SLATE: Oklahoma what? It’s basketball season

Time flies when you’re having fun, apparently, because it seems that there is Kansas State basketball on the horizon. Like, looming. As in tonight.

The Wildcats will engage in the annual ritual of playing a basketball game for which they’ll get zero credit even in the record books, but could potentially taint the entire season. Tonight at Bramlage, the Emporia State Hornets buzz into town for the first of two preseason exhibition games against Division II competition.

The Cats are probably going to win with no problem, but these games are always a little worrisome. Even though they’re just “exhibitions”, if you happen to let one slip away folks will remember it in March. And while the tournament committee won’t take that loss into account, the perception caused by losing still hovers menacingly.

But we won’t worry about that for now. Check back later today for your How to Watch, and get ready for the comforting squeak of soles and your first look at what life is like after losing two players to the NBA in over a decade. Meanwhile, you can check out Ryan Black’s preview at the Mercury.

In yesterday’s Sports Extra, David Sloan was the subject of Corbin McGuire’s musings.

On the other side of Bramlage, Peyton Williams was named — for the second straight year — to the preseason watch list for the Katrina McClain Award, which goes to the nation’s best power forward. And, man, if you click that link you’re going to realize just how phenomenal Williams really has been for Jeff Mittie’s squad over the last three years.

Football

Well, I guess we have to talk about it, huh? Okay.

At the Eagle, Kellis Robinett has some words from mouths, including Wyatt Hubert reminding us all that Illinois did in fact beat Wisconsin last week so maybe K-State can do the same to Oklahoma tomorrow.

Ryan Black has some thoughts from Chris Klieman regarding how awesome Oklahoma‘s offense is, just in case that last link got you excited.

Quotes from the coordinators courtesy of the athletic department.

Today’s Sports Extra features offensive lineman Evan Curl, who has started all six games for the Wildcats.

The Oklahoman’s Ryan Aber reports that tight end Grant Calcaterra will be out tomorrow for the Sooners, which is a very, very small break for the Cats. Calcaterra hasn’t played for a few weeks anyway, so I think they’ll survive his absence.

Soccer

The last week has been brutal for the Cats, who have now given up seven goals without finding the back of the old onion bag themselves since beating Iowa State on October 11. Last night, it was TCU which did the dirty, blanking K-State 4-0 in Fort Worth. Sunday will mark the young program’s home finale, including Senior Day farewells to what’s left of Mike Dibbini’s first full recruiting class: Grace Brennan, Katie Cramer, Laramie Hall, Emma Malsy, Aly Rocha, and Ashley Zane. The opponent will be West Virginia (8-6-2, 3-3-1), the time will be 1:00, and the network will be ESPN+, for which you can still subscribe here.

Baseball

After the football game tomorrow, slide on over to Tointon. The BatCats will be hosting the ALS Awareness Halloween game 30 minutes after the football game’s conclusion. Little-known fact: it was Pete Frates, who played for coach Pete Hughes at Boston College, whose ALS diagnosis spurred the Ice Bucket Challenge that made the rounds a few years back. Attendance is free, and costumes are encouraged.

There will be baseball Sunday as well, as the Cats will host Oral Roberts in a free 4:00pm exhibition.

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