23/21 Kansas State vs Oklahoma State: Open Game Thread

Sometimes you just have to win ugly. That’s what the Kansas State Wildcats did last time out, picking up an important road victory in Morgantown over the WVU Mountaineers in the process. That 65-51 victory was not as nice as the final score would indicate, and the Wildcats fought through foul trouble and a bunch of missed dunks to make a late run, led by Barry Brown’s incredible command of the mid-range jumper, to seal the victory.

And then sometimes you win pretty. Which is what happened the last time the Wildcats faced the Cowboys. The 75-57 victory in Stillwater was one of the few true blowouts for this team this year, and the final score is friendlier to the Cowboys than the actual game was. With a little over 5 minutes left in the game the Cats led 72-38 prompting Bruce Weber to pull the last of his starters, and the bench finished the game for K-State (including a 3-pt make by walk-on Pierson McAtee for the final margin).

All things considered, this should hopefully be another easy game for the Wildcats. Oklahoma State is short-handed, and the Wildcats have had the Cowboys’ number in recent years. Getting a big lead and resting the starters would be great headed into the short turnaround for Monday’s big game. But just like a couple weeks the Cats will have to avoid looking ahead to that game with the Jayhawks and take care of business today. Just win today, and worry about Monday tomorrow.

We’ve got a mid-afternoon tip-off from Bramlage Coliseum today, with the game scheduled for a 3:05pm CST tip. The game will be available on ESPN with Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play) and Bryndon Manzer (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 136 / 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 (20-6, 10-3 Big 12)
G: #3 Kamau Stokes
G: #5 Barry Brown Jr.
G/F: #20 Xavier Sneed
F: #32 Dean Wade
F: #14 Makol Mawien

Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-16, 3-10 Big 12)
G: #4 Thomas Dziagwa
G: #13 Isaac Likekele
G: #21 Lindy Waters III
F: #12 Cameron McGriff
F: #14 Yor Anei

Go Cats!