K-State never trailed in the Wildcats' trip to Chicago, but the Ramblers kept the game close late. Jacob Pullen led the team in points and rebounds, but was he the player of the game?

The top candidates, in my opinion, are Pullen, Jordan Henriquez-Roberts, Martavious Irving, and Rodney McGruder. Here is why:

Henriquez-Roberts: Jordan had 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks in limited minutes. With Freddy Asprilla in foul trouble and Wally Judge in street clothes, JHR gave the team a spark off the bench. He was only 1-4 from the free throw line, though.

Irving: Martavious had a career-high 12 points, but more importantly he was 4-4 on free throws late after starting the season 1-9. He also improved his team-leading assist/turnover ratio with one assist and no turnovers. I don't know what to cite tempering his good game, which is why he gets my vote.

McGruder: Rodney had a momentum-changing three-pointer and 2 crucial rebounds late in the game on his way to 8 points and 3 rebounds. But when the Ramblers went to the hack-a-Cat strategy, Rodney only completed 2-4 free throws.

Pullen: Jake led the team with 19 points and a career-high 9 rebounds playing under a lot of pressure on his trip home. But he committed perhaps too many pointless turnovers.