RV/RV Kansas State at Texas A&M: Open Game Thread

Even on paper before this season, this looked like an odd match-up. K-State was coming off at Elite Eight run and ranked in the Top 15 in presesaon polls, and while Texas A&M was coming off their own Sweet 16 run, they had just lost four three players off that team to the professional ranks, including star forward Robert Williams.

A better match-up for preseason rankings might have been Auburn, slotted with the Cats in the preseason. Or perhaps Mississippi State, or even (and thank goodness this didn’t happen) Tennessee. The SEC and Big 12 could have had another ranked match-up this weekend, and instead K-State, sitting at 15-4 (5-2) and tied for first in the Big 12, will face off with Texas A&M, who is just 7-10 on the season, and sitting in a tie for 12th in the SEC at 1-5.

The biggest key for today’s game is for the Wildcats to not overlook the Aggies. While extremely vulnerable, this is the kind of trap game that has foiled teams with high aspirations. The Cats just need to come out and put down A&M early, and make this a short game headed into a bye week. The Cats need some rest right now, to make sure everyone is fully healthy before the start of the second-half of conference play.

Today’s Big 12/SEC Challenge game, in the 6th year of the cross-conference match-ups, is scheduled for a 1:05pm CST tip-off, and will be available on ESPN with Jon Sciambi (play-by-play) and Fran Fraschilla (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 XM 135 / XM 199 / Internet 953. 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 (15-4, 5-2 Big 12)
G: #3 Kamau Stokes
G: #5 Barry Brown Jr.
G/F: #20 Xavier Sneed
F: #32 Dean Wade
F: #14 Makol Mawien

Texas A&M Aggies (7-10, 1-5 SEC)
G: #0 Jay Jay Chandler
G: #2 T.J. Starks
G: #11 Wendell Mitchell
F: #1 Savion Flagg
F: #21 Christian Mekowulu

Go Cats!