SLate: Davion Bradford set to announce his commitment

A big basketball recruit makes his decision this afternoon, some football notes, plus soccer and golf are in action.

By Luke Thompson Oct 11, 2019, 12:35pm CDT

Bowling Green v Kansas State — I could see this guy as a very motivational academic advisor.

Today’s SLate is coming to you on West Coast time as we draw closer to the end of this weird bye week that should even exist three weeks after the first one. But here we are, and we do have lots of news to share (two days’ worth, in fact) plus another post you might want to read later this afternoon.

BASKETBALL

As far as I’m concerned, the most important news we haven’t talked about here yet is the impending arrival of alcohol at Bramlage Coliseum. Beer and wine will be sold until the 15:00 mark of the second half for men’s games and the 5:00 mark of the third quarter at women’s games (Ryan Black, Manhattan Mercury). Please enjoy responsibly.

Davion Bradford will announce his commitment today at 5 p.m. CT (3 P.M. PT). The 7-foot center from St. Louis appears to have narrowed his choices down to K-State and Mizzou, has a good relationship with Chris Lowery and is friends with K-State commit Luke Kasubke, so Kellis Robinett (Wichita Eagle) thinks there’s a good chance Bradford will be wearing purple next season.

FOOTBALL

Devin Anctil’s greatness continues to be recognized by Chris Klieman (Robinett, KC Star) and it’s cool to see true freshmen Josh Youngblood and Joe Ervin making real impacts (Black, Manhattan Mercury). Unfortunately, Ervin may be needed more going forward with Jordon Brown expected to be out for a while (Black, Manhattan Mercury). Thankfully, James Gilbert is healthy and doing his thing not only on the football field, but also in the classroom, where he’s on track to obtain his master’s in academic advising after just one calendar year (Corbin McGuire, K-State Sports Extra).

Safeties Kendall Adams and Danzel McDaniel, linebacker Arthur Brown, defensive tackle Will Geary, fullback Winston Dimel and offensive guard Abdul Beechum are among those in the XFL draft pool so far.

VOLLEYBALL

The Volley Cats pushed No. 4 Texas to the limit in the first set (kstatesports.com) before falling 32-30, 25-17, 25-18 to fall to 1-3 in Big 12 play. They’ll try to bounce back in Ahearn against West Virginia on Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Big 12 coaches predicted Kansas State will finish fifth (kstatesports.com), the team’s highest preseason ranking since 2016-17. Peyton Williams is a preseason All-Big 12 selection and Rachel Ranke earned Honorable Mention.

SOCCER

Brookelynn Entz is coming off a big weekend (goal at Oklahoma, assist at Oklahoma State) and hopes to lead Kansas State (0-4, 2-9-2), to its first conference win (McGuire, K-State SE) tonight against Iowa State (0-3, 3-9), the Big 12’s only other winless team in league play. You can watch the game at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

MEN’S GOLF

Kansas State will face Oklahoma this afternoon in the second annual Big 12 Match Play tournament at Houston Oaks in Hockley, Tex.