Kansas State vs Washburn: Exhibition Open Game Thread

The first tune-up game went just about as well as could be expected. Sure, there were errors, there was some sloppiness, and there were for-sure a lot of things that Bruce Weber could use in practices earlier this week to sharpen these guys up for the season. That is the point of these games, after all.

The visiting Ichabods shouldn’t put up much more of a challenge than the Hornets did last Friday, but at least it’s not practicing against yourself, like I’m sure these guys are tired of. Of course, that’s not to say that Washburn won’t be dangerous, certainly MIAA schools have come into Bramlage Coliseum (or Allen Fieldhouse or Koch Arena) and looked like world-beaters for a night. Some have even pulled upsets.

But these aren't necessarily the ‘Bods of yore. Longtime venerated head coach, and K-State grad, Bob Chipman retired a couple years back, and the brass in Topeka turned to the state’s younger Big 12 university to supply it’s next coach. Brett Ballard (a 2003 KU grad) has been good in his first two seasons at Washburn, leading the ‘Bods to an overall 46-18 record headed into his third season in Topeka. The Ichabods even return nine letterman, including two starters, from a teach that reached the NCAA Division II Tournament last season, and were picked third in both preseason MIAA polls (well above the 10th-place Hornets the Wildcats faced on Friday.

Tonight’s game should present more of a challenge than Friday’s, but it should still go the Wildcats’ way. At least, that’s the expectation.

Exact same set-up as the first game for tonight’s game, which is slated for an 7:02pm CDT tip-off. The game can be see on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Ben Boyle (play-by-play), Stan Weber (analyst), and Bridget Howard (sidelines) on the call. If you haven’t signed up for ESPN+ yet, you can listen to Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play) and Matt Walters (analyst) call the game on much of the K-State Sports Radio Network, and also available online via the TuneIn App and at K-StateSports.com.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

Kansas State Wildcats

G: #00 Mike McGuirl
G: #2 Cartier Diarra
G/F: #20 Xavier Sneed
F: #34 Levi Stockard III
F: #14 Makol Mawien

Washburn Ichabods

G: #5 Drew Maschoff
G: #12 Tyler Geiman
G: #20 Jalen Lewis
G: #32 Kevin Biggs
F: #42 Jonny Clausing

Go Cats!