This couldn't be how coach Frank Martin expected his third-ranked Wildcats to prepare for back-to-back games against top-flight competition.

Host Kansas State withstood an upset bid from Presbyterian, 76-67, Thursday at Bramlage Coliseum.

Jacob Pullen scored 15 points and Rodney McGruder had 13, including a 3-pointer that sealed it with just under a minute to play for the Wildcats (3-0).

It was the first meeting between the two programs, who couldn't have been more opposite last year. Kansas State reached the Elite 8 and Presbyterian went 5-26.

The Wildcats face a pair of tough matchups next week – against No. 11 Gonzaga on Monday followed by either top-ranked Duke or Marquette on Tuesday in the CBE Classic in Kansas City.

Nine Wildcats scored in the first half as they built a 44-30 halftime cushion, but the Blue Hose battled back and trailed just 69-65 after Jake Troyli's jumper with 3:42 to go.

Al'Lonzo Coleman had 15 points and Troyli 12 for Presbyterian, which won't complete its five-year Division-I transition until next season.

K-State had opened with victories over James Madison and then-No. 24 Virginia Tech.