K-Stated

How to take this game?

The Kansas State basketball team defeated Loyola-Chicago 92-54 in its season-opener and did so rather easily, which is good.

But coach Frank Martin was so angry with his team’s performance that he said his players should be “embarrassed,” which is bad.

As is the case in most situations like this, it’s best to fall somewhere in the middle. That would make K-State’s performance on Friday at Bramlage Coliseum fairly average.

Curtis Kelly looked good scoring 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds (both team highs) but didn’t look good snaring just one defensive rebound.

The Wildcats looked good on defense, allowing the Ramblers to make 24.6 percent of their shots, but looked bad being outrebounded 51-41 by a much smaller opponent.

Jacob Pullen and coach Frank Martin didn’t say much about the positives after the game, but had plenty to rant about on the negative end.

Martin said K-State’s practice leading up to Friday’s game was the worst he had ever been associated with, and Pullen didn’t disagree. He tried to take full accountability for it.

Nonetheless, that poor effort carried over.

Especially early on, when the teams were tied at 13 midway through the first half. But Kelly and Pullen led a big 24-5 run to break the game open and the second half was never close.

K-State shared the ball well on offense and five players ended in double figures (Pullen had 15, Jamar Samuels 11, Rodney McGruder 11 and Denis Clemente 10).

Next up is a home Sunday matchup with Western Illinois. If K-State players work hard and improve by then, it could be a long afternoon for the visitors.

Emptying the notebook: Dominique Sutton recorded the first K-State dunk of the season. … Samuels was announced in the starting lineup … Luis Colon did not play (hand injury) and watched from the bench in street clothes … Bramlage was not full and about 8,000 fans turned out to watch the game … Rodney McGruder hit 3 three-pointers … Martin said Chris Merriewether and Victor Ojeleye were the only bright spots in Friday’s game. They scored a combined three points, but coach liked the consistency they continued to show.

Player of the game: Curtis Kelly. The junior center scored a game-high 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots. He also energized the crowd with three dunks.

Play of the game: Jacob Pullen hit Kelly with a nifty pass at the end of the first half and the UConn transfer slammed home a dunk to send K-State into the locker room with a big lead and momentum.

Do that again: The Wildcats held the Ramblers to 14.7 percent shooting in the first half. Loyola-Chicago made just 5 of 34 shots and scored 18 points. Some of that was due to the Ramblers playing poorly, but they are impressive stats all the same.

Try to avoid it: K-State was outrebounded 51-41 by Loyola-Chicago, and the Ramblers don’t have much size. The Wildcats need to get tougher on the glass in a hurry.

Bottom line: It’s tough to be disappointed with a 38-point win, but K-State was weak in a number of areas against Loyola-Chicago.