RV/RV Kansas State vs Texas: Open Game Thread

Well Wildcat fans, last Saturday's game against George Mason was supposed to be a confidence booster — a game that the Cats should have put up 70+ points regardless of the lineup. And yet, the Wildcats turned an easy-win game into a heart-attack-inducing last-second-steal-needing game that created just as much unease as it was supposed to clear.

These Wildcats are an enigma. But the team they’ll be facing in Bramlage tonight may be even more so one.

The Longhorns enter tonight’s Big 12 opener sitting at 8-4 on the season, and kicked of the season on a 5-0 run that included a very impressive 92-89 win over the North Carolina Tarheels in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational, but the Horns have gone just 3-4 since, including a 3-game losing streak that saw home losses to Radford and VCU, and a loss to Michigan State at the LVI. However, to be fair to the Longhorns, MSU is RPI #9, VCU is #31, and Radford is #55 — not exactly the easiest bunch. But they have also dropped a home game to Providence just two games ago, and beat an RPI #21 Purdue. Just like the Cats, all over the place.

Regardless, the Wildcats will need a complete 40 minutes of good basketball to win this game. Defense will need to be excellent all game, and the offense will need to limit turnovers, and preferably also start hitting some shots. Like so many games, K-State should win this game. But these Wildcats need to start playing like they have to win these games.

Tonight’s game, scheduled for an 8:05pm CST tip, will be available on ESPNU with Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play) and Robbie Hummel (analyst) on the call. You should also be able to access the game on WatchESPN.com/ESPN3.

You will also be able to listen to live audio across much of the K-State Sports Network with with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play) and Stan Weber (analyst) calling the action. The game will also be available streaming for free online via the TuneIn app/TuneIn.com and at www.kstatesports.com/watch. Satellite coverage is also available at Sirius 81 / XM 81 / Internet 81. Live stats are available at k-statesports.com, and Twitter updates (@KStateMBB) will also be a part of the coverage from K-State Athletics.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

Kansas State Wildcats (10-2)
G: #2 Cartier Diarra
G: #3 Kamau Stokes
G: #5 Barry Brown Jr.
G/F: #20 Xavier Sneed
F: #14 Makol Mawien

Texas Longhorns (8-4)
G: #12 Kerwin Roach II
G: #2 Matt Coleman III
G: #55 Elijah Mitrou-Long
F: #21 Dylan Osetkowski
F: #10 Jaxson Hayes

Go Cats!