SLATE: Kansas State picked eighth in Big 12 basketball poll

I’m sure you’re all depressed about what’s likely to happen tomorrow, so we’ll ease you into links about that game by depressing you about something else entirely.

Basketball

The Big 12 pre-season coaches poll is out, and the Wildcats have been picked to finish eighth in the ten-team circuit. That’s probably not much of a surprise with the graduation of Wesley Iwundu and D.J. Johnson. What IS a surprise is the actual poll itself, which includes such mind-boggling things as TCU being picked to finish third and Iowa State ninth. What weird world is this, anyway? Kansas was, of course, a unanimous pick. (Yes, West Virginia got a first-place vote. From Bill Self, who isn’t allowed to vote for Kansas. It’s unanimous.)

At noon Saturday, before the football game across the sidewalk, Missouri State will visit Bramlage for a charity exhibition game against the Cats to benefit hurricane victims. Admission is whatever you’d like to donate, which means it’s technically free but, you know, please give generously. Bruce and Megan Weber will match up to $10,000 in donations, so we’d really like for you to make sure he donates $10,000.

This is a waivered exhibition, meaning the NCAA graciously granted student-athletes permission to band together to use their athletic ability to raise money for those in need, and if you think I’m trashing the NCAA with that sentence you’d be absolutely correct. The NCAA has no business even regulating voluntary charity activity by student-athletes.

Corbin McGuire also discussed the exhibition in yesterday’s Sports Extra.

In non-Wildcat basketball news, a sad passing to report. Justin Reed, the former Ole Miss Rebel, Boston Celtic, and Minnesota Timberwolf, died yesterday from angiosarcoma, a cancer of the blood vessels. Reed, as a freshman, led 2001 Ole Miss squad which made the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history.

As always, fuck cancer.

Football

Kellis Robinett breaks down tomorrow’s game against Oklahoma, and predicts a 35-17 loss for the good guys. He also reports on K-State’s attempts to get the offense to do something. Anything. Please.

Ken Corbitt discusses much the same thing, focusing on the running game, which was apparently kidnapped a month ago with no ransom demands having been delivered by the perpetrators.

In today’s Sports Extra, McGuire covers the same ground as well.

Soccer

The Cats (6-8-1, 1-5-0) are in Stillwater this afternoon at 3:00 for their first-ever meeting with the 24th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls, and yes they are the Cowgirls. Facing Oklahoma State (12-2-2, 5-1-0) on the road will be a big test for our battling eleven, so don’t expect a result. The game will air on OSU’s Facebook Live channel, while K-State’s audio broadcast will be on 101.5 KROCK and on kstatesports.com.

There’s a chance for a win this weekend, though, as they’ll head down I-35 for a Sunday match with Oklahoma (2-10-4, 0-3-3).

Volleyball

The Volleycats (9-11, 2-5) are also on the road, facing West Virginia (13-7, 2-5) at noon Saturday in Morgantown. Free stream on WVUSports.com, with audio on kstatesports.com.

Tennis

The Wildcat tennis team had a fantastic day one at the ITA Regionals in Lawrence, going a perfect 6-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles. Play continues today, with details at the link.

Golf

The women will get back on the links Sunday morning at Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San Antonio as they compete in the Maryb S. Kauth Invitational, hosted by UTSA. Major competition will come via Houston, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and defending champs Arkansas.