The embarrassing financial scandals that disgusted donors and rocked Kansas State only 10 months ago seem to be fading into distant memory with every high-arching 3-pointer that Jacob Pullen drills home.

For the once-reeling Wildcats, reaching the NCAA tournament’s round of 16 this week could translate into something far beyond renewed school spirit. It could also help bring an end to a crisis of confidence that many of the school’s most loyal followers had been feeling.

Already, there are signs that fans may be opening checkbooks they slammed shut over a so-called secret agreement to pay former football coach Ron Prince $3.2 million above the $1.2 million he was already due for being fired.

In the meantime, several thousand fans filled up half of Bramlage Coliseum on the K-State campus Monday night for a pep rally for the players and coaches.

“Moments like this don’t take place, coaches don’t receive awards, teams don’t find success and fans don’t come out unless the guys wearing the uniforms sacrifice,” coach Frank Martin told the cheering crowd. “We’re going to go sacrifice like we have all year, to find a way and make it happen so you folks can be back here next Monday.”

The Wildcats will play Xavier in the West Regional semifinals in Salt Lake City on Thursday night, a team they beat in Manhattan in December. It’s the deepest run they’ve had in the NCAA tournament since 1988, and the first time in 29 years K-State has outlasted archrival Kansas when both won bids to the big dance.

“I think this has restored confidence,” said athletic director John Currie, who walked into a firestorm of bitterness and controversy when he was hired last June to replace the fired Bob Krause. “There’s no question the success of this basketball team this year has helped salve the feelings of fans who might have been frustrated before.”