2009-10 Result: 29-8 (11-5 Big 12) lost to Butler, 63-56 in the West Regional final.
Coach: Frank Martin 72-32 in three seasons in Manhattan.
Twenty-one Wildcats have laced them up in the National Basketball Association. Currently, Michael Beasley, Cartier Martin and Bill Walker earn paychecks in the Association.
The Wildcats have punched 24 tickets to The Dance with Final Four appearances in ’48, ’51, ’58 and ’64. K-State also has 11 Elite Eight finishes.
Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 11/16 vs. Virginia Tech, 11/22 vs. Gonzaga, 11/23 vs. Duke or Marquette, 12/03 at Washington State, 12/18 vs. Florida
Stat of Identity: 4.3 Rebound Margin (43rd in the nation)
Key Returners:
Jacob Pullen 31.6 mpg, 19.3 ppg, 82.2 FT%
Curtis Kelly 25.4 mpg, 11.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Jamar Samuels 23.2 mpg, 11 ppg
Rodney McGruder 12.5 mpg, 3.9 ppg
Wally Judge 11.7 mpg, 3.3 ppg
Martavious Irving 10.3 mpg
By Paul Casey Gotham
Nobody can accuse Frank Martin and the Wildcats of playing hide and go seek. Martin’s squad gets after it every night. Last season, while every other team chose to pack it in against the Kansas Jayhawks, K-State did the opposite. Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente extended their defense 25 feet from the basket.
Kansas State lost the game in overtime, 81-79. But a message was sent: We are not backing down to anyone.
The Wildcats take that attitude into this season as they cobbled together as challenging a non-conference as any team in the country.
Stopping Kansas State starts with Pullen. The senior guard led the ‘Cats in points, field goals made, three-pointers made, free throws made and free throw percentage. But focusing on Pullen will prove to be an exercise in frustration.
Curtis Kelly pounds the paint. At 6’8″ opponents may underestimate the senior, but Kelly’s athleticism quickly changes that. He is difficult to block out when the ball is in the air. If he doesn’t get the rebound, he creates openings for his teammates.
Jamar Samules adds depth to the front court.
Martavious Irving and Rodney McGruder strengthen the back court.
Freshmen, Shane Southwell, Will Spradling and Nino Williams will vie for playing time.
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