K-Stated

11:55 p.m.
Frank’s address: Thanks for the support. Can’t tell you how great it is. Do you think Bill’s knee is OK? (Cheers.) Doesn’t want to hear anything else about it. Practice today. We’re playing for trophies. We’re going to Orlando for Old Spice Classic, pick up our first there. Go to NYC, pick up another. Somewhere later in the year, we’re going to end a certain streak. It’s coming to a stop. Big 12 Tournament in KC, we’re going to get that trophy, too. We’re not going to three-letter tournament this year. Four-letter tournament. Rather than let the committee figure it out, we’ll make them understand we’re getting a big-time seed. Taking it to a different level, play as hard as you guys cheer. It’s unbelievable. But I will challenge you - we’re going to play harder than last year, but we’re going to play deeper than last year. So we need you to take it to a different level, make it the best home-court advantage in basketball.

11:49 p.m.
Fred Brown with a deep three, nice stroke. What can’t Blake Young do? Drains a three. Brown answers with a lay-in. Uncontested three for B-Ez. You’re all going to have fun watching this team, especially if they play the up-tempo, pressure style Frank Martin has been talking about. Right now, I think the minutes can’t melt off the clock fast enough for Martin, who doesn’t want to see an casualties.

11:45 p.m.
Andre Gilbert is now trying to fight Willie the Wildcat. Andre is fine by me. Random observations - I know it’s been said, but I can’t believe how effortless Mike Beasley makes the game seem. And, as Levi notes, Bill Walker isn’t far behind. This is a dynamic duo, and we haven’t even mentioned Dave Hoskins, who we all know about. The firepower is there this year, folks. Staying healthy will be the key, though.

11:45 p.m.
Some women in the stands just asked to see some defense. Might be the worst thing I heard all night.

11:37 p.m.
Garth Gardiner is one of the honorary coaches for the scrimmage. I’m sure he’s going to do a fine job. Mike Beasley, by the way, is wearing what appears to be an early version of Air Jordans; the funky ones from “Space Jam,” I think. He’s jumping the opening tip with the gray, with Jacob Pullen, David Hoskins, Luis Colons and Blake Young. As expected, it’s messy. Biggest surprise is that Garth hasn’t come out of his chair yet. Ron Anderson appears to have a little lankier build than Luis Colon. Hoskins’ first three rimmed in and out. Yeah, Darren Kent almost stayed in front of Mike Beasley. Anderson stuffed himself at the rim. Kent with the flush. Some explosive legs out there, man. Beasley flushes on one end, but Kent drains a three on the other. It’s an amazing matchup. Oh, don’t worry about Bill Walker’s hps. He’s back. The biggest worry right now is about injuries, I’d say. DK might be All-Big 12 based on what we’ve seen so far - just kidding. But he looks good. Walker just wind-milled from a standstill. You can’t stop DK - try to contain him.

11:25 p.m.
News of the dunk contest being cancelled doesn’t go over well. Instead, there is a lay-up line, and assorted members of the team will dunk, if they choose. Hmmm… Blake Young looks amazing. Mike Beasley makes everything look easy. Jacob Pullen has hops that will surprise you. Again, Blake looks amazing - yes, I said that already, but he looks that good. He’s all the way back to what he was apparently. Obviously, Andre Gilbert must be nursing something, but he’s putting on a show dancing for the fans. He’s going to be a treat. Beasley just received a standing ovation for a between-the-legs throwdown. Enjoy it for the season it lasts, folks.

11:18 p.m.
Introductions - Mike Beasley out first, of course; snap prediction - the fans are going to fall in love with Jacob Pullen; based on applause, Bill Walker is still very much the star of the show; remember, they’re not booing Luis Colon, they’re saying “LUIS”; Denis Clemente was included in the festivities, which is nice; Andre Gilbert seems to be the cut-up of the group, the class clown; Walker was flirting with the women’s team after being introduced; Clent Stewart received a hearty round of cheers, but nothing compared to David Hoskins. And, oh, the fireworks were a bit of a distraction.

11:08 p.m.
Bloopers were solid; OK, apparent;y the Cats are coming via police escort. Big, black stretch Hummer. Out steps Mike Beasley, then Frank Martin, and the rest of the team follows. Good stuff.

11:00 p.m.
Parachutes with T-shirts are dropping from the ceiling. Part of me is terrified, but another part of me is thrilled. Really, I don’t know what I should be feeling. (That’s what she said…)

10:58 p.m.
Some kid, Kevin something, has a chance at a half-court shot. Terrible attempt, hits nothing and draws a bunch of boos from the crowd, which is clearly lubricated. He doesn’t win a flat-screen TV, but he does claim autographed men’s and women’s basketball posters. Not bad.

10:50 p.m.
Number alert - Jacob Pullen is 0, Fred Brown is 1, Andre Gilbert is 4, Michael Beasley is 30 and Ron Anderson is 40. Wyatt Thompson just asked for all beach balls to be returned because there are going to be pyrotechnics during the evening’s events. Can’t wait. Oh, and they gave the kids (and a lot of adults, actually) glow sticks. Purple glow sticks. That’s hot…

10:37 p.m.
First things first - Dominique Sutton is still trying to meet qualifying standards and is not a part of the basketball team, per K-State coach Frank Martin via assistant sports information director Tom Gilbert.

OK, now for some opening remarks — the Bram is under serious renovations; people were cheering for what sounded like “Tee-bo,” which couldn’t be Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, could it? Maybe “T-Bone,” which is the nickname of the aforementioned Gilbert. Yeah, that makes more sense; President Wefald is in the house, which means it’s officially an event, even though they never handed out credentials; lots of media in the house for this event, but at 10:37, I’d say a full house is doubtful.

I’ll be updating throughout the night.