K-State takes on Oklahoma

Yesterday, we had an extended discussion on Kansas State academics and the possible impact on realignment, thanks to the school's recent upgrade to Carnegie I status.

In much more relevant news, JT told us 6'4" guard Cartier Diarra (he of the most EMAW names) has committed to K-State. Thanks to Gracey, you can now watch Diarra dunk.

Also, if you're looking for a way to get more K-State in your life, you can always customize your kicks.

Kansas State hosts #1 Oklahoma at Bramlage Coliseum today. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 PM CST, and TB has you covered with the official BotC preview: K-State vs. No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners.

The Wildcats will be without the services of Kamau Stokes, and commenting on the injury, Bruce Weber said he couldn't remember ever being down three scholarship players at the same time. Still, he's not making excuses and hopes others will step up to the plate, including Justin Edwards. The senior started the season well, but has struggled since, his production slipping to an average of 11.5 points (Kellis Robinett, Kansas City Star).

This game against Oklahoma is the first Big 12 game in the second half of the season, and with five of their next nine at home, the Wildcats are hoping to post some wins. The team is 13-9 on the season but has yet to post a big win over a marquee program since conference play began. That may speak more to the strength of the Big 12 than the weakness of Kansas State (Ken Corbitt, Topeka Capital-Journal).

For their part, the Sooners know better than to take Kansas State lightly. Sports memories are short, but the Wildcats upset Oklahoma last year when the Sooners came to town riding a five-game conference winning streak, and nobody on the current team has won a game in Manhattan. The Sooners think Kansas State has it out for them, and maybe we do (Guerin Emig, Tulsa World).

Lon Kruger's jersey hangs from the rafters at Kansas State, but that's not the reason he keeps talking to the team about the Wildcats. The Sooners are still haunted by two losses to the Wildcats last year that deprived Oklahoma of at least a share of the Big 12 title. Kruger wants them to remember how tough it is to get a win in Manhattan (John Shinn, Norman Transcript).

Kansas State is in Morgantown today to take on West Virginia at the WVU Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 PM, and the game is being radio-broadcast on the K-State Sports Network.

Nevertheless, both Breanna Lewis and Kindred Wesemann are consistently scoring in the double digits, with Lewis averaging over 16 points a game and Wesemann managing almost 13. Plus, Kansas State remains a good outside shooting squad, and at least five players have made 10 or more shots from beyond the arc this season.