Monthly Archives: February 2009

My take, Missouri

Feb. 26, 200910:11 a.m.

I hate this expression, and I hate myself for being lazy and using it, but where was the sense of urgency? I mean, from anyone from Kansas State? Missouri had plenty, and it’s little surprise the Tigers find themselves in the position they’re in. Still don’t think they’re especially talented, but man, they play hard. And they cover so much ground. And they’re relentless. And they’re fun to watch.

Funny thing is, those were all things I know I’ve written or told people about the Wildcats. What happened? Why wasn’t it there last night? Is this just another step in the maturation process of a young team? Was this just a matter of a team not recognizing how the intensity level would rise for an opponent with possibly more at stake? 

It was mystifying. And it’s also way too many questions this late in the season.

Now, everyone take a deep breath. 

Because I know this to be true, NO ONE was anticipating a season of 20-plus wins. Well, no one besides Frank Martin, his staff, the Wildcats, assorted family members and a few others. Don’t throw the towel in yet – man, I’m wearing out the cliches here, aren’t I? – because there is plenty to play for. And what if K-State, as streaky as it gets, goes to Oklahoma City and something clicks? You don’t think the Wildcats, on a neutral court for everyone but Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, match up well with the rest of the league?

Failing all of that, however, an NIT bid shouldn’t be viewed as a disappointment. What could be a concern is all of the “must-win” talk that spewed from the mouths of Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente. It’s nice to be aware, and they’re both good kids and all, but what now? Do you lay down against Nebraska because you think your goals are out of reach? We know Martin won’t allow that, right? Still…

Denis can’t do it all, and he shouldn’t be asked to do so. On a side note, after Martin spent so much time telling us how fast Clemente is, I agree – he has to be the fastest player in the country with the ball in his hands. It’s ridiculous.

By J-Mart | Filed under Basketball, My take | Comments (5)

My take, Iowa State

Feb. 23, 20091:48 p.m.

Just a brutal game. Also a game Kansas State never made a habit of winning in recent history, at least as long as I’ve been covering the Wildcats. There’s always been a swagger – or, as the kids say, “swag” – associated with Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen, and there were times this season when that wasn’t a good thing. But what we’ve seen is almost what Ron Prince insisted he wanted from Josh Freeman – to keep the game close and allow the superstar to win it at the end.

It didn’t happen nearly enough with Prince and Freeman, and we saw how that ended. Prince is coaching special teams back at Virginia, and I think we’re all in agreement that this is not a promotion or a lateral move, unlike when some former K-State assistants left for “promotions.” As for Freeman, his pro day at K-State – need to get a date on this, Kenny Lannou – will probably be more vital than he anticipated. I don’t think he bombed at the Combine over the weekend, but reports suggest he wasn’t as impressive as he’d hoped.

Anyway, this is a basketball post, and Clemente, Pullen and Fred Brown have been closing games out for K-State. And I don’t see the trend ending anytime soon, either, and I’m looking ahead to next season when the Wildcats should have no less than the conference’s second- or third-best backcourt.

Isn’t the sign of a good basketball team its ability to win a road game when it doesn’t have its best stuff? I don’t subscribe to the tired, Tiger Woods-aided “A” game rhetoric because that’s always a discredit to the opponent. Always. If you don’t have your best stuff and you’re going to make a big deal of it, then don’t show up. You have to compete.

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

Housecleaning

Feb. 18, 20093:15 p.m.

Side note: the word “house” has a different meaning for various members of the Kansas State media. You see, when asked about Abdul Herrera, Frank Martin would always, at some point, say, “He’s as big as a house.”

Anyway, I need to resolve a couple of things. The winner of the Michael Beasley bobblehead doll is… sys. Sorry, tk, but sys had the winner and the correct margin of victory. In the end, to quote Jon Wefald, it was a judgment call.

So, sys wins, and I know how to get it to you. I’ll give it to Trim.

Also, I came into another pair of tickets to the Colorado and Nebraska games. I asked cbayne05 for proof after reading his comment:

I have a tattoo of a Powercat eating a jayhawk on my shoulder. My 5 year old son and I painted our bellies with VS (Vanessa Stewart) for the osu game last year. I wear a big purple pimp hat at the games. If I win, I will take my son. Last year, at a timeout, my son yelled “Go back to Oklahoma” at the osu players in the huddle. We were in the 3rd row (miracle seat) right behind their bench. You should have seen the players’ faces. If we win, we will represent well. We prefer the cu game. Go State!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is what he sent me:

ksujay

That’s impressive, and his devotion doesn’t end there. To show his support of Clent Stewart when the former K-State guard’s mother died last year after a bout with cancer, this is what he did, dragging his son along as an accomplice:

ksufans

Well played, sir. You are an inspiration. The Colorado tickets are understandably yours.

Anyone want the Nebraska tickets? Prove how deserving you are.

By J-Mart | Filed under Basketball | Comments (16)

My take, North Carolina Central

Feb. 18, 200911:26 a.m.

Another win. That was the best thing to come out of Tuesday. And Jamar Samuels rediscovering his game.

A lot – no, make that A LOT – confidence from the players about winning out the rest of the way. How do you all feel about that? 

There’s no reason to suggest Kansas State can’t rip off five in a row, but realistically, with next week’s road trip to Missouri, can it happen?

By the way, Pops said Dominique Sutton is the key to the team. If he plays well offensively, he puts so much pressure on the opposition. When he’s off, where does Frank Martin turn? To Chris Merriewether, who isn’t an offensive threat.

I don’t have much else aside from that. We all know the score. In other news, I’m keeping an eye on the Bryce Brown saga, and hopefully soon, I’ll be prepared to unveil my theory on the whole thing. Need to check on a couple of things in the meanwhile, but stay tuned.

By J-Mart | Filed under Basketball, My take | Comments (7)

FYI

Feb. 17, 20093:23 p.m.

From the PR folks at ESPN:

ESPNU will announce the rosters for the 2009 McDonald’s All American Games tomorrow (Feb. 18) at 6 p.m.  The 30-minute Selection Show will be hosted by ESPNU anchor Lowell Galindo and Paul Biancardi, ESPN Scouts Inc. National Basketball Recruiting Director.  Both 2009 McDonald’s All-American Games will be played on Wednesday, Apr. 1,  from the Bank United Center in Miami, Fla.  The girls game will air on ESPNU live at 5:30 p.m. and the boys game will be televised live on ESPN at 8 p.m.   

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

My take, Kansas

Feb. 16, 20092:41 p.m.

I was wrong.

The better team won Saturday, although that won’t be a foregone conclusion for much longer. Give Bill Self and his staff credit, and how do you not acknowledge KU doing enough to emerge from a seriously hostile environment – on and off the court, it turns out – with a victory, one Self suggested might be the best of the road variety since he’s been the Jayhawks’ coach?

Sure, it stings, especially since Kansas State had a 16-point lead in the first half. 

But I’m not as disturbed with this victory as, say, the Oregon loss. Or the setback to – take your pick – Kentucky or Iowa in Vegas. And that Baylor result is looking worse and worse, isn’t it?

So let’s boil this down. You can go in so many directions – some want to point at foul shooting, which doesn’t bother me so much. That comes and goes. I’d rather have players making plays.

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By J-Mart | Filed under Basketball, My take | Comments (12)

Goody and Cousins

Feb. 13, 200912:23 p.m.

Just received a text message from my buddy Jeff Goodman at foxsports.com. He took part in the NCAA’s mock selection of the field of 65, and he told me that, based on the current information, Kansas State was not included in the field.

The Wildcats were on the bubble, but the last ones in were Davidson, which is a bit surprising but not really when you consider how few victories of consequence Stephen Curry and Co. actually have, UNLV and Siena.

He said the entire bracket and his story, I believe, will be posted in the next few hours. That should be good stuff – Goodman does great work.

Also, hope you all read the fascinating update at gopowercat.com about DeMarcus Cousins. Good to see the connection between Cousins and Wally Judge mentioned. Because I’ve been teased here in the past for putting information out there and then when a kid doesn’t commit – Witherspoon, Kadji, etc. – it’s suddenly my fault. It’s fun for everyone, really. Anyway, when I was in Miami, I spoke a bit with Bruce Shingler, who is living with Michael Beasley and helping the Heat rookie on a daily basis in his ongoing transition the NBA.

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By J-Mart | Filed under Basketball | Comments (7)

My take, Texas Tech

Feb. 12, 200911:59 a.m.

I was kind of alarmed when Texas Tech coach Pat Knight called a timeout about a minute into the game and ripped John Roberson and Alan Voskuil for not closing out on shooters around the three-point line.

But then I relaxed because I realized that’s exactly what Frank Martin does – I’d just grown used to his act.

Wasn’t particularly impressed with the Red Raiders, but this was what Kansas State had to do Wednesday. In essence, it sent the right type of message to Kansas. When focused, Kansas State is dangerous. And when they, as Martin said afterwards, “don’t respect the game,” well, the Wildcats look vulnerable.

Suddenly, Saturday becomes simple – if K-State plays with energy and passion, the Wildcats win. If not, the Jayhawks prevail.

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

My take, Texas A&M

Feb. 9, 20091:21 p.m.

First off, I’m not a big fan of College Station.

Regardless, it was a successful business trip for Kansas State, which seems to be surprising the college basketball world with this five-game winning streak.

Not going to say I anticipated all of this, but I’m not shocked, either. The truth is, most of the league’s teams are very similar this year. There is one good, borderline (but not really) great team in Oklahoma. There is another team that has minimized its deficiencies and maximized its home-court advantage in Kansas.

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By J-Mart | Filed under Basketball, My take | Comments (50)

Got tickets?

Feb. 5, 20092:08 p.m.

Thanks to all who responded to this promotion. Please don’t question my decisions because a) there is a chance I may land more tickets, and b) my decisions are final.

For all of the winners, please send me your mailing address at jmartin@wichitaeagle.com.

Texas Tech – slumpbuster99, because the “raise a glass in the air” schtick never gets old. Love it.

North Carolina Central – tk, because really, who can’t relate to wanting to do something nice for in the in-laws or the future in-laws?

Nebraska – Pete, because the love for Matt Figger is long overdue – and frankly, a little disturbing. Plus, the Gold Bond comment still causes me to shudder.

Colorado – Kst8Dan, because, well, we appreciate everything the troops do to protect us. These tickets feel woefully inadequate, but enjoy nonetheless.

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