23/21 Kansas State at West Virginia: Open Game Thread

Sometimes the lion gets the zebra, and sometimes the zebra kicks the lion in the teeth.

The Kansas State Wildcats played a good game, but it just wasn’t enough against the ridiculous barrage from deep that Iowa State conjured in their week of rest. It would have been hard for anyone to beat the Cyclones they way they were hitting deep three’s.

And for the still-sole-first-place Wildcats, they will need to put that behind them and move on to today’s challenge: beating a wounded West Virginia squad.

The last time these two teams met, both were win-less in conference play and seasons were teetering on the balance. The Wildcats needed an historic comeback that night to win; a win that effectively saved the season for the Cats. The momentum from that night carried into the next game, and then turned into a 9-game Big 12 win streak. For the ‘Eers, they dropped two more games before pulling of an improbable home win against Kansas.

And really, that’s the challenge for the Wildcats. WVU’s only two Big 12 wins have come in the friendly confines of WVU Coliseum, against Kansas and Oklahoma. For the Wildcats to avoid the fate of their little brothers to the east, they’ll need to keep playing their game, and get significant contributions from people not named Barry Brown. And that will be tough too, as Dean Wade is a game-time decision, and while listed as a “probable” starter, it’s far more likely that Wade doesn’t even play tonight unless things really go off the rails.

To keep their season on track, the Wildcats need to win this game; and preferably without Wade, so he can rest up and get healthy.

We’re on Big Monday, so tonight’s game is scheduled for a 8:05pm CST tip-off, and will be available on ESPN with Bob Wischusen (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 Sirius 108 / XM 200 / Internet 954 (might be the WVU broadcast). 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 (19-6, 9-3 Big 12)
G: #3 Kamau Stokes
G: #5 Barry Brown Jr.
G/F: #20 Xavier Sneed
F: #32 Dean Wade
F: #14 Makol Mawien

West Virginia Mountaineers (10-15, 2-10 Big 12)
G: #2 Brandon Knapper
G: #10 Jermaine Haley
F: #11 Emmitt Matthews Jr.
F: #15 Lamont West
F: #1 Derek Culver

Go Cats!