Monthly Archives: October 2007

Wednesday with Frank

Oct. 31, 20074:13 p.m.

You can thank Levi for the following transcript from Frank Martin’s Wednesday teleconference call. Yours truly was being told his eyesight has gotten worse – this a day after setting up an appointment to have my wisdom teeth extracted. But enough about my problems.

By the way, there was no mention of David Hoskins, who may or may not have some ailment.


On the starters:

"I’m not sure yet. I don’t even know if the five we put out there yet as the starting five on Saturday would be the starters for us. We’re not at that point yet. We’re still figuring things out."

Any injuries?

"Yeah, we’re all right. Clent Stewart is still battling a little bit of a hamstring deal, but we’ll be fine."

On the young guys:

"That’s exactly why Tom Crean agreed to play us again. It meant so much to us, because there’s a group of guys who have never been in college basketball before. To go out and play such a talented team like Marquette, it only helps you. It prepares you for what the Big 12 is like every single night. It’s an experience that probably only benefits."

Limited to one exhibition or could you play two?

"If you have a scrimmage, then you can only play one."


What do you want from this game?

"It’s always important to see 18 year old kids and how they react in front of 13,000 people. There’s always something. That will be one thing, and the other is just to continue to focus in on the things we’ve been practicing and to continue to see progress on our strategies and how we need to play as a team. All those things are always important. It’s a little different running your practice in front of nobody and having to do the same things in front of 13,000  people."

OK, that’s that. Also, I may have something else, recruiting-related, later tonight – if I get called back. Next couple of days have the potential to be interesting here at K-Stated. Keep coming back – you won’t be disappointed.

By J-Mart | Filed under Basketball | Comments (24)

Brodrick Smith

Oct. 30, 20074:09 p.m.

Sometimes, after talking to a kid on the phone for a few minutes, an instant impression is formed.

More times than not, it’s positive. I remember getting off the phone last year with current K-State backup quarterback Tysyn Hartman and shaking my head. He was so poised and articulate, it was hard to believe he was a teenager.

For different reasons, I had a similar experience Tuesday with Garden City wide receiver Brodrick Smith.

Full disclosure — he’s a Chad Johnson fan, so it’s easier to enjoy anyone who appreciates a member of my beloved Cincinnati Bengals, if not the collective, dysfunctional group.

But he likes “Ocho Cinco” because they’re similar in size and, according to Smith, speed.

Smith is 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds.

Johnson is 6-foot-1 and 192.

Smith said he was timed this summer in the 40 at 4.43 seconds.

Johnson told Mel Kiper, Jr., before he was drafted his best time was 4.27.

Kansas State fans can only hope Smith can have the same impact — OK, on-field impact — as Johnson, hopefully as soon as next year to help ease the loss of Jordy Nelson. Currently sitting on six offers — K-State, Arizona, Minnesota, Colorado State, Wyoming and another school he couldn’t remember, which doesn’t bode well for that university — Smith made it clear he’s a Wildcats lean.

They offered him this summer, the first to do so. Right now, almost out of courtesy, he’s keeping Arizona and Minnesota alive, but he’s all but made his decision, which will be officially public knowledge Dec. 1.

His father, Lawrence Tolbert, played wide receiver at K-State from 1986-88, catching 19 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown in 28 games. Smith said his speed comes from Tolbert, who originally attended K-State on a track scholarship. But he isn’t receiving any advice on which school he should attend from his father, whom he hasn’t seen in several months.

The two talk every day, sometimes twice a day, and Smith said the relationship is fine. But Tolbert, according to his son, has been in and out of jail for some time.

“He’s in Wichita now on work-release,” Smith said. “He’ll be done in December. … He’s been in for five years for forgery.”

There is no anger in his voice. It’s just how it is, Smith said.

Instead, his mother, Launa, filled the void, working two jobs to take care of Smith and his younger brother, Desmond.

His mother called during our conversation, and he promptly clicked over to speak with her.

There don’t seem to be any character issues here, even though Smith was suspended a game late in the season for fighting.

He insists it was a competitive issue. According to Smith, he was playing defensive back and he was applying press coverage on a scout team receiver, who didn’t appreciate the attention. The receiver grabbed Smith’s face mask, and a scuffle ensued.

Doesn’t seem like a big deal, and it hasn’t scared off K-State.

Smith said he speaks with the coaching staff — mostly linebackers/special teams coach Matt Wallerstedt, wide receivers coach Dave Brock, assistant head coach/offensive line coach Tim McCarty, offensive coordinator James Franklin and defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar — every Sunday, usually for around 30 minutes as the phone is passed around.

There are exceptions, though.

“Against Dodge, when I ran for, like, 370 yards, I talked to Coach Prince,” said Smith, referring to his 361-yard, four-touchdown effort in a 42-28 victory against Dodge City.

Smith said he posted season rushing totals of 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns while playing quarterback, which he essentially explained as “in the shotgun, running around.”

Imagine what he might do with some structure.

Or don’t — an unnamed talent scout who knows of what he speaks told me Smith was “the real deal.” The recruiting behemoths aren’t so sure — Rivals.com gives him three stars.

All I know is, well, what I know.

He seems likes a good kid.

By J-Mart | Filed under Football | Comments (3)

I promised, and I couldn’t deliver

Oct. 29, 20074:23 p.m.

Not yet, anyway.

No information coming out from the K-State side on Saturday’s two-session scrimmage with the Marquette Golden Eagles. I tried going through Marquette, as I did last year, but my guy in the athletic department there hasn’t returned calls. I’ve also made attempts to share/trade information with Todd Rosiak, who has a nice Marquette blog for the Milwaukee State-Journal. But he hasn’t gotten back to me; he teased the scrimmage on the 16th, saying he’d have a synopsis of how everything went in the following days, just as he apparently did last year.

So, I apologize. I failed. Actually, I’m not done trying. But I just wanted to clue you all in. Here’s a little more I’ll add – I know what the Wildcats did a decent job on Dominic James, but they struggled to contain another guard, Jerel McNeal. But that’s virtually all of the “intel” I have.

By J-Mart | Filed under Basketball | Comments (6)

What’s the Big deal? (10/29)

Oct. 29, 200712:40 p.m.

Random musings from the Oct. 29 Big 12 coaches’ conference call:

REASON No. 2,749 why Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione doesn’t get it. Speaking to a bunch of A&M boosters this summer, Franchione cracked wise about Oklahoma’s only concern this season being what jobs the Sooners (7-1, 3-1) would be able to secure, a reference to OU’s NCAA issues last year that resulted in the dismissal of quarterback Rhett Bomar and an offensive lineman.

Well, fast forward to Monday, with the Aggies (6-3, 3-2) preparing for a Saturday trip to Norman.

Bob Stoops was asked about the comments, but he refused to take the bait.

“We don’t need to be reminded,”  he said. “Yeah, it surprised me, but (Franchione) can clarify his comments. That’s not for me to do.”

Earlier in the summer, though, the OU coach wasn’t so charitable. According to the Tulsa World, Stoops’ response was, “There are a lot of people who have a lot to say when they don’t have a Big 12 championship to talk about.”

Ouch.

Franchione, to his credit, tried to downplay the incident Monday.

“I don’t Oklahoma needs that,” he said. “Again, that was a light-hearted comment with a bunch of Aggies in the room. That’s not my style. … I have great respect for Oklahoma and their program.”

Who else thinks it gets ugly Saturday in Norman?

FROM the “Funny like a circus clown” department, K-State coach Ron Prince was asked about recruiting eight-man (or six-man) football players from the high school ranks. There are a few on the Wildcats’ roster, and Prince used the forum to expound the virtues of  — drumroll, please  —  playing in space and how fewer participants on the field forced eight-man football players to adapt and deal with more wide open spaces.

“It’s probably the closest thing we perceive to Arena Football,” said Prince, who is clearly a football junkie.

The same question was posed to Texas coach Mack Brown, and his response was about what you’d expect.

He’s never had to recruit an eight-man football player.

One final thought, a reminder, really. Prince’s Wildcats defeated Brown’s Longhorns, 41-21, Sept. 29 in Austin. Last year, Prince’s Wildcats defeated Brown’s Longhorns, 45-42, in Manhattan.

Maybe someone is doing something wrong.

REMEMBER, coaches never read anything written about them in newspapers or magazines.

But there are exceptions, such as Gary Pinkel and that glowing piece in last week’s Sports Illustrated.

“I read it once,” the Missouri coach said. “I thought it was a nice article. Honestly, I don’t read anything. A copy was thrown in my face last Wednesday.”

Right. …

MIKE Leach had this to say about this Texas Tech Red Raiders, who have suddenly lost two in a row but host Baylor this weekend:

“We’re a team that works hard, but a team that is streaky.”

THE end is near for Baylor coach Guy Morriss, as it seems his frustration with the same miscues has reached its nadir.

“It’s not like we’re coaching them to go out and put the ball on the ground and throw interceptions,” he said. “Being a former player, (I know) players are the only ones who can get it stopped.”

The Bears gave the ball to Kansas State seven times in the Wildcats’ 51-13 victory Saturday.

“We’re our own worst enemy,” Morriss said.

In fairness, the Bears are everyone’s favorite enemy right now.

COUNT Gene Chizik among those in the Jordy Nelson Fan Club.

“A great player,” the Iowa State coach said. “He’s tough. He does a number of different things well. He’s a force in this league. Coach Prince has done a great job of utilizing him, getting the most out of him.”

COLORADO received the silent treatment last week in practice from Dan Hawkins, and it seemed to work as the Buffaloes responded by upsetting the Red Raiders in Lubbock.

Of course, it was a psychological ploy, the Hawk said.

“That’s one of the things we try to do  — situational leadership,” he said. “You can’t do the same things every week. There has to be an ebb and flow to leadership. … Sometimes you can say too much, you can repeat too many things. You need a freshness to the approach.”

AND, finally, a word from Nebraska coach Bill Callahan, who informed the media that Sam Keller won’t quarterback the Huskers again this season after incurring a shoulder injury:

“This creates an opportunity for Joe Ganz to step up. I have all of the confidence in the world in him.”

Nothing more needs to be said.

By J-Mart | Filed under What's the Big deal? | Comments (2)

THE MORNING AFTER… Baylor

Oct. 28, 200710:00 a.m.

Where to start? That game was so disjointed. The scary part is that K-State played so poorly and still won by 38 points. Yes, the Bears are bad, but their defense isn’t too shabby – at least until it gives up.

What you have to like, even though it was late in the game and with the decision effectively decided, was Leon Patton with a 100 yards and James Johnson with 70+. That’s nice production, and there’s no question that’s a formula Ron Prince wants to use during the last month of the season – get ahead early with Josh Freeman and Jordy Nelson, and then salt it away with Leon and JJ.

The Wildcats are fortunate they played a flat 30 minutes against a team that was powerless to take advantage. That type of performance likely would have doomed the Cats in probably three of their remaining four games. No joke – they were that bad in the first half. Baylor’s offense couldn’t get anything going.

- Clayton Cox is a beast. Read Levi’s story in tomorrow’s Eagle.

- If Daniel Gonzalez can give that type of effort every week – and since he hasn’t before now, the assumption is he can’t – the offense should be a monster. Again, IF he can give that type of effort…

- Need more Deon Murphy. And no, I don’t have a man-crush on him. I just like playmakers. If you have one – see Nelson, Jordy – you feed the ball to him. Same thing with Murphy. He needs more touches.

- It’s clear Baylor studied a lot of tape from KU’s victory in Manhattan and tried to apply some of the stuff that worked. Tom White’s second touchdown looked real familiar…

- The defense is what it is. Baylor couldn’t run to save its life. Nothing changed from the weeks before. A team with a commitment to the run is still going to gash the Wildcats – sorry, but it’s the truth. K-State’s response? Probably to bring even more pressure.

- Scout from New York Giants in attendance. Can you imagine Jordy Nelson in the Big Apple? I can’t either.

- I’ll have something tomorrow on the scrimmage in Marquette, but it’s going to be rather vague. The information pipeline on the matter has been shut down. But I know the team fared well in both sessions. Everyone apparently had their moments, including Mike Beasley. No use posting numbers because you’ve seen them already and they’re accurate in range.

By J-Mart | Filed under THE MORNING AFTER | Comments (5)

GAMEDAY… Baylor

Oct. 27, 20071:21 p.m.

I’m going to give it to you live today, my friends. Or at least I’m going to try. Not hamstrung by a late start time, so we’ll do what we can do. As usual, let’s keep the conversations going in the comments, and Levi will try to address as much of those as possible.

Keep checking throughout the day for updates.

FIRST QUARTER – 12:23
Awful starts for both teams. Baylor seems content to try to run at K-State, which just isn’t going to work. Brandon Whitaker isn’t hitting the hole hard enough. As for the Cats, they looked awfully out of sync early, which is alarming because they’ve been so proficient on opening (scripted) drives. But special teams is going to be a significant factor, and the Bears are dreadful in that area. Dreadful.

7:14 – KSU, 7-0
Freeman leans in from the 1 and gives the Wildcats the first score of the game and the lead. The offense seemed more in tune that drive. Inside the 10, K-State went to the option – take note, Chris Harper – and Freeman kept the ball, earning a couple of yards. A couple of thoughts – Baylor’s defense is solid, but a pass interference call on Alton Widemon, who was covering Jordy Nelson step for step, didn’t help. But the real issue for the Bears is going to be the offense. Yikes, it’s suspect. Things could change, but I can’t see BU mounting any serious charges on that side of the ball. Again, plenty of time left in the game, but…

5:31 – KSU, 10-0
OK, Courtney Herndon strips Mike Machen and Ian Campbell recovers. But the Wildcats can’t punch it in from deep inside BU territory. On third down and 4, Freeman misses his target and it looked like he could have run into the end zone. Prince rips into Freeman on the sideline. Earlier, LaMark Brown left the field and was escorted into the hydrotherapy center of the football complex, dangling his left arm. Rossman connected on a 34-yard field goal.

3:34
Disaster for the Bears. Moving deep into KSU territory, Machen throws a pick to Bryan Baldwin, who was at least the third Wildcat in coverage in the end zone. Someone from the BU contingent in the press box says, “That’s awful.” It was – the Bears walk away with nothing when a score would have changed the complexion of the game.

2:25
Bad toss by Freeman snaps his no turnover-streak when Antareis Bryan picks one off. It’s time for some Weed – John David Weed, that is, the backup BU quarterback. He comes in and moves the Bears a little, but – go figure – Baylor misses a 36-yard field goal. Some poor football being exhibited today.

SECOND QUARTER – 12:53
I feel so bad for Baylor’s defense. This unit is a solid, salty group, flummoxing Freeman and the Cats for the most part all day. But that offense is a hot mess. Blessed with decent starting position after Cedric Wilson produced one of K-State’s best tackles all season – although it was a 15-yard personal foul because it was after the BU punt returner called for a fair catch. Machen was back in, but while he was scrambling, he was hit and fumbled. K-State recovered. Points should be coming shortly.

10:42 – KSU, 13-0
Rossman boots a 34-yarder. We see the option again, which doesn’t work so well because, well, Freeman isn’t the quickest or fastest guy in the world. Jordy Nelson is frustrated, but we’re guessing the People’s Champ will still get the ball another six times this afternoon. Not a crisp performance by the Wildcats, by any means, but as Ron Prince will undoubtedly say after the game, he’ll never begrudge a win – which is where this one is headed, in the win column for the Cats.

6:18
Rossman missed another one, this one from 33 yards. More sloppy play. I’m sure you’re all wishing you were here. Few seconds later, Cline leaps into the air to snare an errant toss from Machen for an interception.

4:15 – KSU, 16-0
Rossman makes it from 33 yards this time. Freeman hits Nelson at the goal line on 3rd down, but Jordan Lake jars the ball loose on the way to the ground. Nice play by the BU safety.

2:34 – KSU, 16-6
The Machen experiment appears over. Blake Szymanski, the opening day starter, is now, and he might be giving the Bears a lift. He completes his first two passes, which is plenty impressive offense on a day like this. He steps into a pass, hits Thomas White in stride, who makes a Wildcat miss and then he sprints the rest of the way for the score, a 52-yard touchdown. Again, go figure – Baylor misses the extra point. Think they’ll stick with Blake?

HALFTIME – KSU, 16-6
Ugly. That’s the best I’ve got. But K-State is on alert. The Wildcats need to play better in the second half. Not saying BU has enough to make this interesting, but you never know.

THIRD QUARTER – 13:00, KSU, 23-6
Baylor couldn’t do anything on its possession, but then K-State decided to get Deon Murphy involved. He returns a punt 55 yards and then Freeman pump-faked on a pass, the Baylor corner bit, and Murphy raced past him for 22-yard touchdown catch. He was wide open. I mean, the corner gave him at least an eight-yard cushion to start, and then he bit on the fake and was still beaten by Murphy.

5:44 – KSU, 30-6
Two key plays that Wyatt and Stan can’t do justice to – Jordy Nelson’s one-handed corral on 3rd and 5 was ridiculous. The run after the catch was expected, but Freeman’s throw was low. Nelson reached back, while running full speed, and controlled the toss. Great play, but not to be undone a few minutes later when Freeman stepped up in the pocket and delivered a 40-yard strike to the end zone to Daniel Gonzalez. Folks, that was a NFL throw. He dropped the ball – on a rope – in the only open space there was, which was into Gonzo’s outstretched hands.

5:14 – KSU, 37-6
Freeman to Nelson – how many times have we said that? – from six yards out. As Levi points out, the BU corner just sat there, almost mesmerized by what was happening. Don’t be surprised if K-State keeps throwing, and especially to Nelson, who the program is promoting for postseason accolades. Nelson has five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Freeman has now thrown for 214 yards and three touchdowns — all in the third quarter. Pretty good stuff, especially after a lackluster first half.

That’s all for now, folks. K-State rolls to its fifth victory. Check in tomorrow for my Sunday morning thoughts.

By J-Mart | Filed under GAMEDAY | Comments (59)

THE FLIP SIDE… Baylor

Oct. 26, 200711:45 a.m.

We’re doing something a little different this week. Instead of tracking down an opposing beat writer for commentary, he decided to contact the good folks at BearMeat, which might be the funniest blog in existence about a cellar-dwelling BCS program.

We didn’t want the standard fare. Instead, we asked for an essay explaining what it takes to be a Baylor fan, and why do hundreds of people (give or take hundreds) put themselves through the misery? Hopefully this provides some clarity:


Baylor University is the oldest institution of higher education in the state of Texas. Situated on the fabled banks of the Brazos river in
Waco, Baylor has been playing mediocre football since 1899. Baylor
football has had its high-water marks (Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, ranked #3 in the country) in its illustrious history, and its
low-water marks (1996-present).

What keeps fans like us coming back for more is the pull of tradition,
the eternal hope of the next season, and the fact that its the only
college football for miles around. Baylor fans are a long-suffering
sort, whose expectations have been systematically lowered during the  Big 12 years to the point where our internet message boards are
consumed with pointless speculation and "turd polishing" – trying to
put the best spin on a bad situation.

Lately our creed has been "Embrace the Absurdity" – revel in the
bizarre twist of fate that has led us to the current state of affairs.
No, we won’t compete for a bowl any time soon, but our assistant
coaches will add levity with their unique pub urination customs and
zany Texas Tech-style offense.

In short, life as a Baylor football fan is a truly post-modern
experience. It has nothing to do with what happens on the field; it is
an entirely socio-linguistic construction. As our  top-notch athletics
department slogan says, "Baylor sports: More than just a game." We would add: "Not even a game."

Works for us – we especially appreciate the creed. Don’t forget to check out BearMeat  – you won’t be disappointed. 

By J-Mart | Filed under FLIP SIDE, Football | Comments (3)

I GOT FIVE ON IT… Chris Harper

Oct. 25, 20073:06 p.m.

Talk about physical freaks – the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Harper runs a 4.38 40, has a 40-inch vertical and he bench-presses 315 pounds. That makes him a natural for this week’s "Five" – that and the fact he’s seriously considering K-State.

1. Where do you stand right now? How many head coaches have you spoken to?
It’s K-State, Missouri, Illinois, Notre Dame, Cal, Oregon and Miami (Fla.). Miami just came by today and saw my highlight. (Assistant) Coach (Michael) Barrow came in and left a couple of hours ago. … I’ve talked to every head coach of every school that was talking to me, including Florida and USC. But not Nebraska. (J-Mart note: Go figure.)

2. How many of those schools you just mentioned are legitimately recruiting you at quarterback?
As of right now, three of the five schools (that Harper has offers from) are offering me as QB — K-State, Illinois and Missouri. (J-Mart note: Notre Dame and Cal want Harper as an athlete). Oregon has seen my film. They just got it and they like it a lot. Miami saw it, too, and we’ll see what happens.

3. With your athletic ability, do you model your game after someone like Illinois’ Juice Williams? If so, how do you respond to the people who scoff at your efforts to be a Division I quarterback?
Man, I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it. Kind of thought about it. I used to watch Michael Vick all of the time. More in college, the first year in the NFL. … All of the mobile quarterbacks, but I watch Peyton Manning, too. I try to take something from everyone. As for the talk, I’ve heard it. I kind of laugh at it. I’m not trying to brag, but I’m third in the City in passing. (J-Mart note: Harper has completed 49 of 89 passes for 678 yards, seven touchdowns and only one interception in eight games). I understand, though. … There are people who say I can’t play receiver or running back because I don’t like to get hit. Anywhere I play, I’m going to have to deal with that kind of talk.

4. This is a K-State blog — hence the title. What are the positives and negatives about K-State?
The positives? Everything is a positive. The town is kind of a downfall, but it’s not bad. When you get to college, it’s all the same. Illinois (Champaign) isn’t great, and Notre Dame (South Bend) isn’t too big. (At K-State) the offense is different than what I’ve been in. I’m looking at the quarterbacks they recruit, and they’re all these bigger guys, all 6-foot-5 or more. I know they run the option a little bit, like once or twice a game. That’s the bad thing. The fans are great, and it’s an in-state school. A lot of people know me up there, so the support will be there. The coaching staff is great. Overall, it’s the best staff I’ve talked to. Real personable. That’s the only school where I know all of the coaches and have all of their numbers.

The negatives? I don’t have any doubts about K-State. But for a quarterback like me, that can run. … I know (Ron) Prince had mobile quarterbacks at Virginia and I know he also recruited the Vicks. It’s just the system, and that’s what I’m looking at right now.

5. When is a decision coming? Is it too late for other schools to get involved?
I’m not sure when I’m going to make a decision. (Northwest, currently 6-2 overall and 4-2 in City) has qualified for the playoffs and we’re just playing for a seed. It’s going to be hard, to finish my official visits, with my schedule. Games are on Fridays, and we watch film on Saturdays. I don’t know how I’m going to take visits, and I’m not going to make a decision until I see all of the schools. I haven’t been to Cal or Oregon yet. I might to wait until Signing Day (Feb. 6). ESPN sent me something about doing it on-air. … I was planning on enrolling early, but now, wherever I go, it won’t matter. If I was a receiver, I could pick that up real quick. And if I’m a quarterback, I’m probably going to red-shirt.

As for other schools, if Virginia Tech — they called a few times earlier this season — called, then maybe I’d listen. They have a history of running quarterbacks. … West Virginia or Florida, maybe. But I’d have to go see those schools myself (J-Mart note: he means unofficial visits).

(BONUS) 6. Was Kansas ever in the equation?
KU offered me, but I’m not going to say anything about them.

By J-Mart | Filed under I GOT FIVE ON IT | Comments (12)

MEDIA DAZE, Manhattan-style

Oct. 24, 20074:32 p.m.

Easily digested nuggets from Wednesday’s K-State basketball media days at Bramlage Coliseum:

IT was an impostor wearing No. 2 last season. So says Blake Young, who insists he never had his legs. Billed as an explosive scoring machine entering last season, that Blake Young never materialized as he was plagued by a balky knee, a knee that required arthroscopic surgery Dec. 11. But, because he’d played before surgery, Young assumed he’d be able to play shortly afterwards as well. Just six days after surgery, Young played two minutes against Kennesaw State.

Why not take more time?

“(Bob) Huggins insisted I’d be back, wanted me back to play,” Young said. “It wasn’t feeling like I couldn’t go, but I felt like I could — just go at a slower pace. … I felt like if I played all of the time with it hurt before I got it done, I figured once I got it fixed I could come back.”

He vows this year will be far different. For starters, he’s healthy — and if you saw him throwing down dunks at “Madness in Manhattan,” you know that’s true. And instead of playing the point, he’s back to off guard, which is where he experienced all of his success in junior college (for current K-State assistant Brad Underwood) and high school.

“Just look for me to be more explosive,” Young said. “The way I score, with how my legs are back. … I’m just so much more confident. I feel better when I go to shoot because I get lift in my jump shot. I’m a jump shooter, not a set shooter. Last year, I couldn’t get any bounce.”

Or any easy buckets, but playing an up-tempo, pressure style — which is what Frank Martin reiterated Wednesday — should remedy that.

“This is more how I like to play,” Young said. “I’m a faster guy that can get out and run more, push the ball more. I feel a lot more comfortable.”

DARREN Kent is bigger and stronger this season and is certain there is a role for him, minutes to be had. Plus, he’s not used to conducting interviews. D.K. was shaking a little bit during his first encounter Wednesday.

THE team is a work in progress, according to David Hoskins, but he likes the team’s chemistry. “Everybody on this team likes each other,” he said. On the topic of Mike Beasley, Hoskins said the freshman doesn’t understand the speed he’s going to have to play at this season, but he also warned against suggesting Beasley might be coasting. “It’s his comfort speed,” Hoskins said. “He makes it look (easy). I don’t think he coasts, but. … he’s a lot faster than guys his size. Maybe you want him to run a little faster, but if his jog is just as fast as their run, it’s kind of tough to say he doesn’t run hard — because of his athleticism.”

AS for that little hand signal/symbol Bill Walker popularized last season and has been embraced by the student body and even by some of his teammates, it’s Walker’s initials.

The thumb and the index finger form the B while the remaining three fingers are the W.

And no, Walker doesn’t understand the fascination with it, either.

“It just caught on,” he said, laughing. “I started doing it two years ago.”

For the record, Mr. Walker is enjoying college life — “You only go to college once, and I’m maximizing every opportunity I have” — and he sounds convinced K-State will become a basketball school once again.

“Of course,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time before things get rolling again.”

NEWCOMERS weren’t allowed to meet with the media, but Beasley made an appearance for the sole purpose of being photographed. Just an observation, but don’t pay attention to the disinterested look on his face most of the time. He may be 6-foot-9 and perhaps the nation’s best freshman, but he’s also the biggest kid you’ve ever met. Most of his time Wednesday was spent wrestling with James Franklin, dunking/mugging for photographers and trying to get Walker to laugh during his interviews. He’s enjoying his time in Manhattan,  however long — OK, short-lived — it may be.

By J-Mart | Filed under Basketball | Comments (4)

RECRUITING UPDATE — Babb, Reid, ‘Spoon and Evans?

Oct. 23, 20073:50 p.m.

Quick recruiting updates from three 2008 targets and one 2009.

MIKE Boelkens, the basketball coach at the Oakridge School in Arlington, Texas, readily admits his bias.

His shooting guard, Chris Babb, can shoot it. He shoots it so well, in fact, Boelkens knows that’s the one skill Babb could contribute immediately to any of the schools recruiting the 6-foot-5 Babb, which includes Kansas State.

“Offensively, they’re telling him he can help right away,” Boelkens said. “… He’s a shooter. His range has improved dramatically. His accuracy is terrific, and he has a quick release.

“He hits consistently from five feet beyond our three-point line.”

But, in the spirit of full disclosure, Boelkens wonders how Babb would adapt on the defensive end, even though the coach insists Babb is Oakridge’s best defensive player.

“They’re not sure about his ability to defend on the perimeter at the Big 12 or SEC level,” he said.

His athleticism, which isn’t a concern at Oakridge, is being questioned. As a result, he’s not as coveted as he might want. Nevertheless, according to Boelkens, Babb is “star-struck” by the attention, even if all of the major schools involved — K-State, Baylor and Arkansas — are viewing him as a backup option should their primary targets go elsewhere. That approach, coupled with Babb’s previous intention to sign early (although Boelkens now says his star may wait until the spring to decide), has given next-tier schools such as Tulsa, TCU, Oral Roberts (where he visited last week) and UAB (which plans to visit Babb next week) hope.

“Personally, I’d like to see Chris go to a school and get some playing time and develop,” Boelkens said. “I don’t know how possible that is at a large school. … I think he should go a notch below where he’s looking and be an impact player right away.”

HIS older brother Josh played at K-State from 1996-2000, averaging 6.6 points during a 102-game career.

His mother and father both graduated from K-State.

It makes far too much sense for Jeff Reid, a first-year junior at Topeka’s Hayden High, to commit to the Wildcats, doesn’t it? K-State has offered the 6-foot-5 guard who played last season at Brewster High, where he averaged 23 points as a sophomore. But Kansas, Gonzaga and Butler apparently are interested, although none of those schools have offered.
Hayden coach Ted Schuler hasn’t worked Reid out yet, and he’s only watched Reid play a couple of times during the state tournament. But from that, and after consultation with AAU types and peers, he knows Reid is a star.

“I’m expecting big things,” Schuler said. “He can play. He plays at a high level. He has made the effort and he puts in the effort.”

According to Schuler, Reid is either an off guard or small forward who can post, if necessary. He’s a 185-pounder with lively legs who “can flat-out shoot it from wherever.”

Schuler said Reid likes K-State, but his brother has been telling him to look everywhere, to take everything in.

“He’s very interested,” said Schuler, who is under the impression that Reid would be K-State’s final commit for 2009 if he issued his pledge. “He likes the coaches a lot, but he just wants to take his time.”

THE Witherspoon family has been studying.

Frank Martin’s inexperience isn’t necessarily a red flag, but. …

“We’re going to be watching Frank and K-State, and we want them to do well,” Will Witherspoon said. “Everything you read says he knows what he’s doing. Everywhere he’s been he’s been successful, at every stop. I’m wishing him well, and we’re definitely watching.

‘With all of the mistakes we made with our first two, we’re definitely not going to rush into anything with Wes.”

Wes, of course, is Wes Witherspoon, the 6-foot-8, 185-pound wing from Berkmar High in Lilburn, Ga., who happens to be, according to Rivals, the No. 58 recruit in the Class of 2008. His core group of schools remain in play — K-State, LSU (where in visited in September), Clemson, Virginia, Memphis and George Washington — although a decision won’t be coming until the spring.

Which might be great news for K-State, especially if the Wildcats are as successful as some expect this season. The Witherspoons will be watching, after all.

But it may not matter, especially if Wynton, Wes’ older brother, sees significant playing time in his first season on the court with the Colonials following his transfer from Virginia Tech.

“I don’t know if GW is the school to beat, but he loves his brother,” Will said. “He won’t hint at anything else but that. … He wants to see how it works out for him there and then he’ll make a decision.”

AND finally, a personal favorite, Tyree Evans.

Here’s the thing — this is all from Evans’ mouth. Take that for what it’s worth, and after all of his episodes, it’s understandable how some will choose to dismiss some, if not all, of what he’s saying.

Now at Motlow State Community College in Lynchburg, Tenn., Evans said he is still in communication with K-State, primarily with assistant Brad Underwood. He hasn’t ruled out the Wildcats, not like he has West Virginia for a very simple reason.

“I’m not talking to Bob (Huggins),” said Evans, who would have two years of Division I eligibility. “Ever since I’ve been following him around, nothing but negativity has followed me.”

He says his legal woes are behind him. He says he spent three weeks in jail this summer back in Richmond, which didn’t faze him much.

“I knew most of the people in there,” Evans said. “I didn’t get into any fights or trouble. It was cool.”

Upon his release, he made his way to Tulsa, Okla., for Jerry Mullen’s JUCO 120 Camp, where Evans says he “killed it” despite not playing for a month. Evans says he earned the camps’s No. 1 ranking — a claim I tried to confirm through Mullen but was unsuccessful in reaching — and his recruitment roared back to life.

“Tennessee has offered,” said Evans, who doesn’t want to sign early but just might anyway. “Texas Tech, Florida State and Louisville are after me.”

With Evans, clarification is necessary.

An offer from Louisville? “No, no offer,” he said.

Bob Knight wants you? “He said he likes guys like me,” Evans said.

Maryland remains a factor, but Evans doesn’t want to stay close to home. Bad things happen, he said, and he says he has changed his image a little bit.

But back to K-State. He likes the coaching staff, but he doesn’t seem inclined to go to Manhattan if Mike Beasley and Bill Walker aren’t around. And then there’s that “other” team in the state.

Seems that at every game in Tulsa at Mullen’s camp, Kansas assistant Danny Manning was front and center, watching. Evans said that Manning called some of his people in Richmond and told them Evans was the best college player he’d ever seen. According to Evans, Manning left a message on a friend’s cell phone — a message Evans said he later heard — in which the KU assistant said, “That Tyree Kid, I gotta get him.”

Again, this is straight from Evans.

By J-Mart | Filed under Basketball | Comments (4)