The head coach was Frank Martin,[2] who served in his 5th year at the helm of the Wildcats.

The team played its home games in Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas, as they have done so since 1988.

The team set a school record for fewest points allowed in the shot clock era.

The team made to the 2012 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament for the third straight year, where they beat Southern Miss in the second round, and lost to Syracuse in the third round to close the season with a 22–11 record.

[4] Coming back from their 2010–11 season, they compiled a record of 22–11 and advanced to the Round of 32 of the 2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.