Monthly Archives: September 2008

Madness in Manhattan set for Oct. 17

Sept. 30, 200810:29 a.m.

From the Kansas State sports information department:

Fans will get their first glimpse of the Wildcat basketball teams on Friday, Oct. 17, as the athletics department will host the third annual “Madness in Manhattan” at Bramlage Coliseum.

The event, which tips-off the start of basketball season, is free and open to the general public.   Doors will open at 7 p.m. for an autograph session with the men’s basketball team on the concourse.  The actual festivities will kick off at 8:15 p.m. on the Bramlage Coliseum floor.

Activities will begin with performances by Willie Wildcat, the Classy Cats and a Laser Show prior to the introduction of the men’s and women’s squads.  Following comments by both teams, the evening will conclude with a co-ed scrimmage.  The women’s basketball team will be available for autographs following the event at 9:30 p.m. on the concourse.

Fans will also have a chance to win prizes and participate in contests as well as pick up team posters and schedule cards at the event.  The first 1,500 fans will receive glow-sticks, while free “Madness in Manhattan” T-shirts will be given out throughout the evening.  In addition, the winners of the elementary school “K-State Basketball poster” contest will be announced.

The basketball teams kick off their seasons with exhibition contests against Washburn.  The women’s squad will host the Lady Blues on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m., while the men’s team will host the Ichabods a week later on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m.

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Chandler arrested

Sept. 29, 20088:55 a.m.

Senior safety Gary Chandler was arrested early Sunday morning in Manhattan by the Riley County Police Department.

The details aren’t available yet – RCPD spokesman Lt. Kurt Moldrup said the files would be available around 9:30 a.m., at which time I’ll be on my way to Manhattan for this week’s news conference – but the report says driving with a suspended or canceled license, obstructing the legal process and something else pertaining to violence (EDIT: It was actually habitual violator, and I’m an idiot.)

Again, all of the details aren’t available right now.

Chandler, the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2007, has played in four games this season, recording 11 tackles. But he didn’t have a tackle in Saturday’s victory against Louisiana-Lafayette. He was listed as Courtney Herndon’s backup for this weekend’s Big 12 opener against Texas Tech.

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THE MORNING AFTER – Louisiana-Lafayette

Sept. 28, 20083:30 p.m.

We get it – it’s hard to get a win, you can’t begrudge a victory, etc.

It’s all been said before, maybe too often.

Ask yourself this – how many more games can you see Kansas State winning?

Sure, it’s reasonable to expect a certain amount of improvement and growth from the Wildcats, but it was also reasonable to expect a certain amount of improvement and growth from the season opener against North Texas until yesterday, and have you seen it?

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FLIPSIDE – Louisiana-Lafayette

Sept. 26, 200810:33 a.m.

Joshua Parrott covers the Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser . His blog can be found here. He was born in Olathe, and how’s this for staying true to his local roots? He said he was “angry” when Texas A&M beat K-State in the 1998 Big 12 Championship, so that should endear him to most of you. Here’s his analysis of what we should expect tomorrow:

Two weeks after a 20-17 loss at Illinois, UL gets another crack at beating a BCS conference team on the road.

This time, the Ragin’ Cajuns play Kansas State in a game I think will be closer than many expect.

The Wildcats will get a good look at UL’s tandem of quarterback Mike Desormeaux and running back Tyrell Fenroy. Prince called those two of the better offensive players his team will play this season, and he’s right.

Read More »

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K-Stated: The Vlog, Take 4

Sept. 25, 200811:47 a.m.

A couple of other quick tidbits – someone sent me the link to Josh Freeman’s recent Sporting News diary entry with this is the subject header: “K-State QB Josh Freeman ‘misplaces’ his 4-foot python,” and c’mon, how are you not going to click on that?

I have calls in to Fatima Smith about particulars of Michael Beasley’s endorsement deal with adidas. Also, Beasley said his immaturity played a role in failing to come forward about his involvement in the NBA rookie symposium that resulted in a $50,000 fine.

And lastly, there’s my latest vlog (or is it v-log?) attempt:

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CLOSEUP: Mike Desormeaux

Sept. 24, 200811:38 a.m.

(J-MART NOTE: This is a new feature I’m introducing this week to add some perspective on Kansas State’s upcoming foe. It might be a star player, an assistant coach, a cheerleader, whatever. Sometimes, like today, it will be strictly informative. Other times, it might be only for entertainment purposes. Stay tuned.)

Louisiana’s Mike Desormeaux (pronounced dess-uh-mo) doesn’t consider himself a quarterback, despite statistics to the contrary and comments like these from Kansas State coach Ron Prince:

“… You hear a lot about dual-threat quarterbacks, and I think about all of the ones I have seen — this one might be the best one. Legitimately an unbelievable passer, very accurate, has tremendous sense of timing on his passes… He can pass from within the pocket and on the move.

“And then, he is the leading rusher among quarterbacks in the country.”

Desormeaux realizes it’s a compliment.

It’s his current position, and he’s thriving there, completing 64 percent of his passes while leading the Ragin’ Cajuns in rushing at 112.7 yards per game. But he believes he’s more than that, although playing quarterback would be enough for most.

“I’m a football player,” he said Tuesday. “I just love to play the game.”

He has lined up at wide receiver and nickel back. He has participated on special teams, and he’s no joke — he has been named first team all-conference for three consecutive seasons as an all-purpose performer.

But for the time being, he’s a quarterback. A pretty good one, too.

Read More »

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Checking in with Frank

Sept. 23, 200810:49 a.m.

Don’t know about you, but I needed a temporary diversion from football.

So I spoke with Frank Martin last week on a variety of topics. Nothing too groundbreaking – how enticing is that? – but I anticipate things heating up in the next couple of weeks as the season draws near. Remember, “Madness in Manhattan” is scheduled for Oct. 17; the football team is at Colorado the next day, though.

Decisions, decisions.

Anyway, here are some of his thoughts…

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THE MORNING AFTER – Louisville

Sept. 18, 20088:49 a.m.

I used the word “exposed” repeatedly last night to characterize what happened to Kansas State, but I’m not certain that’s correct.

This is who the Wildcats have always been, even during those two lopsided victories against feeble competition to open the season. Maybe exposed to a national audience, but this was hardly a surprise. Don’t believe me? Ron Prince said as much afterwards. He’d been saying for weeks how concerned he was about pass protection and the play of both lines.

Now, I believe pass protection can be shored up. And it’s simple – protect Josh, and he’s as good as anyone around with time to throw. Allow him to get hit and he’s a shell of himself. It is what it is. Just protect the man – he’s your best offensive weapon. What’s troubling, in my estimation, is the defensive line. Shocking, right? Hardly any push on Hunter Cantwell. Stopping the run? The next open-field tackle will be the first. And this is where I disagree with Prince, who said all of the problem areas could be fixed – I’m not sure there is an answer already on this roster. The defensive scheme – multiple, 3-4, or whatever other mumbo-jumbo Tim Tibesar and Co. have concocted – is in place, and abandoning it now would be a disaster. But the playmakers up front? Where are they?

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FLIP SIDE: Louisville

Sept. 17, 20083:48 p.m.

My life has gotten a little hectic lately, but I know – you don’t want to hear about it. And I don’t blame you.

This is a little late, but I spaced on putting it on the site. C.L. Brown covers Louisville for the Louisville Courier-Post, and he was kind enough to trade viewpoints on tonight’s game with me. His blog can be found here, but here’s the take he wrote Monday (!) for K-Stated:

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K-Stated: The Vlog, Take 3

Sept. 4, 20084:20 p.m.

It’s back, whether you’re ready or not. Feast your eyes on this:

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