Before he left the Coors Events Center on Saturday, Kansas State basketball coach Frank Martin joked that sleepless nights were ahead.
With No. 1 Texas next on the schedule, can you blame him?
From top to bottom, the Longhorns are loaded. Damion James and Dexter Pittman make up one of the nation’s best front lines, Avery Bradley is a top-notch guard and their quality backups give the Longhorns all kinds of depth.
No. 13 Kansas State gets the chance to knock off undefeated Texas on Big Monday at Bramlage Coliseum. Both coaches — Rick Barnes and Frank Martin — have been working around the clock in preparation, and a terrific game is expected. The early Vegas line has the contest as a pick ‘em.
For a closer look at the Longhorns, I have enlisted the help of Mark Rosner, who covers Texas basketball for the Austin American-Statesman.
First question, Mark: With a No. 1 ranking next to its name, this Texas basketball team is obviously one of the best in program history. But is it THE best?
No idea. They’ve proven themselves against some good teams, though.
Everyone knows about the tremendous trio of Damion James, Dexter Pittman and Avery Bradley. But who else do we need to keep an eye on?
Freshmen Jordan Hamilton and J’Covan Brown can score off the bench. So can junior Gary Johnson.
Kansas State has had great success against Texas in both men’s basketball and football recently. Do you see a reason for that?
Do you really think there’s a connection? I don’t. K-State won the last two basketball games in Austin by shooting way better than normal on
3-pointers. Texas won the last two in Manhattan, I believe. I don’t have that in front of me. (Note: That is correct. The road team has won four straight in this series.)
I have to ask, what was it like covering a basketball game at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium?
Better than expected. I don’t like hoops in football stadiums, but this did have the feel of an NCAA game. Very exciting.
Most of Texas’ games have been blowout wins but Iowa State, Michigan State and Texas A&M Corpus Christi (somehow) played the Longhorns tough. What did those teams do to give Texas a run for its money?
Michigan State is good, Iowa State made shots, and Texas settled for jump shots, and missed, against sagging Corpus Christi defense. Barnes was pissed about that one. (Note: you can read Rosner’s article on Texas’ overtime win over Texas A&M here.)
Texas will see a rowdy, sellout crowd at Bramlage Coliseum. How do you see the Longhorns handling that atmosphere?
Generally, I’d say fine. Maybe a few extra turnovers against pressure.
And finally, what is your prediction for Big Monday?
No predictions.
Fair enough. One person not afraid to make a prediction on this game, however, is ESPN basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb. He was in Manhattan to call K-State’s easy win over Texas A&M last week, and ever since has predicted a Wildcats upset over the Longhorns.