Ron Prince said yesterday he felt Missouri was the best team K-State had played all year. He knows his team better than I do, without a doubt, but I remain convinced Kansas is better than Missouri.
Anyway, that’s the only definitive conclusion I reached based on yesterday’s football events. What more needs to be said? This program is in need of something, a jolt of some kind. Right now, things have gotten stale, which is kind of odd considering Prince’s relative newness.
Instead, I’m going to focus on the basketball team. I watched the first half and listened to the second half on the radio. For the people concerned about how the Wildcats don’t do this or don’t do that, all I can say is relax. None of this is lost on Frank Martin, who was bothered immensely by last night’s performance. He’ll get it corrected, if it even needs to be corrected.
Here’s my theory – I believe, especially with young kids like this, there is a tendency to play to the level of the competition. Without a doubt, these kids are winners, and they’re competitors. They’re also 18 or 19 years old. It’s going to be difficult to get up for the Pittsburg State Gorillas and Western Illinois Leathernecks of the world. It’s not the way it should be, but it’s the way it is. There isn’t enough of a strong, veteran presence on the court – because David Hoskins is still sidelined – to maintain the necessary focus needed for 40 minutes.
My guess is, wait until Orlando. This group of kids, loosely labeled a team right now, will come together and surprise folks. We saw it a little last year in Las Vegas, and really, I expect the same type of effort. I believe, with this group and especially Mike Beasley, the higher the stakes, the better the performance.
I saw nothing last night to alter my stance that Ron Anderson is going to be a player. He can play – he just needs to become more fluid, a better athlete. That will come under the direction of Scott Greenawalt. The guards will knock down shots – they’re not as bad of shooters as we saw last night and they’re not as good as we witnessed in the season opener, either. As usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
For some reason, there is some hesitancy by some fans to embrace this team as something special. Maybe it’s the Wooldrigde effect, or perhaps a Huggins hangover. I don’t know. But this team, already, is drastically different. For instance, K-State can get a basket virtually any time it needs one – if the Wildcats can deliver an entry pass to a double-teamed Beasley. He’s simply too good for this level – it had to be said.
As for Bill Walker, don’t worry about him. He’s trying to find his way back. I’m certain the coaches are encouraging him to be ultra-aggressive in the first half, knowing that Beasley is going to get his points whether K-State runs anything for him or not. Remember, this has to be difficult for Walker, who, as we’ve been told, is all about winning but hasn’t had a chance to really show what he can do for what? Two years now? He’s accustomed to playing at a high level, but that hasn’t quite happened yet. He’s playing Robin to Beasley’s Batman, and I’m certain Walker is in contact with his buddy O.J. Mayo, easily the most hyped freshman in this year’s stellar class, and all Mayo did in his debut was score 32 points.
Granted, the Trojans lost. Walker and the Wildcats haven’t lost yet, and I don’t see that happening this week in Orlando, either. Call it blind faith, but when you have the best player on the court every night in college basketball, you’re usually in a good place to start. It just takes the rest of the guys around him to stop watching and start playing, Walker included.
To the rest of the Wildcats, the message is: get yours. Beasley has certainly gotten his and will continue to do so. I suspect the best of the Wildcats will be on display this week, and what better time than on the national stage? Wait and see…
12 Comments
Jeff, while I agree a young team needs time, the slow start last year is what essentially did in KSU’s shot at the Tourney. Sure, there were other conference games they could have won, but I don’t see KSU having a better record in conference than last year. The next 6 games will probably determine whether this team implodes or progresses. As for Prince, what’s your over/under on how many assistants leave for “promotions”. Ronald’s an embarassing Fresno loss away from losing a majority of the fan base.
So were Ft. Hays and Sacramento State just so bad that we simply couldn’t play down to their level?
Call me crazy, but I think the Big 12 is Kansas and everybody else. I’m not convinced A&M is the monster it’s supposed to be, and Texas is still coached by Rick Barnes. I mean, talent wins out in these scenarios. Finally, K-State has talent. I don’t understand the gloom and doom regarding this team. Who’s to say this team can’t get hot and rattle off double-digit wins in a row? You never know, but at least the talent is there. That’s the difference from the past. Talent gives you a chance every night against KU, A&M and Texas. Last year, outside of that game in Austin, those games were reaches, at best. I guess we have different views of this team. Anyway, I think we’re going to see several assistants leave. No inside information, but c’mon. This train has left the station, hasn’t it? Two weeks for Pat Hill to prepare for a game he already had circled on the schedule? Uh, danger, K-State.
Exhibitions never count. And as for Sac. State, that was the opener, right? If you’re not amped for the opener, well, that’s a problem.
J-Mart, are you going to be down in Orlando with me?
The fans will start to “get” it as Big 12 basketball season rolls around.
It’s kind of sad now to see the fanbase so clueless as to what’s happening, but it’ll come.
J-Mart and/or Levi:
Did either of you get a chance to chat with Dave Hoskins? Any words/rumblings regarding his status?
How about any new stuff on the potential additions of Sutton/Samuels?
Personally, I can see this team playing much better in the spotlight on ESPN. Bill Walker craves the limelight, imo.
I am not sure I understand the hesitation with this BBall team either. I think maybe K-State fans are just trying to be more cautious with this team and expectations, rather than our usual jumping the gun…i.e. football team going 11-1 after a Texas win.
Jeffrey my man, if we go 3-0 and beat GM, Nova and NC State there will be zero hesitation on the part of the fanbase on whether this team is good or not. That said, I think we win only 1 in Orlando. Also, Tyree Evans update? tia.
I wish you would have accepted my Mizzou bet. Love the MBB news, please continue. Also, I am willing to do unspeakable things to get the inside story on whether Hoskins will be back this year (and if so, then when)….just keep that in mind.
I cannnot believe people are surprised that this fanbase is hesitant. With football circling the drain this year and KU playing for a BIG 12 title and more we’ve sort of lost our identity. Couple that with all the love shown to Huggins and they way we missed the Tourney and were unceremoniously dumped. There is a lot of reason for people to not want to get to high just yet. You can only have your heart ripped out by broken promises so many times before its going to take results for you to give in.
Trust me, people believe in this team. But at this point, they’re just waiting for something bad to happen. Then again with the cloud surrounding Hoskins it may have happened already.
Man, I love this team!! I can’t wait for them to mesh and for all pistons to start firing!! I think this weekend will teach our young team a lot about themselves. GO CATS!!!!!