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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.

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Maybe I’m still in denial. I’ve never been great with the whole ‘acceptance’ phase after experiencing a traumatic event in life. Our new writer Shane Summers tried to bring some catharsis with this article, but I still lay in bed dreaming that the Wildcats didn’t get bounced by La Salle in their first NCAA tournament game. So here’s how it should would have gone down if Angel Rodriguez’s desperately awkward, behind the backboard shot had gone in against the Explorers. We’ll call it the Jug of Snyder Final (Fantasy) Four recap:

Following its harrowing victory against La Salle, the Wildcats faced an Ole Miss team that upset Wisconsin in its first game. The Rebels (27-9) ran up against a much more hostile crowd than La Salle against K-State – Kansas City was absolutely jumping as fans salivated at the thought of earning a trip to the Sweet Sixteen by way of defeating an SEC squad.

Mississippi used a height advantage to outrebound Kansas State, but the Wildcats were on fire from behind the arc. They absolutely decimated an Ole Miss zone defense that kept Jordan Henriquez and Thomas Gipson in check, but allowed shot after shot from outside. Rodney McGruder led all scorers with 27 points, connecting on six of 11 three point shots. Final score: Mississippi 56, K-State 71.

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National Signing Day isn’t until April 17, but Kansas State got a jump start on the process by inking point guard Jevon Thomas on Wednesday as a mid-year enrollee. A three-star prospect, Thomas experienced an interesting journey before eventually landing in Manhattan. Listed at just under six foot, Thomas is originally from Queens, N.Y. and committed to nearby St. John’s. However, Thomas left New York and enrolled at a Wisconsin prep school – St. Johns Northwest Military Academy – which caused him to reevaluate his decision. His final landing spot was Quality Education Academy in North Carolina, where he received his diploma. While at QEA he averaged 16 points and 12 assists for the 23-6 squad. He had also committed to Dayton before eventually choosing K-State.

As a mid-year enrollee, Thomas was granted a waiver by the NCAA to practice and play with the Wildcats at the conclusion of the 2013 fall semester, so he will begin play just as the conference season begin warming up. He will have four years of eligibility. Thomas will likely back up Angel Rodriguez, and should provide solid minutes when Rodriguez rests while engaging in a similar style of play. His double digit assist average is indicative of his vision and awareness. He is also a speedy player, another positive trait of K-State’s current starting point guard. On the defensive end, Coach Weber stated that “We’re excited to welcome Jevon to our program… we believe he has the ability to become a lockdown defender as he develops as a basketball player.”

In addition to Thomas, K-State has already signed Marcus Foster, the nation’s #39 point guard according to ESPN, and Wesley Iwundu, the nation’s #27 shooting guard.  Seeking bigger bodies, the team has received a commitment from the nation’s #29 center – Neville Fincher Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy – to fill its final scholarship allotment.

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Aside from its early season loss to Michigan State, there have only been two teams that tested KU from opening tipoff to the final seconds. Those teams meet in Ames, IA on Saturday as the #11 Wildcats (15-3, 4-1) take on the Iowa State Cyclones (13-5, 3-2) in what is shaping up to be the best game in the Big 12 this weekend. While KU needed a last-second three to tie Iowa State before going on to win in overtime, the Jayhawks led Kansas State the entire game put could never pull away and left Manhattan with a four point win.

K-State’s biggest folly against Kansas was its willingness to settle for threes. Sometimes the Wildcats fired off legitimately good looks. Other times, they merely looked too timid to attack KU’s height in the middle. They finished nine of 30 from behind the arc, putting a damper on a beautiful defensive effort. They won’t face the same height problem against Iowa State, which features a much smaller line up and has no starters above 6-7. The lack of contrast should allow Bruce Weber’s offense to flow more naturally, using a three guard starting line up (although Shane Southwell almost makes it a four guard line up) to create a lot of motion and open the floor for Rodney McGruder to take over the game.

McGruder has been on fire in conference games, averaging over 15 points a game on the season but 21.5 points since Big 12 play started. While he’s blossomed into the team’s go-to scorer, Iowa State has developed a score-by-committee approach, with five players averaging more than ten points while senior guard Chris Babb averages 8.9 points on 33 minutes/game. All of those scorers combined average 79 points per game, the 11th most in the nation. And although the Cyclones are not tremendous shooters – ranked 100th overall with a 44.9 percent shooting average – their 41.2 rebounds/night create a multitude of second chances.

Iowa State comes into the game on the heels of a 56-51 at Texas Tech on Wednesday. They have recorded 17 straight home victories, including nine straight Big 12 wins in Ames. In other Big 12 action, KU (5-0 in league play) takes on Oklahoma (4-1). If the Sooners are able to leave Lawrence with a victory, a win against the Cyclones will give K-State a three-way tie atop the Big 12′s standings thanks to a victory over OU last week. We’re just starting to have fun this season.

Following wins over TCU and Oklahoma last week, the Wildcats have moved to number 11 nationally in the Associated Press poll. With an overall ranking of 15-2 and an undefeated conference record, Kansas State has steadily moved its way into the national spotlight after two early season hiccups against top 10 opponents. The team’s first loss was to Michigan in Madison Square Garden, the last undefeated team in the nation. The Wolverines currently hold the number two spot. The team’s second loss was to Gonzaga in Seattle, who fell two spots to the number ten spot – just above K-State.

Kansas State holds one marquee win this year – a 67-61 triumph over Florida in Kansas City. The Gators have since climbed to number eight following two wins this week over former Big 12 members – a 21 point blow out win over Texas A&M and a 31 point evisceration of then #17 Missouri.

Big 12 member Iowa State received votes but not enough to make it into the rankings, netting the 35th most points in the poll. However, the big story this week will center in Manhattan. KU climbed to number three after Louisville lost to Syracuse – although they needed a big second half comeback against Texas this Saturday. The Jayhawks visit The Octagon of Dome Tuesday in a pairing of the Big 12′s only ranked teams (as well as the last two teams undefeated in conference play). Three teams from Kansas were included in this week’s poll, as Wichita State made its first appearance thanks to a nail biting victory over Creighton.

Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Rodney McGruder was once again the Wildcats’ top scorer, but Kansas State managed to spread the wealth as four starters scored in double figures during the team’s 69-60 win over Oklahoma Saturday afternoon. With the win, K-State improves to 15-2 on the season and 4-0 in conference play, setting up a huge game on Tuesday when the Jayhawks visit Manhattan. While many expected KU to contend for – and win – the Big 12 title, few predicted that January 22 would feature the last two undefeated teams remaining in league play. KU came from behind to defeat Texas, 64-59, just an hour earlier.

The Wildcats once again failed to eclipse the 70 point mark, but were able to hit the shots that mattered down the stretch in downing an Oklahoma team that flustered the Wildcats during the 2011-12 season, as Lon Kruger’s crew went 2-0 against K-State last year. In addition to the 20 points netted by McGruder, Will Spradling contributed 15 while Angel Rodriguez and Shane Southwell each finished with 12. After shooting an incredible 53 percent three point percentage against TCU, K-State was once again on fire from downtown, hitting 10 of 24 to finish .417 on the night. However, the team was also able to find success from the charity stripe, hitting 15 of 22 free throws thanks to 18 Oklahoma fouls. The Wildcats only managed to hit four of ten free throws against the Horned Frogs.

The best differential for the Wildcats? Turnovers. They were able to force 16 Sooner turnovers, while only coughing up the ball eight times themselves. The worst? Rebounding. The Wildcats came into the game ranked 28th nationally with 40 rebounds per game, but only managed to pull down 24 boards compared to Oklahoma’s 36 rebounds. The Sooners were particularly effective on the offensive end, pulling down 11 offensive rebounds to K-State’s five.

The Jordan Henriquez off the bench experiment continues to find mixed success for the Wildcats. Henriquez was ineffective on the scoring end, hitting only one of three shots and only doling out one assist. However, he continues to be a an imposing presence on defense, collecting three blocks in 20 minutes. Equally important, Henriquez only committed one foul – he’s struggled recently to hold his ground against bulkier opponents. Henriquez now has 28 blocks on the season, and will be expected to bring that intensity when called to keep KU’s 7-0 center Jeff Withey in check.

Kansas State is currently ranked #16 in the nation, and should break into the top 15 when the new rankings are released on Monday. Oklahoma was also undefeated in Big 12 play coming into the game, standing at 3-0 with an overall record of 12-3 and an RPI ranking of 15.

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Teams are expected to make the majority of their free throws. They are, after all, free throws. Three point attempts are a bit more challenging, and knocking in over a third of your attempts is about all a coach can really demand (although hitting more is nice). That’s because you’re shooting from farther back, in motion, angled against the backboard, and typically with a hand in your face. Teams should be better at free throws than three pointers.

The Jug only brings this up because last night in Fort Worth, Kansas State managed to nail 53 percent (9-17) of its three point shots but only 40 percent (4-10) of its free throws. Leading the way in this trend was Rodney McGruder, who went three of six from downtown but oh for two at the charity stripe. Truly wild stuff.

The game’s final score read 67-54, as the 13 point lead K-State took into halftime was never in doubt during the second quarter. And while the Wildcats have become accustomed to low scoring affairs, the game wasn’t anywhere close to normal last night. K-State has never been a consistent free throw shooting team, but it typically finds itself engaged in physical match ups with a lot of personal fouls. And while 21 were meted out to K-State players (an average night), the Horned Frogs were only whistled ten times. It was the result of a deliberately slow tempo that saw consistent perimeter passing – eventually leading to open looks that allowed the 9 for 17 three point shooting.

On the other end, K-State’s defense was able to frustrate an impotent TCU team into shooting only 38 percent en route to 54 points. The one aspect of the game TCU was able to limit the Wildcats was rebounding – K-State recorded only 30 boards Wednesday night although it averages 40. However, the Horned Frogs only recorded 28 themselves, as the low overall total was a result of the slow and deliberate tempo observed throughout the night (you can’t get a lot of rebounds when there aren’t a lot of shots being made).

As K-State advances to 14-2 and 3-0 in Big 12 play, Rodney McGruder looks to have officially made this his team. It took a little longer than fans would have liked, but he put up an impressive stat line for the third straight night. Against TCU he compiled 21 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 32 minutes of play. And although he missed both of his free throws, his shooting was otherwise so efficient (9-15, .600) that his performance can’t be denied. K-State has a rough week ahead, as it faces the two remaining teams with undefeated records in Big 12 play (3-0 Oklahoma this Saturday, and 3-0 KU on Tuesday). Both games in Manhattan.

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A new rivalry may be firmly entrenched in the Big 12. When Bob Huggins suddenly jumped ship and left the Wildcats dangling in 2007, there was no shortage of raw emotion in Manhattan. When K-State and West Virginia met in Wichita last year for a nonconference showdown, the game was one of the hardest fought all year. The Mountaineers prevailed in overtime, 85-80, and went on to finish in the middle of a loaded Big East conference. Headed into their first year in the Big 12, it was K-State that won the uncomfortably close game, 65-64.

The see-saw of a game never witnessed a run. The biggest lead of the afternoon came when Rodney McGruder hit a three pointer with 15 minutes to play, putting K-State up by 48-41. However, West Virginia received an easy layup by Aaric Murray, two free throws by Murray, and finally a dunk by the center to bring the score to 48-47. Murray would make a free throw five minutes later that put West Virginia on top, 56-54.

An Angel Rodriguez three with five minutes to play brought the lead back to Kansas State, 57-56, but the Wildcats were never able to build on the lead and close out the Mountaineers until the last seconds. In fact, West Virginia came and regained the lead inside the final two minutes by field goals from Murray and Eron Harris. The Harris score came 26 seconds left, leaving K-State with a final possession. Convert, and leave West Virginia comfortable with their number 18 ranking. Fail, and fall to 1-1 in conference play. With 21 seconds left, Shane Southwell was fouled and made both free throws to put K-State back in the lead, 65-64.

West Virginia would actually get two more tries, obtaining the offensive rebound after Jabarie Hinds’ miss. However, Shane Southwell proved to be the final minute hero, blocking Gary Browne as time expired after hitting two do-or-die free throws only twenty seconds earlier.

Coach Bruce Weber appears to have settled on his rotation going forward, and it may mean lots of minutes for his core players. After experimenting with various packages early in the year, only three bench players saw meaningful playing time. And while Nino Williams only received 13 minutes, he’s looking increasingly important during the moments he is on the court. Today he scored six points on three of six shooting, but only had three personal fouls that contributed to early returns to the bench.

Rodney McGruder came back down to earth after looking like the best player in the conference recently, and only scored 17 points while having extreme difficulty finding the basket in the second half. And although he shot less than 50 percent on the day (7-16), his 43 percent shooting from behind the arc provided enough boost to keep the ‘Cats going during the first half. Game ball goes to Shane Southwell. In addition to his late game heroics, the junior put up the following stat line: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, only 1 personal foul, and an amazing .714 shooting percentage in 32 minutes. He was a model of efficiency in an otherwise ugly game. It appears that this is the way K-State plans on winning this year: defensive battles wherein no team ever looks good, but one player steps up for the team to provide just enough to put the Wildcats over the top. With the number 18 ranking in the country, so far, so good.

Next on the schedule for the 3-0 Wildcats is Division II Alabama Huntsville, who won their first round game against North Texas by the score of 78-75 (North Texas’s coach is mum on whether his players will be riding in or pushing the bus after losing to a Division II basketball team). Should Kansas State win Tuesday’s game in Bramlage Coliseum, they will advance to the quarterfinals in Madison Square Garden against the South Division winner, which is expected to be #2 seed Virginia (also in the South are Delaware, Penn, and Fairfield). The quarterfinal games will take place on Wednesday, November 21 in NYC and will hopefully give families a distraction during the Thanksgiving holiday to put off arguing over Uncle Lester’s midlife crisis known as Tammy the coed. The tournament’s final will be held Friday, November 23 where live updates will be going up on jugofsnyder.com, tweeted straight from section 108, row 18 while the rest of the Jug’s family attempts to salvage a burnt turkey somewhere in north central Kansas.

Other notables in the NIT tournament are #1 seed Michigan, #4 Pitt, #5 Lehigh, and #6 Robert Morris. For those wondering, Kansas State was the #3 seed in the NIT Season Tipoff.

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The signature of Frank Martin’s teams at K-State was a hard-nosed style of play that emphasized defense and hustle. Martin may have left for yellower pastures in South Carolina, but the legacy of defense lives on. That is, it will if new coach Bruce Weber has his way. Over the weekend, K-State extended a scholarship offer to 6’7″ forward Jordan Bell. The California prospect is possibly the best shot blocker in the country, although Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle suggests his offensive game remains a big work in progress. Yet if any fan base would welcome this type of player, it’s certainly Wildcat nation, which has become accustomed to – indeed welcomed with open arms – players more interested in diving out of bounds for loose balls than making silky layups out of isolation play.

Bell, a four-star recruit, creates the same dilemma as most high school stars do for K-State; that is, how do you convince a player from California to eschew the trappings of either coast for a town in Kansas not named Lawrence? Right now K-State is mentioned on a short list alongside Oregon, Clemson, and UConn. UConn has yet to offer a scholarship, which is the best thing Weber has going for him as Connecticut remains Bell’s favorite school. Either way, Bell has expressed a preference for respecting his right to make a decision on his own time, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see whether the 2013 recruiting class can finally land a difference-making big man.