Kansas State at #2/3 Baylor: Open Game Thread

The last three games have not gone well for the Wildcats. From going down big early to giving up late leads, the Cats have made the last three games, all winnable affairs, into ugly and puzzling losses. Injuries have played a part, as have lack of focus and execution. But whatever the reason, these Wildcats just do not look good right now. And going in to the toughest three-game stretch on the second half of the schedule, that makes things very worrisome.

The Cats dropped the January contest to Baylor 77-68, marking the first loss in Bramlage on the season. The Bears were coming off their first loss of the season, a road game at West Virginia, and will be in the same position today as they come off only their second loss of the season, a road game at Kansas. Baylor is led by junior forward Johnathan Motley, who is averaging a near-double-double with 16.2 pgg and 9.6 rpg.

K-State was led against TCU by Kamau Stokes’ 21 points (all from behind the arc), but he was followed closely by Xavier Sneed’s 19. And while K-State is still getting at least four players in double-figures a game over the last several, there has been one big hole in the stat sheet. Dean Wade has combined for 7 points and 8 fouls during the three-game losing streak, looking sluggish and unfocused while fighting through an injury. Wade and Wesley Iwundu did not have good games against Baylor the last time out, and the Cats will need much stronger performances from them to have a chance in Waco.

Be sure and check out Greg Wood’s game preview for a full rundown of today’s contest.

The game, slated for an 2:00pm CT tip, will be broadcast on ESPNNews, with Dave Armstrong (play-by-play) and Bryndon Manzer (analyst) on the call, and streaming may be available to you (depending on your location and provider/package) at WatchESPN.com. Audio, as always, is available on the K-State Sports Network (Sirius 136/XM 199) and streaming online at K-StateSports.com.

The Wildcat women (17-6, 6-4 Big 12) are also in action tonight, facing #12/13 Texas in Austin at 5:00pm CT. Tonight’s game will be broadcast on the Longhorn Network, with Alex Loeb (play-by-play) and Fran Harris (analyst) on the call. The Cats are coming off a big victory over Texas Tech in the first half of their two-game Texas road trip. The MittieCats were led by a big effort from the interior, as Breanna Lewis and Peyton Williams combined for 31 points and 16 rebounds. Texas started the season 6-4, but have rattled off 11-straight wins in Big 12 play to remain undefeated in the conference (of course, UT has yet to play Baylor this season). Audio will be available on select parts the K-State Sports Network with full streaming available online at K-StateSports.com.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

Kansas State
G: #3 Kamau Stokes
G: #5 Barry Brown
G: #25 Wesley Iwundu
F: #32 Dean Wade
F: #4 D.J. Johnson

Baylor
G: #20 Manu Lecomte
G: #24 Ishmail Wainright
G: #25 Al Freeman
F: #5 Johnathan Motley
F: #0 Jo Lual-Acuil, Jr.