Kansas State's Marcus Foster getting what he wanted

Well, Marcus Foster, tell us how it feels. After all, this is what you wanted, right? For each game, for this season, for this Kansas State Wildcats program to all be about you?

Actually, save your words. Your actions have said enough.

This is what you envisioned, huh Marcus? Three-point barrages in Maui... and benchings in Big 12 play. Game-winning bombs sucking the life out of the Oklahoma Sooners ... and now sulking somewhere after getting suspended, this time officially, for a violation of team rules. But hey, you were the topic of conversation, so that's worth something, right?

It gets a little harder each time, Marcus, to get those camera shots of your sour face and blatant "me-first" mood swings out of my mind when the latest, now common, bad news breaks. What you don't seem to understand is that all of those NBA scouts you think are drooling over your game? They see you, too. They see a great shooter who has a history of pouting when he doesn't get his points; a player who hasn't improved much defensively; and, a player who prioritizes his personal ebbs and flows on the floor ahead of his teammates.

You've been good, Marcus, but you aren't good enough to behave like this.

Still, because you forced your way to the front of the line with your bravado and at times brilliant play, a lot of guys on your team look up to you. You've repeatedly repaid that respect by disrespecting them; by being directly responsible for aiding in those same guys' season's frustrations and failures. They needed you on the floor, and you've done what you've done.

This is on you, my man.

That's the real-life truth and hassle of being what you claim you are, Marcus. A leader has to accept responsibility when you choose to drive the bus and then choose to veer it off a cliff. I doubt those voices -- those who claim to have your best interests in mind -- have ever told you such a thing. They will keep telling you to keep being you; that your coaches are holding you back; that it's the system.

They won't tell you that your attitude is the problem; that those coaches gave you your opportunity; that this is the same system that allowed your talent to shine; that you, in fact, need the K-State program more than it needs you. You need it more than ever, and while we're here, you and I know the coaches aren't the problem here, don't we?

An exasperated fan base wants to move on from this, Marcus. There is no postseason to look forward to because this year stopped being about wins and losses six weeks ago -- when it became clear your and some other guys' heads weren't right. Others have appeared to adjust at least a little, while here you are. Again. And, people have quickly grown tired of it.

Here's hoping, Marcus, you didn't spend your Wednesday night calling or texting your enablers while watching your teammates fight and come up short. Here's hoping you realize your enablers are a major reason why you had to watch the game instead of playing in it like you should have been. Here's hoping you realize that you were the one that chose to listen to that noise and let it poison your game.

Here's hoping your career hasn't become the should-have-been waste that Wednesday was and this season is.

And, here's hoping you understand you are the only one who controls that.