College Basketball - KSU

Leadership requires consistencyThe original purpose for this study was to determine if my “impression” of Kansas State’s players was correct. While doing their stats all season, I was constantly amazed at how inconsistent they were from game to game. I did not notice it at all for Kansas – except that I was positive Aldrich was much more consistent than Collins. So, after some debate about it with K-Staters I decided to do an extensive analysis on this subject. I did a couple preliminary posts on the subject as preparation. If you want to know the deep details of what Standard Deviation means – or what my adjustments to it were, then you can read this post. If you want to read a lighter version, then you check out this post. However, if you just want the bottom line, I’ll give it to you without much explanation.

Frank Martin's reaction to (fill in the blank)Well, the season is over and so should any claims that Kansas State belonged in the NCAA tournament. San Diego State had their way with the team Friday night. While the game was, admittedly, in San Diego, it’s still true the Cats did not provide any evidence that they should have been considered by the committee ahead of the Aztecs – much less numerous other teams. In fact, just the opposite.

KSUThere wasn’t anything particularly special about the game other than it was a post season victory. That’s one more win than the team had in the Big 12 conference tournament. Of course it was at home and versus Illinois State and in the NIT and by only four points… in overtime… But, a win is a win.

Maids a' milkingAnd, oh what a bad day that was! If I have to hear another coach complain about not getting a chance to lose in the first round of the NCAA tournament, please shoot me! The worst offender – at least around these parts - is Frank Martin. Hey Frank, give it a rest! You have absolutely no good argument. You weren’t even close to making it! I will agree a four seed in the NIT is a little low, but there were a number of teams that deserved an NCAA bid above you. If you have a gripe, it isn’t the NCAA that you should be addressing, it’s the NIT! And, that’s only the beginning…

Cats head to the NITThe Wildcats took the mystery out of an NCAA bid by losing to Texas. Even if they had beaten the Longhorns, I doubt they would have been invited unless they also beat Baylor – a much easier feat than Kansas. So, now it’s time for the Cats to concentrate on the NIT and try to do some damage there. I realize the desire to be selected to the big dance, but at the same time, the odds are they would have been one and done anyway. Who knows? They may win the NIT.

Fourth placeConventional wisdom is that Kansas State is exactly where they wanted to be – the fourth seed. As I discussed after their last victory, they would probably have been better off if they had been seeded fifth. That would have given them one more victory (presumably) by having a first round game with Colorado. Instead, it is Texas that gets that victory. Either way, it would have been KSU vs TEX in the quarterfinals.

What's a good punch line?Getting into the NCAA Tournament is much less likely now than it was, but it is still possible – and no, I’m not referring to getting the automatic berth by winning the Big 12 tournament. I’ll explain what is needed, but the first thing to do is to determine if they can still get the #4 seed. They can…

I have no idea what a Husker Cat is. I just thought it was cool.Kansas state stayed one step ahead of the NCAA grim reaper Saturday – winning at home against Nebraska. The victory not only gave the club 20 wins, but was the first of four victories the Wildcats must have in order to make the big dance. The two remaining regular season games are at Oklahoma State and at home against Colorado. If they win both, they will be the fourth seed and get a bye in the first round. At the moment, they would play Texas in the second round – assuming everything works out. That might be the best possible scenario. If they beat the Longhorns, they will be 23-9 with a game against one of the big boys in the semis of the Big 12 tournament. I would think a fourth consecutive victory culminating in a win over Texas would (should) do the trick.

Denis ClementeAs I discussed previously on this blog, I fully expected K-State to get hammered against Missouri. The stars were just too aligned. The fact that K-State won big at Manhattan coupled with MU’s undefeated home streak coupled with MU’s style of play just made it all but inevitable. However, I also said my headline would be “Tigers leave nothing but fur.” I decided to get positive instead, but the 20 point margin was misleadingly small.

Jamar SamuelsIn what has to be considered the ugliest game of the season in the Big 12, if not the known universe, Kansas State came from behind at halftime and beat Iowa State 50-46. Normally, I don’t even bother with the score in my post-game comments. Like you don’t know??? However, in this case it bears repeating simply because anytime you have a Division I game with a total of less than 100 points, you have just seen the basketball definition of U-G-L-Y. Needless to say, I’m pretty thrilled with my Phoenix Suns right now (422 points in the last three games)… Oops, got off on a tangent there.

Before and ...The Wildcats made a mockery out of February non conference match-ups tonight – completely devouring the Eagles of N.C. Central 95-49. Of course, it isn’t exactly a surprise. Jeff Sagarin ranks 347 teams. NCC is #346. Only the NJIT Highlanders are worse – and then just barely. Anything short of a massacre would have been seen as a defeat for K-State. They didn’t disappoint, but at the same time I have to wonder what in the heck were they doing playing them. I’m sure there is an explanation, but even if you know, please don’t bother telling me. I don’t care.

K-State NumerologyI’m reminded of one of those IQ tests where they give you a series of numbers and you are supposed to figure out what the next number should be. So, here is mine to you… 5,3,6,4,?  If you can figure out what number comes next, you probably know where I'm heading. Anyway, here is the answer…

"Streaky Cat"K-State extended their winning streak to five games. It is the Cats’ third 5+ game winning streak of the season. Five wins, three losses. Six wins, four losses. Five wins. If, after KSU lost by 18 at home against Baylor to go 0-4 in the Big 12, you had asked me what were the odds of K-State being  6-4 against Kansas, I would have not only said “zero chance”, but I would have laughed at the ludicrous nature of the question. That’s just being honest, but I suspect everyone else would have said the same thing. Of course, KSU still has to beat Texas Tech to have the streak intact prior to KU on Saturday, but with the game at home and five wins in a row while playing a team that is 1-6 in the conference and 1-8 on the road, that would seem to be all but certain.

4 in a rowAnd, rebound they did, beating the Cyclones on the board 49-32. That 17 rebound margin is the best, by far, over what I would call a “real” opponent. But, rebound in this context also means winning four straight Big 12 games after beginning the conference season 0-4. You gotta wonder how often that has happened in the Big 12, Big 8 or any other conference. And, no, I’m not going to spend a week and a half trying to find out. Just wondering.

Denis ClementeDenis Clemente scored 44 points against Texas. Make that, at Texas. This was the fifth best point total in K-State history, the sixth best total against Texas and tied for the best point total in Big 12 history. Tables below. And, we can’t forget about the K-State victory in all the Denis talk. The 85-81 overtime win for the Wildcats was not only surprising, but gave them two consecutive victories against strong opponents. If not for the disproportionate production by one person, I’d be on board.

Cats put a little spring their stepAlthough the Vegas line had this game close, I couldn’t see how K-State was going to slow down MU’s offense which had been clicking on 97 cylinders the past two outings. Of course, that’s why I don’t bet! Kansas State may have saved their Big 12 season from complete collapse, beating Missouri by 16. If the two point OT victory at Colorado was sticking a finger in the dike, tonight’s win was worth a couple truck loads of cement.

Sometimes that’s the best you can hope for. In K-State’s case, the dam wassa burstin’ and it was either get the hole plugged or enjoy last place in the conference. As it turns out, a road win is a road win – even against Colorado, even in OT, even when you almost blew it.

LaceDarius Dunn 33 pointsThis isn’t exactly breaking news, but the Cats lost their last chance to save the season tonight. Baylor may have been ranked, but the game was in Manhattan and the line was pick’em. Losing by 18 was not on the agenda and not acceptable. Being 0-4 in the conference with an average losing margin of 16 points pretty well guarantees any last hopes of making the NCAA tournament … are shot. Of course, if your definition of saving the season means you prepare for next year, well then…

Nebraska over K-StateThis was anything other than an 11-5 team that averaged 79 ppg. K-State lost by 22 points at Nebraska – a worse margin than against KU or OU, their previous Big 12 opponents. The 51 points is equally embarrassing. Of course, I don’t want to slight Husker fans. Nebraska is 12-4 with a couple very close losses as well as having lost to a ranked team. Besides, it was on the road, the same place Missouri came up short just days before. Still, there’s bad and then there’s….