Monthly Archives: May 2011

How Frank Martin helped K-State baseball

May 30, 20114:31 p.m.

As he searched for ways to explain how his team ended the season on a hot streak and played its way into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed today, Kansas State baseball coach Brad Hill told a story about Frank Martin.

Two weeks ago, he invited the Wildcats basketball coach to speak to his players. A must-win series with Kansas was coming up, and K-State was in need of some advice.

But the description he gave of Martin’s speech at the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City wasn’t totally accurate. While it made for an entertaining story, he never asked Martin to use his trademark demeanor and stare to scare his team.

“That was actually a joke,” Hill said.

In reality, he was very mellow.
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By Kellis Robinett | Tags: , , , , , Filed under baseball, Basketball | Comments Off

Tuesday K-State links

May 24, 201112:30 p.m.

– Baseball America came out with its new NCAA Tournament projections today, and after a three-game sweep of Kansas last weekend the Wildcats have done enough to be included.

K-State heads into the Big 12 Tournament tomorrow as the No. 6 seed. With a RPI in the mid 40s and a 34-21 record, it is on the bubble. How the Wildcats play in Oklahoma City will likely decide their NCAA Tournament fate.

– Sticking with baseball, K-State closer James Allen was honored by the Big 12 this morning. The league announced its all-conference team, and he was a first-team selection. Brothers Jason King and Jared King both were second-team selections, and Nick Martini earned honorable mention honors.

– This has to be a sad day for two current, and one former, K-State basketball players. New York’s Rice High School, which Jordan Henriquez-Roberts, Shane Southwell and Curtis Kelly all attended before coming to K-State, is closing because of financial difficulties.

– Blair Kerkhoff, of the Kansas City Star, points out that K-State went 12-1 against Kansas this season. The Sunflower State rivals compete in seven sports, and the Wildcats’ only loss to the Jayhawks came at Allen Fieldhouse in men’s basketball. Jacob Pullen helped K-State avenge the loss two weeks later by scoring 38 points in a blowout win on Valentine’s Day at Bramlage Coliseum. I guess that 59-7 football victory in Lawrence was a sign of things to come.

By Kellis Robinett | Filed under Links | Comments Off

Bryce Brown looks to improve, get healthy

May 3, 20113:05 p.m.

Bryce Brown had a solid public debut in a Kansas State uniform over the weekend. During the Wildcats’ spring game, the sophomore running back rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns on 13 attempts. He also returned three kicks for 45 yards and looked good with the ball in open space.

At times, he used his strength and moved like Daniel Thomas. At others, he used his speed and darted up field like William Powell. The former high school All-American at Wichita East and Tennessee transfer clearly has a wide skill set, and he’s looking forward to showing that off further next season.

After injuring his left ankle at the beginning of spring practices, he was not at full strength on Saturday. Getting healthy is his No. 1 goal heading into the fall.

He said that will help him, “Get faster. That’s what my game is about: speed.”
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By Kellis Robinett | Tags: , , , Filed under Football | Comments Off

Sammuel Lamur, Justin Tuggle still competing for top QB spot after spring

May 2, 20114:32 p.m.

Collin Klein came out of Saturday’s spring football game as the clear front-runner in Kansas State’s three-man quarterback battle, but his competition is nowhere near ready to concede defeat.

Both Sammuel Lamur and Justin Tuggle said they liked the way they played throughout spring practices, and could be in position to challenge for the starting spot with a productive summer and a strong showing during fall camp.

Lamur, a senior who completed 16 of 27 passes for 156 yards while playing with the second-team offense, hopes he can continue playing the way he did during the second half of the spring game.

“I felt comfortable with the first half, but the second half brought improvement,” Lamur said. “I had more completions, and my positive for the game was no turnovers. That’s big for a quarterback. I felt like we were moving the ball more and moving the chains in the second half. I improved as the game went on, and that’s always a positive.”

Lamur’s biggest improvement was seen when he stopped throwing deep on every other play. In the first half, he continually tried to lob difficult passes down field and was unable to connect.

After a while, he realized a change needed to be made. His adjustment paid off.
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By Kellis Robinett | Tags: , , , , Filed under Football | Comments Off