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.
I couldn’t get past the supporting casts. Marcus Morris averages 7.7 points per game. He went for 15 against the Wildcats. Meanwhile, Fred Brown and Jamar Samuels, each a shade under 10 points per game for K-State, combined for two against KU.
Call me crazy, but that’s a problem.
As for Denis Clemente, he’s a talent. He’s the best guard in the Big 12 not named Sherron Collins. But his competitiveness, the very thing that has turned the Wildcats’ season around, can be a detriment. In that sense, he’s not unlike Bill Walker, which is interesting because Frank Martin said K-State was looking for someone to fill Walker’s leadership void before Clemente climbed into the role.
Is he a bad kid? I spoke with some people at his last stop, the University of Miami, and while they remain tight-lipped on the reasons for his departure, they all spoke fondly of the native of Puerto Rico. In fact, they wish he was back with the Hurricanes, teaming with Jack McClinton to form one of the nation’s best backcourts.
Instead, he’s teaming with Jacob Pullen to form, arguably, the Big 12’s finest backcourt. And moving forward, we’ve always heard how in March, guard play is vital. Well, March is less than two weeks away. The Wildcats are wobbling on top of the proverbial NCAA Tournament bubble, and why does 23 wins seem like it might be the magic number? Six games remain, and tomorrow night’s game – with or without Clemente, who, without any inside intelligence here, might sit out Tuesday – against North Carolina Central is a lock.
Assuming K-State can win its remaining home games – the Wildcats should handle the Nebraska in Bramlage as the Cornhuskers have struggled away from Lincoln, and Colorado in the regular-season finale or, as it’ll be known around these parts, “Darren Kent Appreciation Day,” seems manageable – that would be 20 wins. But those road games? At Iowa State – Hilton is a tough venue, at Missouri – Pullen thinks K-State has that one locked up, by the way – and at Oklahoma State, which is always difficult at home.
Take two on the road, which might be a stretch, win one in the Big 12 Tournament, and the Wildcats will still be sweating through an anxious Sunday evening at Doe’s Eat Place.
Thoughts? In or out? A long NIT run? Let me hear them. Also, did anyone pick KU to win? Who’s getting the Beasley bobblehead?
12 Comments
“Darren Kent Appreciation Day”? Ugh – no thank you.
I think I won the bobblehead. I had KU winning 73-65 and I believe that is closest to the score of all the entrants that picked KU.
This is where we see if Martin has taught this team about being committed–really committed to each other and the season. Last year’s team folded in spots like this, either melting down on the court, or checking out emotionally because it was too tough.
This is where we see if Clemente’s foul is the start of a melt-down, or just a blip, relegated to a learning experience.
I find it interesting, that last year and this year are the first years KSU has matched the athleticism of KU’s players since the 1987,1988, 1989 teams. Now they just need to learn about being committed.
If Denis sits after Morris pushed a ref on Monday I will be pissed. But I doubt it will matter. Good game to have a one game suspension for, but seriously trash if he has it. I think if we sweep Mizzou we’re a lot closer, but that is a tall order. I’d love the NCAA, but even going to the NIT shows that Martin is a solid coach, and that these players with Talent filled in next year could be really good.
There’s no reason for Clemente to sit on Tuesday; it’d only be for show. The Big 12 didn’t suspend Morris for the body block on an official, Pat Knight for going WWF on an official, or Cookie for throwing an elbow…Clemente shouldn’t get one for a love tap. This team is a NIT team. Always has been, though the 6 game stretch made me think otherwise. 8-8 with a NIT opening round home game would be fantastic.
Yea, I just don’t see it happening, the NCAA that is. I think this team lacks the overall leadership, experience, and inside presence to get it done. NIT is not a disappointment for this squad. Either way, I just hope for a decent finish to the season, not a floundering after what was obviously an emotionally tough loss.
We lost because KU is more talented.
Anything beyond 8-8 and and NIT bid is gravy for this year. This team never had the makings of an NCAA team.
Going off this statement: “Instead, he’s teaming with Jacob Pullen to form, arguably, the Big 12’s finest backcourt.”
Best returning backcourt in the conference + 2 new 5 star bigs (at least 2) + 2 new top 100 wings + entire team of experienced, atheletic role players = Best K-State team in 20 years next season.
sys wins the bobblehead. 1 point closer than cire, correct margin of victory gets nod over tk.
I was closer to both K-State’s score and Brown’s point total = tk wins Beas bobblehead.
fwiw, I already won the bobblehead. The score and brown point total was for the TTech game. I’ve been bobbling Mike’s head all day at work today.
why did you mention some hostility off the court? did something happen with the ku players? if you want to justify clemente’s elbow to morningstar, here is your justification. watch morningstar’s right arm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y0aXSP2R_8
tk, we’ll have to settle king solomon style.
The whole NCAA Tourney thing is simple.
Get the 4 seed.
Win 3 games.
In.