Boulder, Colo. ? Bob Huggins didn’t realize he was inheriting a 20-win team when he took over at Kansas State.

But the Wildcats’ first-year coach isn’t surprised, either, as Kansas State beat Colorado, 87-71, on Saturday for its 20th victory of the season.

He didn’t sit down with a pocket schedule at the beginning of the season and analyze each game.

“I don’t do that,” Huggins said. “I’m not one of those guys who looks at the schedule and says, ‘We can win this one, but we’re probably going to lose this one.’ We prepare every game to win.”

After the win Saturday, the politicking for the postseason began. The Wildcats think they’re an NCAA Tournament-caliber team. It’s the first time the Wildcats have won 20 games in the regular season since 1987-88. They won 20 in 1998-99, but didn’t record No. 20 until the Big 12 tournament.

“It’s good on our resume for the NCAA Tournament,” said senior Cartier Martin, who came off the bench to score 19 points. “But we need to keep winning.”

The 20-win plateau may not hold as much weight as it once did with the tournament selection committee. But Huggins said if the Wildcats win one of their final two conference games, 10 divisional wins should get someone’s attention.

Kansas State guard Blake Young shoots against Colorado. The Wildcats earned their 20th win Saturday in Boulder, Colo.

“I can’t imagine in this league – double-digit wins and winning 20 – leaving (someone out). I don’t know how you justify that,” he said. “It sounds like an oversimplification, but the reality is we have to win games.”

David Hoskins led the way for Kansas State with 21 points. Clent Stewart added 16, and reserve Blake Young scored 13.

“This (winning 20) was a big step toward our goal,” Hoskins said. “We feel like we’re in a great position.”