I know there are enough of us to participate in this thread, even when our seasons inevitably go to shit.
KSU vs Western Illinois today, tip-off at 3:00 pm.
One thing I noticed near the end of the game on Friday night - we had 5 true freshman on the court, and still played sound basketball. None of them were scrub walk-ons either. While I don't think we will make a serious run at anything this year, the foundation is being laid for a solid program in the future. [Reply]
Wow, don't look now but the computers absolutely love K-State. Remember those years when KSU would have a halfway-decent W/L record but got shut out because of the RPI? Yeah. That wont happen this year.
Even if they lose a few more games in the conference than their fans might want, their extremely tough non-conference schedule gives them extra margin of error that they just didn't have in previous seasons.
RPI Rankings:
1. Duke (8-1) - Strength of Schedule #1
2. Kansas State (8-1) - SoS #4
...
5. Texas (8-0) - SoS #44
18. Texas A&M (7-2) - SoS #16
21. Kansas (9-0) - SoS #129
26. Texas Tech (9-0) - SoS #146
31. Oklahoma State (7-1) - SoS #101
71. Baylor (6-1) - SoS #198
142. Oklahoma (7-3) - SoS #241
148. Iowa State (7-3) - SoS #235
151. Nebraska (7-2) - SoS #322
161. Missouri (6-3) - SoS #251
239. Colorado (4-4) - SoS #275
Couple notes: KU's SoS will improve, they have all their most difficult non-con games in late December and early January this year.
The Big 12 conference RPI is spectacular this year at a solid #3. They might not catch the Big East, but they could pass the ACC if they continue to win in December. This should easily be a 5-bid season, perhaps even 6. [Reply]
I think if we can beat Alabama, an 8-8 record in the Big XII would have us at a 8 or 9 seed. We'd still need a signature win in the Big XII, but with KU, UT and A&M visiting Manhattan I think we can get one of those. [Reply]
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jacob Pullen, Kansas State, G, Jr., 6-6, 209, San Antonio, Texas/Patterson School [N.C.]
Pullen averaged 22.0 points as Kansas State extended its win streak to six games with victories over Xavier (71-56) and at No. 18/17 UNLV (95-80). The junior guard connected on 48.1 percent (13-of-27) of his shots, including 9-of-17 (.529) from 3-point range. He started the week by scoring 14 of his team-high 16 points in the second half against the Musketeers in 24 minutes of action. Pullen then followed with 28 points versus the nationally-ranked Rebels, including a career-best 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. The seven 3-pointers tied for the fourth-most in school history. Pullen also had seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in his two outings, while connecting on 9-of-14 from the free throw line.
They got his information wrong, though. He isn't 6-6, he isn't 209 lbs and he isn't from San Antonio, Texas and did not play prep ball at the Patterson School. [Reply]
That's good news to offset the disappointing news that Brandon Banks was charged with battery and possession over the weekend.
Not sure who would admit they got beaten by a midget, but whatever. Will probably hurt whatever small chances he had of getting picked up in the NFL for return duties. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Saulbadguy:
I think if we can beat Alabama, an 8-8 record in the Big XII would have us at a 8 or 9 seed. We'd still need a signature win in the Big XII, but with KU, UT and A&M visiting Manhattan I think we can get one of those.
with how good KSU has looked so far, I'm hoping an 8 or 9 seed isn't the expectation. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Saulbadguy:
They have looked good, but not great. Struggled vs FHSU, UNLV, Dayton and Xavier may not be all that great, too early to tell.
#22 in the coaches poll. Kinda rare and weird to have a 5-spot spread in the polls. This usually only happens when you have a situation like this where a team quietly notches some really impressive victories. Usually the sportswriters have been following along and the coaches havent really heard of them yet because they are a bit busy with their day jobs. [Reply]
Originally Posted by alnorth:
#22 in the coaches poll. Kinda rare and weird to have a 5-spot spread in the polls. This usually only happens when you have a situation like this where a team quietly notches some really impressive victories. Usually the sportswriters have been following along and the coaches havent really heard of them yet because they are a bit busy with their day jobs.
Seth Davis and Gary Parrish both were talking about KSU before the UNLV win - many had them ranked in their own polls so i'd think that is pretty accurate. [Reply]