperwork and compare it to the other so-called bubble teams,” Martin said. “You tell me if ours don’t compare to theirs. Don’t compare to the Big 12 teams. All the Big 12 teams deserve to be in there.”