Kansas State vs Oklahoma State: Open Game Thread

It’s crazy just how quickly things can change in college basketball.

Just this time last year, K-State was fighting hard to stay in first place in the Big 12. Now they’re going to try to avoid dropping to last place in the standings. It’s been downright ugly at times for the Wildcats this season, and it doesn’t look like Bruce Weber and company are on the verge of getting anything figured out before before the season ends in March at the Big 12 Tournament (probably in the first round, too).

But hope springs eternal in Wildcatland. That’s why we kept fielding a football team for the nearly 60 years between K-State’s first conference championship and the arrival of Bill Snyder. That’s why K-State fans thought that Tom Asbury and Jim Woolridge were going to return the men’s basketball team to greatness. It’s who we are.

But after yet another lackluster showing in 2020, this time in Ames against one of the other “worst” teams in the Big 12, Wildcats fan patience is wearing thin. Not in a “fire everyone burn it to the ground” type of way, but rather a less reactionary checked-out sort of way. Most fans have, rightfully so, given up on this team this season and are already looking ahead to next season when a star-studded group arrives on campus to turn this ship around (presumably — no pressure, guys).

But if things are going to get turned around this season, then tonight is essentially a must-win game. The Cowboys are worst in the league in almost every respect, including shooting the ball (bet you didn’t think another team at this level could be as bad (or worse!) at shooting as the Wildcats...) and giving up shots. This is a game the Wildcats should win, struggles or not. But games aren’t won on paper.

We’ve got the later start tonight with an 8:05pm CST tip that can be seen on ESPNU with Rich Hollenberg (play-by-play) and Bryndon Manzer (analyst) on the call. You might be able to stream the game via WatchESPN if you are in the correct market.

If you don’t get ESPNU, or can’t access the stream (like last week...), you can listen to Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play) and Stan Weber (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, and satellite radio on XM 375.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

Kansas State Wildcats (9-14)

G: #2 Cartier Diarra
G: #3 DaJuan Gordon
G/F: #20 Xavier Sneed
F: #23 Montavious Murphy
F: #14 Makol Mawien

Oklahoma State Cowboys (11-12)

G: #13 Isaac Likekele
G: #1 Jonathan Laurent
G/F: #20 Keylan Boone
F: #12 Cameron McGriff
F: #14 Yor Anei

Go Cats!