Slate: Basketball Highlights the Early Week

With the rest of fall sports pretty well wrapped up, we dial our focus in on the Big Two.

Women’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball gets the lead this morning after Monday night’s systematic thrashing of Nebraska-Omaha, by a score of 81-60. Because Cymone Goodrich was out with a shoulder injury, Freshman guard Rachel Ranke got to start. (Shane Jackson, the Mercury) She took full advantage, dropping in a team-leading 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting (6-of-12 from 3-point range). Point guard Kayla Goth contributed 16 points and 9 assists. Shaelyn Martin added 12 points, and freshman post player Ashley Ray contributed nine for the Wildcats. (Capital-Journal)

Kstatesports.com provides the most comprehensive coverage, including post-game quotes.

Football

On the Big 12 Coaches’ Teleconference, Coach Snyder characterized Skylar Thompson’s first start as a “great experience” for him. (Kellis Robinett, Wichita Eagle) He also said that bowl eligibility should not be the team’s focus heading into the last two games. Rather, they should focus on the immediate task at hand. (Ken Corbitt, Capital-Journal)

Stepping away from the usual sources, OColly.com reported on Coach Gundy’s praise of Bill Snyder in the weekly teleconference. (Luke Garza, OColly.com) Gundy also discussed his focus on the importance of players’ lives after football.

It was another quiet week for Jordy Nelson, Tyler Lockett and the rest of the K-State alumni in the NFL (kstatesports.com)

Men’s Basketball

Kellis Robinett previewed tonight’s match-up against UMKC. (Kellis Robinett, Wichita Eagle) KenPom ranks UMKC at No. 311 nationally. American was No. 286. If the teams play to form, this should not be a contest.

Coach Weber says he has used the Golden State Warriors as an example to improve the Wildcats’ focus on ball movement. (Ken Corbitt, Capital-Journal) The first game saw K-State have 22 assists on 29 field goals, so early returns suggest the team is receptive to the message.

K-State Sports Extra’s Corbin McGuire reported on the men’s basketball alumni, 50 of whom were at Friday’s game for their annual reunion. Several of them commented on their view of this year’s squad and its prospects. (Corbin McGuire, kstatesports.com)