Jan 18, 2022

K-State MBB Hits the Road to Play 23/22 Texas Tuesday

Posted Jan 18, 2022 4:43 AM

AUSTIN, Tex—K-STATE HITS THE ROAD TO PLAY 23/22 TEXAS TUESDAY

  1. Kansas State (9-7, 1-4 Big 12) continues Big 12 play on Tuesday, as the Wildcats travel to Austin, Texas to take on No. 23/22 Texas (13-4, 3-2 Big 12) at 7:30 p.m., CT on the Longhorn Network. It will mark the second time in 5 games that the two teams have faced off with the Longhorns earning a 70-57 victory in Manhattan on Jan. 4.
  2. With a full roster for the first time this season, K-State earned its first Big 12 win of the season in impressive fashion on Saturday morning in a 62-51 victory over No. 19/19 Texas Tech. In the process, the Wildcats snapped a 12-game losing streak in the month of January (first win since Jan. 29, 2020) and a 5-game skid against Top 25 opponents. 
  3. Tuesday's matchup continues a gauntlet of 4 consecutive games against Top 25 opponents (vs. 19/19 Texas Tech, at 23/22 Texas, 7/7 Kansas and at 5/6 Baylor) to finish off the first half of Big 12 play.


OPENING TIP

  1. K-State was able to finally close out a tight game on Saturday morning, as the Wildcats earned their first Big 12 victory over perhaps the hottest team in the country with a 62-51 win over No. 19/19 Texas Tech, which had knocked off a pair of top-10 opponent in No. 6/7 Kansas and top-ranked Baylor during its 3-game winning streak. Fifth-year senior Mark Smith's corner 3-pointer with 3:28 left sparked a 12-2 run by the Wildcats to end the game after the Red Raiders had closed to within 50-49 with 4:50 to play.
  2. It was reversal of recent fortunes for K-State, which had led or been tied in the second half in each of its first 4 Big 12 losses, including a heartbreaking 60-57 loss to TCU at home on Jan. 12. Six of the 7 losses have come by a total of 25 points, including 8 points to No. 13/12 Arkansas (64-72), No. 14/15 Illinois (64-72), 1 point to Marquette (63-64), 2 points to Oklahoma (69-71) and 3 points to West Virginia (68-71) and TCU. The team is 0-5 when allowing 70 or more points.
  3. The Wildcats held the Red Raiders to one of their worst offensive performances of the season, allowing their second-fewest points (51) of the season on 39.6 percent (19-of-48) shooting, including 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range, while forcing 18 turnovers. It marked the 100th win under head coach Bruce Weber when holding an opponent below 60 points, improving to 100-10 (.909) in his tenure, including perfect 7-0 this season.
  4. The win against No. 19/19 Texas Tech marked the first time this season that all 10 healthy scholarship players were available this season, as senior Mike McGuirl returned to the lineup after missing the previous 2 games due to health and safety protocols. The Wildcats played short-handed in losses to No. 14/16 Texas (8 players) and West Virginia (9 players) and without coach Bruce Weber, before nearly everyone except McGuirl returned vs. TCU.
  5. The Wildcat offense, which managed just 26 points in the first half on 35.7 percent (10-of-28) shooting, got into a rhythm in the second half against the Red Raiders, scoring 36 after halftime on 50 percent (14-of-28) shooting. Sophomore Nijel Pack, who has led the team in scoring in 9 of 14 games played this season, was among 3 players in double figures with 14 points and a team-high 7 boards, while Smith and McGuirl added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
  6. Although he didn't reach double-digit points, junior Markquis Nowell was key in the victory, posting game-highs in both assists (9) and steals (5), while adding 7 points and 4 rebounds. The Big 12 leader in steals who also ranks seventh nationally at 2.6 per game, he ranks second in the Big 12 and 24th nationally in assists (5.5 apg.), while he is 11th in the league in scoring (12.6 ppg.).
  7. The 3 transfers (Ish Massoud, Nowell and Smith) have played a major role in the Wildcats' improved play this season. The trio have been responsible for 43 percent (473) of the team's scoring and 42 percent (422) of its rebounding. They are averaging 29.6 points, 15.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 4.4 steals per game.
  8. K-State ranks among the top-30 in 3 defensive categories, including 24th in scoring defense (61.1), 28th in field goal percentage defense (39.2) and sixth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (26.5).


NOTES ON 23/22 TEXAS

  1. No. 23/22 Texas (13-4, 3-2 Big 12) enters Tuesday's game with losses in 2 of its last 3 games after dropping a 79-70 at No. 15/16 Iowa State on Saturday. The Longhorns had won 6 straight after knocking off K-State, 70-57, on Jan. 4 before losing 64-51 at Oklahoma State on Jan. 8. They rebounded for a 66-52 win over Oklahoma at home on Jan. 11 before the loss at Iowa State.
  2. Texas is a perfect 11-0 this season at home, including wins over West Virginia (74-59) and Oklahoma (66-52) to open Big 12 play. The team has won their 11 home games by an average margin of 22.0 points per game.
  3. The Longhorns are averaging 70.4 points per game on 46.4 percent shooting, including 33.2 percent from 3-point range, while allowing opponents to average 54.5 points on 40.2 percent shooting, including 31.5 percent from long range. The team ranks among the top-30 nationally in 7 categories, including second in scoring defense, 10th in turnover margin (+5.5), 11th in scoring margin (+15.8), 18th in total steals (153) and 23rd in turnovers forced (16.71).
  4. Texas has 6 players averaging better than 7 points per game, including a trio averaging in double digits led by senior transfers Timmy Allen (11.5 ppg.) and Marcus Carr (10.0 ppg.) as well as senior Andrew Jones (10.9 ppg.). Allen is connecting on 52.5 percent from the field and leads the team in rebounding (6.4 rpg.) and is second in assists (2.4 apg.) and steals (1.3 spg.). Jones is second in scoring on 42.8 percent shooting, while he leads in both 3-pointers (26) and steals (25). Carr is third in scoring on 39.1 percent shooting, while he has a team-leading 61 assists. Fellow senior Courtney Ramey (9.3 ppg.) and transfer Tre Mitchell (9.1 ppg.) are averaging more than 9 points per game to give the Longhorns one of the most balanced teams in the country.
  5. Texas is led by first-year coach Chris Beard, who is in his 13th season as a head coach with stints at McMurry (2012-13), Angelo State (2013-15), Little Rock (2015-16) and Texas Tech (2016-21). He has won 296 games, including 112 at Texas Tech, where he led the Red Raiders to 3 consecutive NCAA Tournament and a trip to national championship game in 2019.


SERIES HISTORY

  1. K-State and Texas will meet for the 44th time in their histories with the Wildcats holding a narrow 22-21 advantage in a series that dates to 1971. Texas has a 21-17 lead since the start of Big 12 play, including an 11-7 mark at home. The Longhorns have an 11-9 edge overall in matchups in Austin.
  2. Texas has won 5 straight in the series, sweeping the season series in both 2020 and 2021 and the first meeting on Jan. 4, 2022. It is the longest winning streak by the Longhorns in the series and equals the longest by the Wildcats, which won the first 5 meetings from 1971-84. Last season, the Longhorns posted an 82-67 win at home on Jan. 16 before holding off a Wildcat rally for an 80-77 victory in Manhattan on Feb. 9. The last K-State win came in a 71-64 victory at the Erwin Center on Feb. 12, 2019.
  3. In the latest meeting on Jan. 4, a short-handed K-State had a valiant effort against No. 14/16 Texas before the Longhorns used a big 18-2 run to start the second half en route to a 70-57 victory.  Down to 8 players, including 7 on scholarship, the Wildcats scored the game's first 7 points en route to a 35-29 lead at the half on the strength of 50 percent shooting before the nation's top-ranked defense held them to just 22 points on 22. 2 percent shooting in the second half.  Sophomore Nijel Pack led the team with his fourth career 20-point game.
  4. Head coach Bruce Weber is 9-12 all-time against Texas, including a 4-5 mark on the road, while he is 2-9 against head coach Chris Beard. Beard is 9-2 against K-State, including a perfect 5-0 mark in home games.


LAST TIME OUT:
K-STATE 62, 19/19 TEXAS TECH 51

  1. Fifth-year senior Mark Smith's corner 3-pointer with 3:28 remaining sparked a 12-2 run by Kansas State to end the game, as the Wildcats earned their first Big 12 victory of the season in impressive fashion over No. 19/19 Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon before 5,971 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
  2. The victory not only gave the Wildcats their first win in conference play after 4 narrow defeats, it also snapped a 12-game losing streak in January and a 5-game skid against Top 25 opponents. The team's last win in the month came in a 61-53 victory over Oklahoma on Jan. 29, 2020, while it was the first against a ranked opponent since a 62-57 win over No. 7 Oklahoma on Feb. 23, 2021.
  3. K-State forced Texas Tech, one of the nation's hottest teams with back-to-back Top 10 wins over No. 6/7 Kansas and top-ranked Baylor, into one of its worst offensive performances of the season. The Wildcats held the Red Raiders to their second-fewest points of the season and 24 points under their scoring average on 39.6 percent (19-of-48) shooting, including 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range. They were also forced into 18 turnovers.
  4. It marked the 100th win under head coach Bruce Weber when holding an opponent below 60 points, improving to 100-10 (.909) in his tenure.
  5. The Wildcat offense, which managed just 26 points in the first half on 35.7 percent (10-of-28) shooting, got into a rhythm in the second half, scoring 36 after the halftime break on 50 percent (14-of-28) shooting. For the game, the team connected on 42.9 percent (24-of-56), including 34.6 percent (9-of-26) from 3-point range. The team got 21 points from its bench.
  6. Sophomore Nijel Pack led 3 Wildcats in double figures with 14 points on 5-of-14 field goals, including a pair of 3-pointers, to go with a team-high 7 rebounds, while Smith and Mike McGuirl added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
  7. Although held in check offensively, junior Markquis Nowell found other ways to star for the Wildcats, posting game-high in both assists (9) and steals (5), while adding 7 points and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes.
  8. It was the 400th victory at Bramlage Coliseum, including the 41st vs. a Top 25 opponent. The Wildcats are now 400-140 (.740) all-time in the arena, which opened prior to the 1988-89 season.


LEADING WITH DEFENSE

  1. K-State has developed a strong reputation as defensive team under head coach Bruce Weber, ranking among the top-60 nationally in opponent points per game 6 times in the 9 seasons. The Wildcats ranked fourth in scoring defense (59.6 ppg.) during its Big 12 Championship season in 2018-19, while they placed 36th (60.4 ppg.) in 2012-13 and 46th (67.0 ppg.) in 2017-18.
  2. K-State has held 219 opponents (out of 316 total) under 70 points during Bruce Weber's tenure, including a program-best 31 in 2012-13. The Wildcats have also held 110 opponents under 60 points in that span, while 29 have scored less than 50 points in his tenure.
  3. In addition to its scoring defense, K-State has ranked among the top-40 in opponent 3-point field goal percentage 3 times (2013-14, 2015-16 and 2018-19) and among the top-50 in steals on 5 occasions (every season from 2015-16 to 2019-20) in the Bruce Weber era. Twice (2016-17 and 2019-20) the school has ranked the top-45 in opponent turnovers.
  4. K-State struggled mightily across the board during the 2020-21 season, but no more than on defensive end, allowing 80 or more points 7 times in the first 21 games, including allowing 100 or more points in both regular-season games with eventual national champion Baylor.
  5. The Wildcats were able to win 4 of their last 7 games due to their improved defense, as they held 5 of those 7 opponents under 60 points. During the last 7 games of the season, the team held their foes to 59.3 points on 40.6 percent shooting (146-360), including 26.1 percent (36-of-138) from 3-point range.
  6. K-State has started the season off where they left off at the end of the 2020-21 season, as the defense is allowing 61.1 points on 39.2 percent shooting, including 26.5 percent from 3-point range. The Wildcats rank among the top-30 in 3 defensive categories, including sixth in 3-point field goal percentage defense, 23rd in scoring defense and 28th in field goal percentage defense.
  7. After allowing 70 or more points in the first 3 Big 12 games, the Wildcats have been better in the last 2 league contests, allowing just 55.5 points on 39.6 percent shooting, including 27.3 percent from long range. The key has been in forcing turnovers, as opponents averaged just 10.0 in the first 3 Big 12 games while have averaged 17.0 in the last 2. Five of the team's 7 losses have come when allowing 70 or more points.
  8. K-State has been able to score points off its opponent turnovers (16.4 ppg.) while forcing an average of 13.7 turnovers per game. The Wildcats has scored 20 or more points off turnovers 3 times, including 22 vs. Nebraska (12/19/21).


IMPROVED OFFENSE, BUT WORK CONTINUES FROM 3

  1. The Wildcats are averaging 68.3 points on 42.8 percent shooting, including 34.1 percent from 3-point range, while connecting on 73 percent from the free throw line through the first 16 games. The team is averaging 28.1 points in the paint, 18.4 points off the bench, 16.4 points off turnovers, 8.6 fast-break points and 9.0 points on second-chance opportunities.
  2. K-State's offense shines when the Wildcats share the ball, as the team is averaging 72.3 points and 15.8 assists in their 9 wins compared to just 63.7 points and 11.8 assists in their 7 losses. The squad has scored 266 combined points (29.6 ppg.) in the paint in their 9 victories, including 46 vs. North Dakota, which were the most since scoring 50 against Eastern Kentucky in Nov. 16, 2018.
  3. After ranking among the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country in 2020-21, those numbers have improved in 2021-22. The Wildcats are second in the Big 12 in 3-point field goals per game (7.9), while they are fifth in the league in 3-point field goal percentage (34.1).
  4. The Wildcats' 3-point shooting needs consistency, as they made 23.6 percent (37-of-157) vs. Arkansas, Illinois, Wichita State, Marquette, Nebraska Texas and TCU while hitting on 41.9 percent (90-of-215) vs. Florida A&M, Omaha, North Dakota, UAlbany, Green Bay, McNeese, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Texas Tech.


IMPROVED DEPTH/EXPERIENCE

  1. It has been well chronicled how young the Wildcats were during the 2020-21 season, as only 11 Division I schools were less experienced than K-State with only Auburn and Duke less experienced among the Power 6. The Wildcats were one of 10 teams to start at least 3 true freshmen in one game with Davion Bradford, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack starting in 17 of the 29 games.
  2. It has been well chronicled how young the Wildcats were during the 2020-21 season, as only 11 Division I schools were less experienced than K-State with only Auburn and Duke less experienced among the Power 6. The Wildcats were one of 10 teams to start at least 3 true freshmen in one game with Davion Bradford, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack starting in 17 of the 29 games.
  3. The Wildcats have used at least 7 players in each of the first 16 games with all 7 those players totaling double-digit field goals made and 7 averaging nearly 6 points per game, including 3 double-digit scorers (Pack, Nowell and Smith).
  4. K-State is averaging nearly 18.4 points per game from its bench this season, including 28-point efforts against No. 13/12 Arkansas and No. 14/15 Illinois. The team is 8-2 this season when getting 20 or more points from the bench.
  5. Before joining the starting lineup, Nowell had provided a spark off the bench, averaging 11.7 points in the first 6 games, while Miguel had been that spark of late with 4 of his 6 double-digit scoring games coming off the bench, including tying his career-high with 17 points vs. McNeese.


IMPROVED FREE THROW SHOOTING

  1. Despite a dismal night from the line against TCU, K-State has still been solid from the free throw line this season, connecting on 72.9 percent (186-of-255) from the charity stripe, which ranks third in the Big 12.
  2. That percentage was even better in its 3-game stretch vs. Omaha, No. 13/12 Arkansas and No. 14/15 Illinois, as the Wildcats hit on 81.3 percent (39-of-48) during that stretch, including 78.1 percent (25-of-32) in the games against the Razorbacks and Fighting Illini.
  3. Four players (Nijel Pack, Markquis Nowell, Ish Massoud and Mike McGuirl) are hitting on better than 70 percent from the free throw line, as Massoud (18-of-18) has been perfect so far.
  4. The Wildcats shot just 66.4 percent from the free throw line in 2020-21, while they haven't connected on better than 70 percent from the line since hitting on 73.4 percent as a team in 2017-18.


TURNOVER LOW

  1. K-State turned the ball over just 4 times in the loss to No. 14/15 Illinois, which tied 5 others for the third-fewest in a game in school history and fewest since also registered 4 turnovers in a win over Gonzaga on Dec. 21, 2013. It tied the 2013 Gonzaga contest for the fewest turnovers in the Bruce Weber era.
  2. The Wildcats have also had single digits turnovers 3 times in the last 9 games, including 7 vs. Wichita State (12/1/21) and 6 vs. Texas (1/4/22).


PACK OFF TO STRONG START

  1. Sophomore Nijel Pack is off to an impressive start to the 2021-22 season, as he has led or have been tied for the team lead in scoring in 9 of 14 games played, including posting consecutive 20-point outings against No. 14/16 Texas (21) and West Virginia (20) for the first time in his career.
  2. Pack is averaging a team-best 15.4 points on 43.6 percent (75-of-172) shooting, including 39.4 percent (41-of-104) from 3-point range, to go with 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 30.4 minutes per game. He is the leader in scoring, double-digit scoring games (13), field goals (75) and 3-point field goals (41).
  3. Pack ranks among the Big 12's top-10 in 4 categories, including second in 3-point field goals per game (2.93), third in 3-point field goal percentage, sixth in scoring and seventh in field goal percentage. Through 5 Big 12 games, he is fourth in scoring (16.4 ppg.) and second in 3-point field goals per game (3.20).
  4. Coupled with his free throw percentage of 92 percent (23-of-25), Pack is the only regular starter in the Big 12 shooting at least 44 percent from the field, 39 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the free throw line.


NOWELL PROVIDES SPARK

  1. Junior Markquis Nowell returned to the lineup against West Virginia and provided an immediate spark to the Wildcat, collecting his third points/assists double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 assists in 32 minutes. He is believed to be the first Wildcat to accomplish the feat in his first league game.
  2. His 3 points/assists double-doubles are the most-ever by a Wildcat in both a single-season and career, as he also posted double-doubles against Marquette (11 points, 11 assists) and McNeese (18 points, 10 assists). He nearly tallied the school's first recorded triple-double vs. Marquette, as he added 8 rebounds to his 11 points and 11 assists in 37 minutes. He now has 8 such double-doubles in his college career, posting 5 during his 3-year stint at Little Rock (2018-21).
  3. Nowell leads in assists (77) and steals (36), while he is second in scoring (12.6 ppg.), while connecting on 41.7 percent from the field and 87.2 percent from the free throw line. He ranks seventh in the nation and first in the Big 12 in steals (2.6), while he is 24th nationally and second in the Big 12 in assists (5.5).


SMITH'S IMPRESSIVE NIGHT

  1. The loss at Oklahoma overshadowed a historic performance by senior Mark Smith, who became the first Wildcat in school history to post a game of at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists since assists became officially kept by the NCAA in 1976-77. He had career-highs in points (25), rebounds (16) and assists (5), while posting zero turnovers in 39 minutes. His 16 rebounds were the most since Michael Beasley registered 17 boards against Missouri on Feb. 16, 2008.
  2. For his efforts, Smith was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, becoming the first Wildcat to earn the honor since Dean Wade in 2016.
  3. Smith, who is averaging a near double-double in Big 12 play (13.8 ppg., 9.2 rpg.) has 4 double-doubles and is the conference leader in rebounding.


MOVING TOWARDS 500

  1. Head coach Bruce Weber is working towards a coaching milestone, as he is 8 wins away from earning 500 in his career. He enters Tuesday's game with a 492-292 (.628) record in 24 years as a head coach at Southern Illinois (1998-2003), Illinois (2003-12) and K-State (2012-21).
  2. If Weber were to achieve the milestone in 2021-22, he would be among elite company as only 27 current Division I coaches have reached 500 wins in their career with Herb Sendek (Santa Clara) recently joining the club.


HOPING FOR BETTER INJURY LUCK

  1. K-State is hoping for better luck on the injury front in 2021-22 after injuries were a major factor in the 2020-21 season, as 9 players combined to miss 75 games, which caused head coach Bruce Weber to start 3 true freshmen (Davion Bradford, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack) a combined 71 times, which ranked second nationally to Kentucky.
  2. Only one other Division I team (Long Beach State) had more players miss time due to injuries in 2020-21.
  3. Although that luck has been tested early with big man Seryee Lewis going down with a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, along with injuries slowing down the progress made by junior Carlton Linguard, Jr., and freshman Maximus Edwards. Linguard returned to practice in late December.
  4. Although that luck has been tested early with big man Seryee Lewis going down with a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, along with injuries slowing down the progress made by junior Carlton Linguard, Jr., and freshman Maximus Edwards. Linguard returned to practice in late December.
  5. The backcourt has been hit of late, as Pack missed 2 games against Wichita State and Marquette due to a concussion, while Markquis Nowell missed the first 2 Big 12 games due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
  6. Seven players (Bradford, Edwards, Nowell, junior Kaosi Ezeagu, freshman Logan Landers and walk-ons Jordan Brooks and Trey Harris) plus head coach Bruce Weber missed the game vs. No. 14/16 Texas (1/4/22), while six players (Edwards, Ezeagu, Landers, Brooks, Harris and senior Mike McGuirl) and Weber missed the game at West Virginia (1/8/22) due to health protocols.
  7. K-State has not played one game with 10 healthy scholarship players.


McGUIRL UTILIZES EXTRA SEASON

  1. K-State received some good news on March 23 when senior Mike McGuirl announced that he was utilizing his extra season and returning to the Wildcats for the 2021-22 season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA announced in October that they had agreed to grant players an additional year of eligibility.
  2. An All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, McGuirl is coming off solid senior season in 2020-21, in which, he either led or was tied for the team lead in 12 categories, including points, field goals, 3-pointers, assists and steals. He was second in scoring (11.8 ppg.) to freshman teammate Nijel Pack.
  3. McGuirl's 20 double-digit scoring games doubled his entire career total (10) that he had entering the 2020-21 season. He opened the season with his first career 20-point game vs. Drake on November 25 with 22 points then equaled it against Fort Hays State on December 8, while he had a team-high 19 points in the upset of No. 7/8 Oklahoma on February 23. Of his 705 career points, 542 have come in the last two seasons in 58 games played with 49 starts (9.3 ppg.).
  4. The only player to start all 29 games, McGuirl showed his versatility by leading the Wildcats in scoring a team-best 11 times, while he also paced the team in rebounding 4 times, in assists 14 times and in steals on 10 occasions. He led the team in scoring (16), rebounding (9) and assists (5) in the win over TCU on February 20, a win which started the team's late surge to end the season (four wins in the last 6 games).


THE 'CATS INK 3 HIGH-PROFILE TRANSFERS

  1. K-State got an infusion of experience with the addition of 3 high-profile Division I transfers in fifth-year Mark Smith (Missouri), junior Markquis Nowell and sophomore Ismael (Ish) Massoud (Wake Forest). All 3 took advantage of the new transfer rules and are immediately eligible in 2021-22.
  2. Like McGuirl, Smith earned a second senior season due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and will bring 100 games of experience to the court after playing at Illinois (2017-18) and Missouri (2018-21). Nowell, who was a Lou Henson All-American at Little Rock, averaged double figures in each of his three seasons as a Trojan. Massoud played in all 53 games of his Wake Forest career, averaging 8.3 points per game as a sophomore in 2020-21.
  3. The transfers presumably fill the Wildcats' greatest need from the 2020-21 season, which was a lack of production from the 3-point line. The team ranked 319th (out of 340 teams) in 3-point field goal percentage (29.6), while they were 126th in total 3-point field goals made (191) and 243rd in 3-point field goals per game (6.6). The trio have combined for nearly 450 triples (446) in their respective careers on 36.1 percent shooting.
  4. The trio have made their impact in the first 16 games with Smith starting every game, while Massoud and Nowell have 14 and 8 starts, respectively. They have combined for 473 points (29.6 ppg.) on 42 percent (163-of-392) shooting with 244 rebounds (15.3 rpg.), 116 assists (7.3 apg.) and 70 steals (4.4 spg). Nowell has scored in double figures in 10 games, including 3 points/assists double-doubles, while Massoud has 7 double-digit scoring games. Smith has 4 double-doubles and is the Big 12 leader in rebounding (8.3 rpg.).


A QUICK LOOK AT K-STATE

  1. K-State returns 9 lettermen, including 4 players (Davion Bradford, Mike McGuirl, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack) who registered starts during its COVID-19 challenging 2020-21 campaign, which resulted in the Wildcats' second consecutive non-winning season at 9-20 overall and 4-14 in Big 12 play. In addition to these 4 players, the team will get back the services of several key lettermen, including juniors Kaosi Ezeagu and Carlton Linguard, Jr., sophomores Luke Kasubke and Seryee Lewis and walk-on Drew Honas.
  2. The biggest headliner from the returners might be McGuirl, who opted to return for an extra season in 2021-22 after his senior season was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. He earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors in 2020-21 after leading the Wildcats in 12 categories, including points (342), double-digit scoring games (20), field goals (112), 3-point field goals (60), assists (103), steals (30) and minutes (34.3).
  3. The freshmen trio of Bradford, Miguel and Pack had to grow up fast in their first season, starting together in 17 games with 12 of those coming in Big 12 play. The 71 combined starts by the three true freshmen in 2020-21 ranked second nationally only to Kentucky (72). The three combined to average 25.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 2020-21, as Pack (12.7 ppg.) became the first true freshman to lead the Wildcats in scoring since 2013-14. Bradford (7.7 ppg.) and Miguel (7.2 ppg.) were fourth and fifth in scoring.  
  4. Ezeagu started early on for K-State before an injury forced him to miss 10 games. He returned in mid-January as mostly a reserve, averaging 5.2 points on 67.7 percent (21-of-31) in his last 10 games. Linguard and Lewis each showed flashes in their first seasons, playing in 17 and 18 games, respectively, while Kasubke recovered from a preseason injury that forced him to miss the first 13 games to be a key contributor in the final 16 games.


UP NEXT: 7/7 KANSAS (14-2, 3-1 Big 12)

  1. K-State continues action on Saturday afternoon when the Wildcats return home to face in-state rival No. 7/7 Kansas (14-2, 3-1 Big 12) at 3 p.m., CT at Bramlage Coliseum. The Jayhawks have won the last 5 meetings with the last Wildcat victory coming at home, 74-67, on Feb. 5, 2019.
  2. Kansas is averaging a Big 12-best 81.9 points per game on 50.2 percent shooting, including 37 percent from 3-point range, while allowing 66.3 points per game on 41.9 percent shooting, including 31.2 percent from long range. The Jayhawks have 5 players averaging 7 or more points, including double-digit scorers Ochai Agbaji (20.6 ppg.) and Christian Braun (15.6 ppg.).
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