Sunflower Showdown

We’re two days away from a game that will always be big no matter when it’s played, where it’s played, or what the records are. It’s a rivalry full of hatred and bragging rights. In one corner you have the storied program that is too full of itself to even entertain the thought of losing to the in-state rival. In the other, a program that has made huge strides everywhere but in the win column against them. This game decides a lot more than conference standing. It’s about who gets to go to work happy next Monday, who gets to rub it in, and who can wear their team shirt around town next week. Continue reading to see just how K-State can keep the Sunflower Showdown from becoming the Sunflower Beatdown.

Crowd Control.

The game is being played in the Phog which is never a good place to go when you want to come away with a win. It’s going to be loud and crazy and that has to be quieted as early as possible. I actually think KU going down to Texas last week is going to turn out beneficial for K-State. With a huge home winning streak like KU had there is already the stressed importance of keeping it going. That would have been even more stressed if the streak was still intact with the in state rival coming. Instead, the streak has to start all over and nobody cares when you are going for 2 in a row. That might be a start to taking away some excitement. To keep it going, K-State needs to get off to a fast start. Ideally that would include grabbing the lead but I don’t think that is as important as just keeping the game close. If Kansas pops a few big shots and gets out in front by 7+ points, it could be serious trouble.

Work the Head

At some point in the game, K-State has to get into the heads of the Kansas players. Whether it’s by going on a run, playing hard nose defense, or being physical and knocking the Jayhawks around, something has to make them start losing focus. IIn their game against CU, the Kansas players were getting visibly worked up. CU was trading punches back and forth and KU just couldn’t shake them. By the end of the game, one of the Morris bros was pitching a fit about everything. If K-State can get the same reactions early, hopefully it will be disruptive enough to throw some kinks in the KU offense and defense.

Lady Luck

Not everything can be in the hand of a team playing a powerhouse like KU. Any team with great athletes that comes out on fire it just not going to be beat. For Kansas State to steal a win, the bounces need to go their way most of the night. I know K-State has the athletic ability to keep up, but if things start going badly I don’t see anyone being able to grab hold of the team and get them back in it. (That leadership thing Frank keeps talking about is huge.) If KU comes out cold and flat, commits some stupid early fouls, or has a bunch of unforced turnovers we’ll be singing Wildcat Victory late into the night!