K-State Slate: 2.28.11

by TB on Feb 28, 2011 8:04 AM CST in News

Once again, a reminder that you can use the Big 12 Bracket Generator to run the various scenarios for K-State's Big 12 Tournament seed.

K-State dropped Mizzou, 80-70, to continue its February run and keep its hopes alive of a first-round bye in the conference tournament.

Jacob Pullen led all scorers with 24 points, but the win was due just as much to his teammates stepping up when he was sidelined with foul trouble in the second half.

Pullen's play over the last couple weeks has put him back in the conversation for Big 12 player of the year, although he still has quite a bit of work to do. A win over Jordan Hamilton and Texas tonight would help a lot, as would a couple poor efforts out of Marcus Morris this week.

Speaking of tonight, K-State travels to Austin, Texas, to face the Longhorns. After Saturday's stunning loss to Colorado, Texas fans are evaluating whether their glass is half full or half empty.

The Bat Cats went 2-2 in South Carolina over the weekend, losing to No. 17 California to end the weekend.

What is it with K-State and producing great high jumpers? Sophomore Erik Kynard, Jr., won the high jump at the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday.

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

That's a solid writeup on the Texas site.

I would say the “glass half full” side is more right than wrong. UT is a very good team that had a couple bad halves. The lapses in focus are a bit alarming, but 12-2 is a great conference record no matter how you slice it and they have a team that is talented enough to win the National Championship.

As far as tonight’s game, I don’t have particularly high hopes that we’ll actually win this one. Yes, we’ve had UT’s number for the past couple years, but in Austin with UT coming off the collapse on Saturday that has put them in must-win situations to grab the conference title, I think we’re going to see the Longhorns’ best. And the Longhorns’ best might be as good as any team’s in the nation. I just hope we see a really good effort out of the Cats and nothing like the game in Lawrence. Based on the last three weeks I think we will. A win would be mildly shocking to me, but we’re playing at a very high level right now so it’s certainly possible. Even if we lose, the one thing I’d like to see is a big game from Jamar. His energy has been pretty consistent all season, but he hasn’t put together that OSU Big 12 Tourney game yet. We know he’s capable of it. And tonight he should really be able to show off his defense in a very difficult assignment against Hamilton.

by yeahboozin on Feb 28, 2011 9:40 AM CST reply actions

I tend to agree about tonight

All signs point to a Texas victory. We were put in a tough position with the CU collapse. I was so pulling for Texas in the end of that game. Now we in the cross hairs. Can our magic of playing awesome in Austin continue? I hope so and Pullen goes for 40.

Bitchslapping Texas since 1997

by mjk7166 on Feb 28, 2011 11:09 AM CST up reply actions

A win tonight and I think we're looking at a potential 5 seed in the Tourney.

Call me crazy, but we’d have a pretty impressive resume with a win tonight.

I’m a bit worried about Jake tonight – Balbay is a great defender, Jake has struggled on the road more than at home, and he already has the team on his back. Add in a head-to-head for conference POY with Hamilton and he may slip into forcing it too much. But he’s really playing incredibly right now. Hopefully that continues.

Hopefully ISU can be good to us this week and beat CU before losing to us on Saturday. If CU wins and we lose tonight, then Nebraska will have to take care of business at home in a battle of the Big 12 departures in order for KSU to have a shot at the 4-seed.

by yeahboozin on Feb 28, 2011 11:25 AM CST up reply actions

Jake may come back to Earth, or he may still play like he's unconscious...

But what we have right now is ‘fearless’ Jake. It’s not ‘pressing’ Jake, or ‘trying to do too much’ Jake. It’s just ‘fearless’ Jake.

This new offense has allowed them to space the floor and get Jake a lot of opportunities to take a defender one on one. Hopefully he can continue to capitalize on this and score 20+ points. Because when he does, we’re a very dangerous team.

I have a feeling tonight’s game is going to be a lot closer than other folks. Just a hunch. Nothing more.

Bring on the Cats
"Without getting into specifics, my exit involves a McFlurry machine and a video tape of risque commercials from overseas." -- Jack Donaghy

by Panjandrum on Feb 28, 2011 11:31 AM CST up reply actions

Totally agree with that assessment ...

Laying aside the stats … by the eye test, Jake has been (for the last month) playing with so much more poise and intelligence. That doesn’t mean he’s been mentally perfect, but he’s been so much better than he was leading up to that. The new offense is opening so many more opportunities, and it allows him to more easily let the game come to him.

I feel like we have a shot in any game against anyone as long as key players (Jake, CK, McGruder) stay out of bad foul trouble.

by Itchy n Scratchy on Feb 28, 2011 12:01 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed all around.

Jake has been phenomenal and “fearless” is the perfect adjective for it. I just think there are a number of factors tonight that may result in a tough game for him. Then again, he is one of the best players in the country and so should be up to the task.

by yeahboozin on Feb 28, 2011 12:06 PM CST up reply actions

I should clarify ...

While I agree 100% with Pan’s analysis of Jake, I’m not sure I’m optimistic about tonight’s game in particular. Tonight is going to take the “we own Texas” trend to the limit. I have a feeling that Texas is going to come out on fire on offense. Our defense is a constant, but they can just flat-out make shots on you.

We must play our best offensive game of the season (turnover and ball control-wise) to have a good shot, imo … along with making our open shots and staying out of foul trouble.

by Itchy n Scratchy on Feb 28, 2011 12:14 PM CST up reply actions

As long as we all are agreeing here...

I totally agree with you on the “we own Texas” trend. We usually play them with low expectations and generally play angry. I think this time around Texas will be the ones playing angry.

Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.

by mystman995 on Feb 28, 2011 1:11 PM CST up reply actions

We win tonight ...

And we should be into the top 25 again (assuming a win over ISU on Saturday as well), easily. And since the committee weighs RPI and SOS much more heavily than a pollster would, that would definitely put us into the argument for a 5-seed, depending on the Big12 tournament outcome.

I’ve posted before, I think a 6-seed is the sweet spot for an NCAA tournament draw for this team (win the 1st round game, play a 3-seed no better than us in round 2, play a 2-seed that we probably have a good shot at in the Sweet 16).

That said, if we end up with a 5-seed, it means we beat Texas … at least once. :-)

Here’s a really fantastical question … where does KSU end up by winning out and taking down a Big12 tourney title?

by Itchy n Scratchy on Feb 28, 2011 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

Winning out?

That would mean that we’d be 25-9, Big 12 Tournament Champs, and in line for a 3- or 4-seed. How effing cool would THAT be after the dumpster fire that was the first 2/3 of our season?!?

"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp

by K. Scott Bailey on Feb 28, 2011 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

Well, winning out assumes five wins, and probably at least three of them in the 'significant' range.

It would put this team at 9-1 in their last ten with one loss being at the buzzer.

If that’s the case, I think a three seed is where we’d end up. Once you get past the top five or six teams, the losses start piling up into the 5-8 range for most of these teams, and their SOS aren’t nearly as high. If we were to win out, our RPI would probably be in the low teens or single digits.

It’s nice to dream. However, I’m just praying for a six seed. I really, really, really want that badly.

Bring on the Cats
"Without getting into specifics, my exit involves a McFlurry machine and a video tape of risque commercials from overseas." -- Jack Donaghy

by Panjandrum on Feb 28, 2011 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

But, but, but

KSU was SUPPOSED to be a 1-seed, and they disappointed everyone! Therefore any potential seed in the tourney MUST be lowered by one spot!

"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp

by K. Scott Bailey on Feb 28, 2011 5:32 PM CST up reply actions

If we win out?

Then we’d end up with a National Championship banner to hang up in the rafters….

Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.

by mystman995 on Feb 28, 2011 1:07 PM CST up reply actions

Unfortunately....

…I will not be in Austin tonight, so the magic may be gone.

We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats

by TB on Feb 28, 2011 11:26 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Selfish.

by yeahboozin on Feb 28, 2011 11:30 AM CST up reply actions

Dammit, TB!

If you got on the road right now, you STILL might be able to get there just after tip!

"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp

by K. Scott Bailey on Feb 28, 2011 12:48 PM CST up reply actions

Hey

At least I’m still in Texas. Maybe that’s the key…

Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.

by mystman995 on Feb 28, 2011 1:07 PM CST up reply actions

I'll go

with this.

'Fact. Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.' --Jim Halpert

by VegasCat07 on Mar 1, 2011 9:15 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the bracket generator

Go ISU! I REALLY don’t want CU to end up 4th in the conference.

“"I don’t want to hear nothing about that, because I don’t want to jinx myself," Pullen said. "I don’t want to hear nothing about that. I don’t want to know how close I am, none of that stuff."

Kelly explained: "Usually when Jake has an accomplishment, the next game he’s flat-out horrible. That’s the reason he’s trying to stay away from that." " Ha ha ha ha.

I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom. - General George S. Patton

by Sean T on Feb 28, 2011 10:31 AM CST reply actions

The thought of CU beating us out for the 4-seed ...

Makes me feel gross.

by Itchy n Scratchy on Feb 28, 2011 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

Me too

Go Clones!

I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom. - General George S. Patton

by Sean T on Feb 28, 2011 12:36 PM CST up reply actions

The thought of them sweeping us makes ME feel gross...

Oh, wait, that actually happened. I’m still an angry, angry man about that.

"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp

by K. Scott Bailey on Feb 28, 2011 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

To answer your last question...

Long-time Track & Field coach Cliff Rovelto is one of the best high jump coaches in America (I believe he has coached for Team USA several times) and since the sport is more about individual than team performance, that’s plenty of reason for the top high school high jumpers to come to Kansas State. Full credit to the K-State athletic department for keeping Rovelto here in Manhattan when he surely could have gone to larger schools with more prestigious programs and made more money.

by Ahearn Alley on Feb 28, 2011 10:56 AM CST reply actions

Joe Lunardi has us as an 8 seed right now.

Playing Washington in the first round, with BYU as the likely second round matchup, with games in Denver.

by AMS on Feb 28, 2011 12:39 PM CST reply actions

I would take an 8-seed, if BYU was the 1-seed across from us.

They don’t scare me at all.

"Coaching a football team is the most engrossing thing in the world. It is playing chess with human pawns." --Walter Camp

by K. Scott Bailey on Feb 28, 2011 12:53 PM CST up reply actions

Yup

Especially since we know we can out-Jimmer Jimmer with our Jimmer in Jake. It’s been done before!

Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.

by mystman995 on Feb 28, 2011 1:08 PM CST up reply actions