It’s a little strange to me how most fans, with little prompting, have just accepted that Kansas State is good. It’s almost become a fact - turn on the radio and hear, “K-State is going to the tournament.” I’m not disagreeing, but I guess my issue is with the nonchalance.
This is a huge deal.
Last night was little more than maintenance. What I mean is, grab the ‘W’, don’t get hurt, and keep it moving. Right now, home wins are the least the Wildcats can do. They need those road wins now, those wins that will move the RPI meter.
What more can be said about Mike? I thought Doc Sadler’s comments were sufficient.
I think Frank pushed the right buttons with Jake, no?
Foul shooting concerns me. Missing shots? Not so much because this team was never going to be known for its marksmanship - with the exception of Mike. Defensive intensity for an entire 40 minutes might be another point of contention.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
But this team is growing. You can see it. These players like each other. The coaching staff loves the players. It’s a nice situation, no doubt.
K-State is 16-5 and 6-1 in the Big 12. Frank Martin is going to win 20 games - easily - in his first season as a head coach. He just might win the Big 12, too.
18 Comments
Well said. The team chemistry really is amazing. Any chance I can get my Mama Sayz fix today?
Last night was a “business-like” effort from the basketball team that we used to see from our football team quite often under Bill Snyder (the middle years, not the beginning years or the ending years). They didn’t play great, but took care of business. I am concerned with our defensive intensity and outside shooting consistency. We’ve got a couple more conference losses coming, in my opinion. But I think we’re in good shape.
My ONLY concern at this point is the lack of concentration that seems to overcome this time at times. The 5-7 minute stretch of the 2nd half of the NU game was as bad as I have seen this year. My buddy turned to me during the game and said - “Is this a Mizzou rewind?” It certainly felt like it for a while.
It’s tough for any team to keep it together for 40 minutes, let alone a team that has it’s most talented players as Freshmen. However, if we can minimize the lapses, and the reliance of launching ill-advised 3 point shots, we have a chance to finish in the top 3 of the B12. I’m hopeful that this team gets fired up for Saturday’s game against OSU. While OSU is 2-6 in the league, we are 1-10 vs them since B12 play originated.
ICTCAT, is that true? 1-10? Wow… At the Bram, though, and a Saturday game - no excuses for fans not to show up.
I think a lot of fans are not considering what this team has been through recently. The Gilbert suspension, Delonte’s problem, emotional highs and lows of the KU win, MU loss and passing of Vanessa Stewart would take a toll on anyone much less a young team like ours. I’m sure there are other nagging injuries like Beas’s toe we don’t know about - it’s part of the wear and tear of big time ball. I am continually impressed with the ability of Frank Martin and his staff to continue to keep all of this together.
I’m interested as to when or if Gilbert is coming back.
astute comment re. the nonchalance. i don’t understand it either. especially since, about 6 weeks ago, everyone not affiliated with k-state in some way was still penciling ksu in as “team most likely to trainwreck”.
The team would have to stage a colossal collapse to miss the tourney, so that concern has faded. I think we’re all sitting back and trying to assess what level this team will reach over the course of the entire Big 12 season. I think we’re fortunate that the schedule is in our favor in the wake of the emotion and energy of the first KU game. We can hit a mid-season lull and still win most of the ganmes in this current stretch…
I am enjoying every minute of this team. I am thrilled Frank Martin is quietly doing his job and will be called a “coaching genius” before this season is complete. The KC Star will have to eat all their unfortunate slander against him. Kudso to KSU administration for “staying the course” and making the right decisions. A Cat Fan Forever.
We will have to have a better showing vs. OSU as they are one of the best road teams in the world. Sutton really turning up the coaching a few notches recently too. Word is Pickens really impressed with Sean and thinking long term deal instead of previous plan to make Bill Self the most overpaid coach in sport.
ICTCAT said it pretty succicntly… this team falls asleep at times in games they percieve they should win(CU, MU, NU) and it cost them in Columbia. Bill likes to shoot that 3 ball at some unusual times in the shot clock and really plays a bit carelessly at times.
They showed their collective potential against KU but have reverted a bit to their non-conference performances.
JMart: Who do like on the team to take the last second shots? I like Pullen or Beasley but could be talked into Stew also.
I’m enjoying the success, not taking the tourney for granted. The defensive intensity needs to be there for all 40 minutes. If it is, then easy buckets forced by the D can carry us between Beas’s offensive spurts. Also, I absolutely hate Bill’s tendency to jack up 3’s early in the shot clock.
JMart,
Well said. Defense and free-throw shooting wins championships!
When this team learns to play intense defense for 40 minutes, and if they’re able to raise their free-throw percentage about 7 points, watch out! Then they can go about as far as they want to. Don’t know if it’ll happen, but if it does, I want to be there to see it!
Every ‘Cat A Wildman!
They like each other, have chemistry, but didn’t the football team before the collapse that happened after the KU and OSU games? I’m hopeful that Frank is a good enough coach to keep them focused for the entire conference schedule. After last night the team going to Lincoln scares that crap out of me. I think when Clent gets back that will definately smooth things out. I agree that fans have adjusted too quickly to being good. 9,000 for a conference game?
Post-mortem? Not sure now’s the time for that cliche’.
Spot on analysis tho. Nice to have someone who actually watches the games provide analyses versus those who just look at the stats (cough*insert name*cough - e.g., Gottleib).
It’s amazing how quickly fans take winning for granted. To me, just making the tournament would be a big deal. I understand that we will probably never have another player like Beasley on our team. Or Walker, for that matter. But this program has been wandering around in the desert for quite some time. You get the feeling that for some just entering the Promised Land isn’t enough.
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