I’m blessed. And you are too.
Jordy Nelson and Michael Beasley in one athletic year at Kansas State? Two once-in-a-lifetime talents passing through Manhattan at the same time? What are the odds?
Category Archives: Basketball
Fatima needs your help
Tuesday11:05 a.m.
Ms. Smith isn’t feeling inspired enough to write another edition of “Mama Sayz.” Let’s just say she’s a bit distracted right now. Anyway, she’d rather do a version of the somewhat popular and wildly erratic “I GOT FIVE ON IT.” So, since I don’t have anything new or pertinent to ask Ms. Smith, we decided to consult you for assistance.
Got any questions she should answer? Submit them below and she’ll get to them in a timely manner - she’s leaving town sooner than expected, but I’ll allow her to explain that later.
Varez Ward
May 1, 200811:35 a.m.
Does a 6-foot-2 version of former Texas standout P.J. Tucker sound appealing?
According to Mark Komara, the man who runs the Southeast Elite, an AAU organization based in Huntsville, Ala., that’s what can be expected from Varez Ward, the 6-foot-2 combination guard from the Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C..
Kansas State offered Ward, who was previously committed to Cincinnati, a scholarship after watching him in the Pearland Classic over the weekend. Frank Martin was there, and Komara said Thursday that Ward would be a fine fit with the Wildcats.
Recruiting, 04/24
April 24, 20085:23 p.m.
It can be said with certainty.
Kansas State is concerned about its perimeter game.
The coaching staff is seeking shooters, anything to avoid a repeat of the 0-for-13 embarrassment K-State tossed up from long range in its second-round loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament.
But Wednesday’s commitment from Hutch center Abdul Herrera - the first pledge in the Class of 2008 - only adds depth to the frontcourt.
Montrell McDonald…
April 24, 200811:36 a.m.
Has not made up his mind.
In fact, the Cowley County C.C. guard is getting frustrated with the whole process.
He admitted Thursday that Texas Tech is the leader for his services, but he added Kansas State isn’t out of the picture. The problem is, he said, after he feels good about one situation, he hears from other schools. Those coaches then tout their schools, and how McDonald would be a better fit there, and it’s all become confusing.
Latavious Williams
April 24, 200811:16 a.m.
Don’t underestimate the effect of Michael Beasley on Kansas State recruiting.
You’ve likely read about how Starkville, Miss., forward Latavious Williams is interested in K-State because of Beasley, his favorite college basketball player during the past season.
Largely because of Beasley, the Wildcats were deemed must-see television - at least they were in Starkville.
Fatima says…
April 23, 20083:19 p.m.
This isn’t a “Mama Sayz” because she hasn’t written for a while. She’s a slacker. And if you see her, tell her as much.
For real, I just finished talking to Ms. Smith, a.k.a. Michael Beasley’s mother, and she told me some interesting things, some things that might have slipped through the cracks. Or, OK, some things I may have ignored in my KU-induced stupor:
Money matters
April 16, 20082:49 p.m.
Frank Martin is being paid $760,000 per year, which puts him in the lower tier of Big 12 coaches. Not sure of Doc Sadler’s new deal at Nebraska or Scott Drew’s at Baylor, but based on 2007-08 compensation, Martin probably ranked fifth or sixth in pay.
Do you think he was a bargain? And based on Year 1 and what else has happened around the conference to successful coaches in Year 2 (OU’s Jeff Capel is in the million-dollar club and Sadler was extended), should K-State sweeten his deal?
Montrell McDonald
April 15, 200810:35 a.m.
It’s down to Kansas State and Texas Tech for Montrell McDonald’s services. For now.
The Cowley Community College wing enjoyed his visit a couple of weekends ago to Manhattan, saying K-State “was pretty cool.” He hung out with David Hoskins and Michael Beasley, and he seems to have had a good time.
But…
On Mike
April 14, 20087:46 a.m.
How much of a decision is there to make when millions are on the line? More than you think.
Of course, Mike is going to take the money. Who wouldn’t? But he knows the money will be there whenever he decides he’s ready. And he’s not sure that time is now.
I’ve had extensive conversations with his mother - I think you guys know her by now - and the best way to describe Mike’s mind-state was, in Ms. Smith’s words, “one foot in, one foot out.” I don’t think this was a foregone conclusion like many suggest it was.
Again, with millions on the line - yeah, it’s a pretty easy decision for you or me. But barring a catastrophic injury - but even then, as Dalonte Hill told me weeks ago, Kenyon Martin broke his leg in the Conference USA tournament but was still the No. 1 pick in the 2000 NBA Draft just months later - the money will always be there.
And those crucifying Frank Martin for saying he expects Mike to leave are ridiculous. We all expect him to leave - why should Frank be any different? And if something - God Forbid - were to happen to Mike, it would be on Martin’s watch. Something tells me Frank doesn’t want to take that chance.
It’s hokey, sure, but Mike loves K-State. You’re tired of reading it, I’m tired of writing it, but it’s true. And when was the last time he remained in one place - with his family - for more than one year? There are a lot of compelling reasons why he might return, but in reality, there are millions why he won’t.