Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

6’1″, 180 lbs point guard Nigel Johnson from Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, MD is officially a Wildcat. The second PG recruit in Bruce Weber’s inaugaral recruitment class originally committed to K-State on April 20 and has now signed with the team. He chose the Wildcats after narrowing his selection to K-State and Missouri.

Johnson had a journey in school selection before finally choosing to land in Manhattan. He was a verbal commit to George Washington in 2012 but a stellar senior season opened up additional doors for playing opportunities. The week before committing to K-State he took an official visit to Seton Hall and was offered a scholarship there. He also planned to visit both K-State and Missouri before making his decision.

Johnson’s pronouncement came earlier than expected, and was likely fueled by the announced that another highly touted PG – Shane Rector – had already decided on the Tigers. Johnson’s playing opportunities at K-State received another boost when Angel Rodriguez announced his intention to transfer to Miami after leading the Wildcats to a share of the regular season conference title. The two factors were likely the determinants in his decision to pick Kansas State.

Johnson joins Jevon Thomas as part of the two-headed point guard monster Bruce Weber will have battle for the starting role in the backcourt this year. And regardless of who prevails in that competition, both players should see time while attempting to fill the shoes left behind by Rodriguez. To read The Jug’s initial reaction to the announcement that Nigel made his verbal committment to K-State, click here.

Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Following the decisions to transfer by Michael Orris, Adrian Diaz, and Angel Rodriguez, Bruce Weber has been desperately seeking a win. He has the chance for a big one next week when 6’9″ power forward Tanner Lancona visits K-State’s campus next weekend. His decision to visit Manhattan follows a trip Weber took to California in which he visited Lancona’s high school and talked to the recruit for over an hour.

Lancona originally signed a National Letter of Intent with Washington State but was released from the letter on April 11. The Cougars where in a position wherein they promised more scholarships than they had available to give, and classified the decision to release Lancona as a “mutual decision.”

K-State, already lacking height and losing starting forward Jordan Henriquez to graduation, is down to Thomas Gipson, D.J. Johnson and incoming center Neville Fincher to serve as big men. Securing Lancona, who is considering three additional schools, would add some desperately needed beef inside. The Tesoro High School player averaged 19 points and eight rebounds his senior year and looks like he could easily stand his ground against the thinner departing Diaz or Henriquez.

Tancona is visiting St. Louis this weekend, and is also considering BYU and Colorado State. K-State may have an inside lead here with a thin bench (more playing time) and opportunity to play in one of the Big 6 conferences (although St. Louis will be joining the new Big East conference next year). He is rated as a three-star recruit by Scout.com, is notably capable of stepping out and knocking down three point shots, and has a generally awesome name. He will be on campus May 3-5.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

On the heels of a co-Big 12 regular season championship, spot in the Big 12 championship tournament game, and four seed in the NCAA tournament, Bruce Weber has come to terms with the Kansas State Athletic Department in a deal that will add one year to his contract and bring a nice raise. Here are the details of the agreement following the Wildcats’ 27-8 season that included a 14-4 mark in conference play:

• Extension keeps Weber in Manhattan through the 2018 academic year (through June 30, 2018).
• Increases 2013-14 season salary by $250,000, from $1.5 million to $1.75 million.

The extension was unanimously approved by the K-State Athletics, Inc., Board of Directors on Wednesday. His 27 wins were the second most in school history, allowing Weber to bring home the Big 12 Coach of the Year recognition by the league coaches and The Associated Press, as well as the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) and National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) District Coach of the Year awards.

The conference coach of the year award was significant because it allowed Weber to reopen his contract for negotiation. The University responded swiftly by finding a solution they considered fiscally responsible while still providing the incentive to keep Weber from considering other offers.

Feb 5, 2013; Lubbock, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bruce Weber shouts instructions to guard Rodney McGruder (22) in the second half at the United Spirit Arena. Kansas State defeated Texas Tech 68-59. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Rodney McGruder was one of three Wildcats to be recognized by the league, while Bruce Weber was awarded Coach of the Year, during the Big 12′s annual regular season awards ceremony on Sunday. McGruder, who has found himself on several postseason watch lists, was expected to land on the Big 12′s First Team. The senior has led the team in both points (15.1) and minutes (32), and was also named a First Team All-Conference player by both ESPN and the Kansas City Star. His selection marks just the third Kansas State player to have received the recognition, joining Michael Beasley and Jacob Pullen.

In addition to McGruder’s accolades, Angel Rodriguez was awarded Second Team recognition on Sunday. The sophomore has brought consistency to play that showed flashes of brilliance last year, providing lockdown defense and constantly finding ways to create opportunities for teammates. Rodriguez is second on the team in points (11.5), and leads the team in assists (5.5) per game. His assist average is the second-highest in school history, trailing only Jim Roder’s 1983-84 record of 5.62. Additionally, Shane Southwell received All-Big 12 honorable mention. Southwell was expected to contribute more offensively this year, although his 8.3 points per game are accompanied by an amazing 45.5 shooting percentage from three. The tallest of the team’s four starting guards, Southwell has been largely asked to step up and guard bigger players this year while helping the Wildcats to the league’s best defense.

The least drama of the night was the selection of Bruce Weber as the league’s Coach of the Year. Kansas State was picked to finish 5th in the conference this year and came into the season unranked. The Wildcats were only 10-8 in 2011-12, watched head coach Frank Martin depart for South Carolina, and graduated two of the best players in recent memory in PG Jacob Pullen and F Curtis Kelly (Pullen is the only Wildcat to be named All-Big 12 First Team twice). In addition to losing its floor leader and best inside presence to graduation, three players transferred to other schools at the end of the year. In spite of all this, Weber managed to reach #8 in the country at one point in the season, finished #11, and won a share of the Big 12 regular season title along with KU. Despite the media’s low expectations, K-State finished 25-6 on the season with a 14-4 mark in conference play. Weber has had a healthy dose of talent to work with, but has also done a great job of squeezing every ounce of it out of his players. This team is marked by the same defensive tenacious that previous Wildcat teams trademarked, and there was little doubt of how deserving of the award he was.

The Wildcats are the number two seed in the Big 12 tournament, and will take on the winner of TCU/TX on Thursday.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas State has a shot at redemption tonight when the Baylor Bears come to visit Manhattan for a 6 p.m. Central tipoff with a first place tie in the Big 12 on the line. Sitting at 8-3 in conference play, K-State lost control of sole possession after falling to Kansas on Monday. KU, also at 8-3, has an easier matchup when Texas (11-13, 3-8) visits Lawrence. Oklahoma State, the third member of the three-way tie, has an exciting game against Oklahoma (16-7, 7-4) on tap. However, all eyes should be on the first of two K-State-Baylor games this year.

K-State’s defense took a major blow when it ceded 82 points to the Jayhawks. The Wildcats were the league’s leader in scoring margin before that game, but slipped all the way to fourth at +4.0. They were supplanted by Baylor, who now leads the Big 12 with a +9.5 point scoring margin. This is boosted by the Bears’ top-rated defense, allowing only 60.7 points per conference game.

However, the Bears aren’t just successful because of their defense – Baylor sports an offense capable of going off against anyone. They are averaging 32.3 percent of their three point attempts and are ranked 30th in the nation according to Ken Pomeroy’s adjusted offensive efficiency rankings. They’re led by the not-so-imposing guard Pierre Jackson, who stands at only 5’10″ but leads the team with 18.9 points/game.

So how does K-State match up against a team that, at least statistically, looks to be the best in the conference? First, expect the Wildcats to be out for blood from the opening tipoff. Possibly the most hyped game in the nation this week was a 21-point dud of a loss, and Bruce Weber will have his team ready to fire on all cylinders in the friendly confines of Bramlage Coliseum. This is a team that won four in row before Monday as Rodney McGruder has really taken off once becoming comfortable with Weber’s new offensive system. Angel Rodriguez, who was maddeningly inconsistent as a freshman, has grown into his own. It’s hard to be too high on the level of energy he brings on defense, and his willingness to attack the rim with the decision-making ability to decide whether to shoot or pass to an open teammate makes him a Rajon Rondo that can hit threes. Will Spradling is ever-ready to knock down the three should Rodriguez kick it out, and the decision to start Jordan Henriquez with limited minutes while bringing Thomas Gipson off the bench has been working well.

Henriquez and Gipson will need to step up their game again this afternoon, as Baylor sports a tremendous 7-footer in 7’1″ freshman Isaiah Austin. Austin ranks tenth in the conference with 12.8 points/game, and has actually hit 10 three pointers on the season. He’s also second in rebouding (10.0 average) and blocks (2.0). K-State’s guard play has never been in question, but if the team is able to limit Austin’s scoring opportunities and wear him down on defense, it will demonstrate this team is able to take on opponents of any skill set.

Kate. (obscenity). Upton. Credit: RedCarpetDivas.com

“First and foremost, coaches, and then players, have to really recognize what are the issues. We’re in that process right now. We got a decent start on it (Monday), and we hope to continue through the week.” – Bill Snyder, doing a “Monday’s” joke.

Good afternoon and how the hell are ya!? I’m so glad you’re here, because on this week’s BSLSH, a grave injustice will be avenged! It has the nation talking, and word is Bill Snyder himself is aghast. Also–along with (of course) some thoughts on your very own K-State Wildcats–observations on the Star Wars vs Star Trek debate will be sprinkled in.

And, here…we…go:

• KATE UPTON WAS CALLED FAT. KATE #$@!ing UPTON!  Who has the right to do such a thing? Kate Upton is a goddess! Kate Upton’s picture is used in eye doctors’ offices to determine if patients can see! If the patient says, “She looks fat” the doctor immediately begins lasik surgery. Oh no! A woman who actually eats and looks DAMN healthy! Someone grab a halter and a set of bells!
• Speaking of bells… wow, that woman is gifted. 
• Collin Klein made the O’Brien award watch list for best college quarterback for the upcoming season. That’s pretty awesome. It’s amazing how far he has come. It wasn’t that long ago fans were debating between him and Justin Tuggle. Now, Tuggle has been moved to linebacker. No word, though, on who would be the better linebacker.
• It’s KATE UPTON! Come on! If she’s “fat”, I’m the ugliest person to ever exist! (Easy now… it’s a humor column and I’m adorable.)
• Sticking with football, EA Sports has Kansas State in the national championship this coming season (with an undefeated season to boot) in this year’s college football video game. It was done by the game simulating the entire season simply based on team statistics.
• Star Trek is on FX, and it was just stabbed in the face with a commercial.
• I’ve been surprised that many fans haven’t either A.) bought his/her K-State 2012 BCS National Championship shirt already, or B.) at least verbally declared the big trophy. C’mon guys! It’s EA Sports! We’re awesome! It’s inevitable!
• The blogger named “Skinny Gurl” — who I assume is some spelling-challenged 13-year old trust-fund tween — said of Miss Upton “Huge thighs, NO waist, big fat floppy boobs, terrible body definition — she looks like a squishy brick. Is this what American women are ‘striving’ for now? The lazy, lardy look?” YES.  Yes they are. And if that is what Kate Upton looks like, then YES A MILLION TIMES. Dinner time, Skinny Gurl… it’s time to watch MTV and not notice your mom’s botched boob job.
• The K-State basketball team is getting ready for Brazil. I sincerely hope all goes well for the guys and new head coach Bruce Weber. Seems like things are going smooth for the program and no one has had anything really negative to report. Which, is such a change since the last regime.
• The thing about Star Trek is that it’s more intellectual than Star Wars. And easy on the proton torpedoes and thermal detonators, Star Wars fans. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. Star Wars has always been much stronger in story and themes. I even watched Episode 1 in 3D on opening night this winter. Yeah… I’m a fan. But the new J.J. Abrams Star Trek brings out the best in the franchise and does so in a super fun and intellectual way. There’s a lot going on and there is much more to keep up with.
• Oh yeah… K-State has an Olympian!!! High-jumper Erik Kynard is eight days away from the 2012 London Games. The Purple Pride from KSU nation has been cool to see for a sport that otherwise doesn’t get near the attention it deserves.
• I mean, Captain Kirk is born in the WORST possible situation. Some white bald guy with TATS comes from the future,  goes BLITZKRIEG on the SAME fleet his mom and dad are A PART OF and his dad is the ONLY ONE LEFT to save his mom, HIS OWN SELF… while being BORN, and 800 others by GOING KAMIKAZE! Luke, on the other hand, got to see Natalie Portman’s lady-parts. Point Star Trek.
• I spelled “blitzkrieg” correct on the first try.
• Kate, if you are reading this, I apologize on behalf of that terrible, angry 13-year old. You are perfection. There is nothing wrong with you. There is everything wrong with us. If you need someone to talk to… someone to lean on… someone to watch “Magic Mike” with, let me know. I’m here for you.

That’s it for this week, my friends. Join me and watch Kate Upton runway videos to protest this great debacle!

See ya next time. Go State.

Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE

From the moment he was hired, Kansas State head basketball coach Bruce Weber has been recruiting. There have been stories posted here on JOS about his efforts, including the signing of Michael Orris, an offer extended to Nathan Harris, and his offer to Damien Jones, a true student-athlete. Weber has also been working to rebuild recruiting bridges burnt by Frank Martin before he left for South Carolina. On Sunday, news broke of the first fruits of these recruiting efforts.

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Bruce Weber yells at guard Chester Frazier (3). Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

K-STATE SPORTS INFORMATION

May 29, 2012

MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State men’s basketball coach Bruce Weber added yet another former player to his coaching staff on Tuesday with the addition of former Illinois standout Chester Frazier as an assistant coach.

Frazier joins fellow assistant coaches Chris Lowery and Alvin Brooks III, director of men’s basketball operations Brad Korn and strength and conditioning coach Jimmy Price on Weber’s coaching staff.

“I’m really excited about the addition of Chester to the staff,” said Weber.  “He’s another former player of mine who I think is going to be an outstanding coach.  He’s sort of in the same mold as (current Vanderbilt head coach) Kevin Stallings and (Purdue head coach) Matt Painter, where I always knew he was going to be a coach.  Chester is young (26) and has ties to the East Coast (Baltimore), which were goals for my final assistant spot.  He’s a real student of the game and someone who I think will be able to develop strong relationships with our players.”

Frazier comes to K-State after playing professionally for two years in Germany, first for Goettingen (2009-10) and then for S. Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg Basketball Club (2011-12).

As the starting point guard for head coach John Patrick, Frazier helped Wuerzburg to a 20-14 overall record and trip to the semifinals of the German Bundesliga playoffs.  He averaged 7.7 points on 37.7 percent shooting, including 28.9 percent from 3-point range, with 3.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.4 minutes per game.  He ranked first on the team in assists, while he was second in steals and fourth in both minutes and rebounds.  He was one of seven former college players on the Wuerzburg roster, including Chris Kramer (Purdue), Ricky Harris (Massachusetts), Ben Jacobson (Northern Iowa) and Ivan Elliott (UC Santa Barbara).

Frazier helped Goettingen to the 2010 EuroChallenge title, averaging 20.4 minutes in 31 games played.  He averaged 5.9 points on 50.6 percent shooting, including 34.2 percent from 3-point range, with 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.  In helping Goettingen to the EuroChallenge title, he averaged 3.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game.  He played along a number of former college players with Goettingen, including Dwayne Anderson (Villanova), Jason Boone (NYU), Chris Oliver (Radford) and Taylor Rochestie (Washington State).

“I am incredibly excited to become a part of the Kansas State family,” said Frazier.  “Coaching is my passion and I am looking forward to getting to work and to help build a winning culture here at K-State, along with the rest of the staff.”

Prior to his stint in Germany, Frazier served as a graduate assistant and video coordinator for Weber at Illinois from 2010-11.  He helped the Fighting Illini to a 20-win season and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2010-11.  He resigned midway through his second year to resume his playing career in Germany.

Frazier was a four-year lettermen and two-time captain for the Fighting Illini from 2005-09, playing all four seasons for Weber.  Known for being a hard-nose point guard, he helped Illinois to 89 wins, including three 20-win seasons, and three trips to the NCAA Tournament during his career.  He played 125 games with 88 starts in his career, averaging 4.9 points on 35.9 percent shooting with 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 28.5 minutes per game.  Frazier still ranks seventh all-time at Illinois in career assists (484) and ninth in career assists per game (3.9 apg.).  He ranks just outside the Top 10 in minutes played (3,566).

As a senior, Frazier led Illinois to 24 wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008-09.  He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten as well as Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors and was selected as the team most valuable player.  He led the Big Ten in assists (5.3 apg.) and held a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio as a senior.  He also averaged 5.7 points on 44.8 percent shooting and was one of the best rebounding point guards nationally, averaging 4.8 per game.  He was also named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team as a sophomore in 2006-07.

Frazier prepped for head coach Herman Harried at Lake Clifton-Eastern High School in Baltimore, where he earned first team All-Baltimore City/County honors and second team All-Metro accolades by the Baltimore Sun as a senior.  He averaged 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals in 2003-04.  He also spent one season at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Fitchburg, Mass., averaging 16 points and seven assists in 2004-05.

A native of Baltimore, Md., Frazier, 26, earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation management from Illinois in 2009.  He also took courses towards a master’s degree in educational policy studies from Illinois.

Bruce Weber yells at guard Chester Frazier (3). Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Chester Frazier, who was a standout player for Weber at Illinois, will fill the final spot on Weber’s coaching staff. He was chosen over KSU alum Anthony Beane, who is currently an assistant coach with Illinois State.

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John Currie being interviewed. Credit: Travis Heying

John Currie is a man on the move. The Kansas State athletic director has had few opportunities to slow down in the weeks since Frank Martin exited stage left on the way to South Carolina. In an interview with SiriusXM Sports, Currie talked about how he was able to oversee a revitalization of the K-State athletic department, which saw it go from a $2.8 million shortfall to a profit of over $23 million in three short years.

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