K-State prime for a Win

[MUBigDance]

I'm sure they are good...AP#12....a scorer named D.Wade...they start 3 seniors and 2 juniors. that's solid.

They might be undefeated but their schedule to not impressive:
Kennesaw State   W56-41
Denver   W64-56
Eastern Kentucky   W95-68
Pennsylvania   W64-48
Missouri   W82-67
Lehigh   W77-58

Their bench didn't contribute much at Lehigh. Also, Lehigh is an average mid-major and KSU led by 2 at the half and was only up by 10 with 6min to go.

When we beat them we can enjoy a top-20 win. Top-10 win if you go by USAToday.

Anybody know anything else about these guys?

[BrewCity83]

Coached by Milwaukee native, Milwaukee Marshall HS and UWM alum Bruce Weber.

[MUEng92]

Coached by UWM alum Bruce Weber.

I hope the MU vs. UWM streak extends to any UWM student connection.  (Ex coaches of UWM don't count...)

[GooooMarquette]

I hope you mean K-State is prime for a loss, or I'm not gonna be so happy.

[fjm]

I do agree. We do match up well.

KS Starting lineup
6-9
6-8
6-5
6-3
6-0

MU:
6-9
6-9
6-8
6-5
5-11

The question is, who covers Wade? He's 6-8 and has been crushing it for them. Almost have to put Joey and Brendan on him.

[BM1090]

Can't shoot 3s. Bad offense. Good rebounding. Great defense

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Anybody know anything else about these guys?

https://painttouches.com/2018/10/23/preseason-preview-kansas-state/

Don't get too suckered in by the margin of victory in their cupcakes. They rely on their defense and play at a slower pace. They won't blow many people out but they will win a lot.

I do think that K-State has been a tad bit overrated by most. People look at them and see an Elite Eight team that returned everybody. I see a 9 seed that returned everybody. Don't get me wrong, they are still a top 20 team, but I don't think they are top 10 like some have projected.

[MarquetteDano]

https://painttouches.com/2018/10/23/preseason-preview-kansas-state/

Don't get too suckered in by the margin of victory in their cupcakes. They rely on their defense and play at a slower pace. They won't blow many people out but they will win a lot.

I do think that K-State has been a tad bit overrated by most. People look at them and see an Elite Eight team that returned everybody. I see a 9 seed that returned everybody. Don't get me wrong, they are still a top 20 team, but I don't think they are top 10 like some have projected.

Very winnable game.  Not guaranteeing anything but have to like our chances playing at home.  I would think we might even be favored by 2 points or so. At worst it will be a pick em?

[GB Warrior]

Glad we're playing them at home this year and on the road once they lose a lot of talent

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Very winnable game.  Not guaranteeing anything but have to like our chances playing at home.  I would think we might even be favored by 2 points or so. At worst it will be a pick em?

Doubtful. Bettors will assume a top 15 team will be able to handle a team not receiving any votes, even on the road. Vegas wants its money.

[brewcity77]

Doubtful. Bettors will assume a top 15 team will be able to handle a team not receiving any votes, even on the road. Vegas wants its money.

Pomeroy has us as a favorite. My guess is it'll be no more than 1.5 in either direction.

[GooooMarquette]

Pomeroy has us as a favorite. My guess is it'll be no more than 1.5 in either direction.

#crapshoot

[Marcus92]

Last season, K-State's defense was ranked #21 by KenPom. The Wildcats finished third-best nationally in steal percentage and top 25 in turnover percentage. And as mentioned, they're a very experienced team. Beyond that, not much stands out.

Should be a good matchup. If MU protects the ball and take good shots, I think we've got this. Just play smart. If we turn it over 4-5 times by the 10 minute mark, I'll be worried.

[Marcus92]

Also, this is Kansas State's first true road game, and their first against a KenPom Top 100 opponent. MU has already faced #23 Indiana and #2 Kansas (plus #51 Louisville). That could play to our advantage at this point in the season.

[Goose]

If MU is as good as many expected, this is a game they should win. I agree with TAMU analysis on KState. My only concern is our ability to score against their D. Have to take care of the ball and create some easy buckets.

[Galway Eagle]

Random Kstate question, was Weber seriously interested in the MU job a few years ago or was that just a rumor?

Not trying to open a box of "what if we'd hired Weber"

[Milkshakes]

Last season, K-State's defense was ranked #21 by KenPom. The Wildcats finished third-best nationally in steal percentage and top 25 in turnover percentage. And as mentioned, they're a very experienced team. Beyond that, not much stands out.

Should be a good matchup. If MU protects the ball and take good shots, I think we've got this. Just play smart. If we turn it over 4-5 times by the 10 minute mark, I'll be worried.

I want to be optimistic about this game but this really worries me. We have turned it over at a high rate against the cupcakes. A team with this ability to take the ball away could be very tough for us. I also worry that Marcus will be working so hard at the point and trying to protect the ball that he will be off/not in rhythm shooting.

[MarquetteDano]

I want to be optimistic about this game but this really worries me. We have turned it over at a high rate against the cupcakes. A team with this ability to take the ball away could be very tough for us. I also worry that Marcus will be working so hard at the point and trying to protect the ball that he will be off/not in rhythm shooting.

Funny how we all thought we would miss Rowsey for his scoring.  It is actually his ball handling we probably miss most.  Need to keep turnovers 15 or less in this game or we are in trouble.

[cheebs09]

Random Kstate question, was Weber seriously interested in the MU job a few years ago or was that just a rumor?

Not trying to open a box of "what if we'd hired Weber"

I think that he was interested, but he hadn't had a ton of success at KState. He still had the reputation of only having success with Self's players. I think his stock right now is much higher than it was when MU was searching for a coach.

[Loose Cannon]

I want to be optimistic about this game but this really worries me. We have turned it over at a high rate against the cupcakes. A team with this ability to take the ball away could be very tough for us. I also worry that Marcus will be working so hard at the point and trying to protect the ball that he will be off/not in rhythm shooting.

Maybe Joe C gets most of the minutes at the point.

[Galway Eagle]

I think that he was interested, but he hadn't had a ton of success at KState. He still had the reputation of only having success with Self's players. I think his stock right now is much higher than it was when MU was searching for a coach.

Didn't realise in 20yrs of coaching he's only had 4 runs 2 of which were with Self's players. I thought he had considerably more success than he has.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Random Kstate question, was Weber seriously interested in the MU job a few years ago or was that just a rumor?

Not trying to open a box of "what if we'd hired Weber"

I recall there being a current power conference head coach "expressing interest" in the role at the time, with Weber being the rumored coach - given his Milwaukee background/connections.  Other known candidates were Smart and Howland.  Wojo was a surprise selection, given that there weren't many reports of him being interested/interviewed during the process.

[skianth16]

I want to be optimistic about this game but this really worries me. We have turned it over at a high rate against the cupcakes. A team with this ability to take the ball away could be very tough for us. I also worry that Marcus will be working so hard at the point and trying to protect the ball that he will be off/not in rhythm shooting.

I'm also wondering if he'll be back to 100% after being sick this week. Hopefully he's able to kick the bug by today or tomorrow so he can come into Saturday's game at full strength.

And on the topic of turnovers - this needs to be stressed just as much as defense has. I like that Wojo mentioned that we need to cut down on the "home run" plays, but we need to be even more disciplined than that against KSU.

[T-Bone]

Reading the comments, they sound similar to South Carolina a couple years ago.  Agree, or am I just reading wrong?

[tower912]

I recall there being a current power conference head coach "expressing interest" in the role at the time, with Weber being the rumored coach - given his Milwaukee background/connections.  Other known candidates were Smart and Howland.  Wojo was a surprise selection, given that there weren't many reports of him being interested/interviewed during the process.

You're forgetting Cuonzo Martin.