It’s back, whether you’re ready or not. Feast your eyes on this:
Ever watch 106 & Park on BET?
Yesterday2:47 p.m.
Michael Beasley is loving and living the life.
Check out these pictures of Washington Wizards forward Andray Blatche’s birthday party. Mr. B-EZ is, as the kids might say, doing his thing.
By the way, if you play the NBA 2K series of next-gen basketball video games, Blatche is a beast.
That is all.
RP is committed, confirmed…
Yesterday10:51 a.m.
According to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle’s comprehensive blog, Ron Prince made a last-minute run at Montana State senior running back Demetrius Crawford:
Demetrius Crawford was almost a blip on what seems like an endless list of juco transfers at KSU. On Aug. 2 of last year, just three days before he was due at MSU, Coach Ron Prince of KSU called Crawford, fully knowing he had already accepted a scholarship at MSU, and offered him a scholarship to come to his program. Crawford decided he made his commitment to MSU and he was going to “stick with it.” The rest is history.
Crawford certainly fits the profile - he’s 5-9 and 185 pounds. And the junior college background doesn’t hurt. Interesting to note that a little lower in that post, he believes K-State can be exposed upfront. Hmmm…
Merriewether now on scholarship
Yesterday10:06 a.m.
From the Kansas State sports information department:
Kansas State head coach Frank Martin announced today that junior guard Chris Merriewether (Jacksonville, Fla./Arlington Country Day School) will receive a scholarship for the 2008-09 season after spending his first two years as a walk-on in the program.
“This is something that Chris deserves after spending the past two years as a walk-on,” said Martin. “He came here and has really worked hard, even earning a couple of starts last season, to become a valuable member of our program.”
Watch out for this guy…
Wednesday1:53 p.m.
Per Montana State coach Rob Ash, who maintains a somewhat informative blog, the one Bobcat that should strike fear in the hearts of Kansas State fans everywhere - my words, not his - is senior linebacker Bobby Daly.
Note the picture.
He’s a legacy, a second-generation captain. He’s a preseason All-American. He’s on the watch list for the Buchanan Award, which is awarded to the Football Championship Series’ top defensive player. He averaged 12.45 tackles a year ago, when he was also a first team All-Big Sky and a Walter Camp and Associated Press All-American.
He’s also listed at 6-1 and 226 pounds.
“If he walked in with street clothes on, you’d think he’s our manager,” Ash said. “He’s not a big guy… But he’s a dynamic, fun player.”
Consider yourselves warned.
Where to find the Montana State game…
Tuesday6:23 p.m.
I consulted Fox Sports Net’s Geoffrey Goldman for the definitive answer on what channels this weekend’s Kansas State-Montana State game will be aired. It’s on Fox College Sports, but good look finding that. But here’s some help, courtesy of Mr. Goldman:
J-Free: Player of the Week
Tuesday11:31 a.m.
From the Kansas State sports information department:
Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman has been named the Big 12 Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week after his performance against North Texas on Saturday, the league office has announced.
The award is Freeman’s third during his Wildcat career as he also garnered the league’s weekly honor after the 2006 Colorado and Texas games, while he becomes the first K-State offensive player to be honored since Jordy Nelson last season (October 1).
Freeman was joined by Texas quarterback Colt McCoy as the league’s offensive players of the week, while Missouri’s Stryker Sulak (defense) and Jeremy Maclin (special teams) were also honored.
A junior from Grandview, Mo., Freeman showed why he is considered among the nation’s top signal callers against North Texas as he accounted for five total touchdowns, including three through the air, and 232 passing yards on 18-of-24 aim (75-percent).
The five total touchdowns tied a career high for the quarterback, who became the first Wildcat since Michael Bishop in 1997 to account for five touchdowns in a season opener, and also accumulated a Big 12-best 197.5 quarterback rating for games played this past week.
His three touchdown passes were one shy of the school single-game record and also upped his current streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 12. He also has thrown two more touchdown passes in his last four games.
In the contest, Freeman also moved up to No. 2 on K-State’s career passing yards chart as he passed both Carl Straw and Chad May and currently sits at 5,365 yards. The career record is 6,208, held by Lynn Dickey.
Kansas State returns to action on Saturday as the Wildcats host Montana State in a game televised by Fox College Sports. Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m. at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
THE MORNING AFTER - North Texas
Sunday12:43 p.m.
So, maybe it’s afternoon. Work with me…
I don’t see how you can criticize what Kansas State did last night. The Wildcats did what was expected, and they were very efficient in doing so. Would you have preferred 20 more points? A shutout? Neither of those things is going to help K-State get to where it wants to be, and after a relatively smooth opener, Ron Prince and his staff have a base, a foundation from which they can teach and move forward.
If you’re not impressed with Josh Freeman, well, just wait. That’s all I’ll say on that subject.
K-Stated: The Vlog, Take 2
Aug. 29, 20081:00 p.m.
As promised, here’s another segment. This is probably more of what you can expect here, as I hope it combines elements of information and entertainment. Kind of like a low-budget - extremely low-budget - version of ESPN. Wow, how’s that for ego? Anyway, tee it up and let it rip…
K-Stated: The Vlog?
Aug. 29, 200810:10 a.m.
Go easy, people. As I point out in the video, I want this to be interactive, as the blog already is. Send questions my way - jmartin@wichitaeagle.com or jmartin@kcstar.com - and I’ll address some on the air. I want fans to make appearances, and I might take this show on the road. Really, the possibilities are endless, but most of all, I want it to be fun.
OK, here it is:
Thoughts? Check back in the afternoon for another installment.