K-State @ KU Pregame
First let’s start off by wishing the state of Kansas a happy 150th! Today is the sesquicentennial of the Sunflower State and for its birthday I hope that Kansas State delivers a big W. I grew up in Kansas and lived there until I was halfway through college. Now I live in the Los Angeles area where you can’t see the stars, people don’t wave, and they just aren’t real sports fans. Trust me. Sporting events here are like giant night clubs. People show up well after the beginning of the game and leave before it’s over. I would bet a quarter of those in attendance couldn’t even tell you the final score of what they’ve just seen. Anyways, Kansas will always be home for me and those of you who still live there, just know how good it is.
On to the game! We have arrived at Sunflower Showdown #1. It’s amazing how playing a hated rival can make you forget all about the disappointments of the season for a couple hours. If Kansas State can beat KU this evening, a lot of things that have taken place so far will be smoothed over. If the game ends up with KU winning big, those things will be magnified. I have high hopes for what could be tonight. Continue reading for the keys to the game.
I’ve already talked about the more general keys of getting a quick start, getting into the KU player’s heads, and the aspect of luck in an earlier post. These keys are about individuals and what they need to do tonight. To beat a top team, everything needs to be clicking. To beat a top team who also happens to be your rival, it just about has to go perfect. That puts a ton of pressure on our players and here is what each one needs to do.
Pullen: The Beard needs to continue doing what he has been all season. He is by far the most consistent of all the Wildcats and that cannot disappear in this battle. He’s averaging 18 points per game and it will be needed. I would love to see a 25-30 point performance but he at least needs to reach his average. One thing he can’t do is get rushed and try to do too much. Pullen is best when the game flows to him, not through him. Anytime he tries to put it all on his shoulders, we see the skillets come out and balls start flying all over. He’s got to work the screens, stay in the offense, and take the shots that are open and good looks.
Kelly: This guy has got to shut up and just play. This is not a game where whining and stupid looks over at the bench are going to be worth a dang thing. If Kelly plays the game like a victim, he’s going to get trashed. If he mans up and plays like the guy we saw in the tournament last year he’ll be fine. I hope he realizes that besides this being a rivalry game, this is a showcase for him personally. A big game against Kansas could bring some good attention to a guy who is going to be looking for a career at the next level. That should be some motivation for him. CK need to be big in the paint and get somewhere around 12 points and 8 boards.
Jam Sam: One of the most frustrating things about this season is the inability to have both Samuels and Kelly clicking on the same night. Tonight, that can’t be the case. Besides getting at least his average of 10 points per game, Samuels has got to be the emotional leader and bring the intensity that will flow through the team. He has got to get the Dobermans going!
Spradling: I would kill to see this guy go freaking insane and drain some giant baskets on the heads of the Jayhawks. A native Kansas kid putting dagger after dagger in the heart of KU for the Wildcats would be like winning the lottery. That’s best case scenario. All I’m really looking for however is smart play. Spradling has done a great job of this all season so just keep it going. One thing he can’t do is make some of those weak passes we’ve seen. Spradling has been way more than anyone expected and all we need out of him in this game is smart decisions and ball movement.
McGruder: This is the guy I want to see step up tonight and take over the general leadership of the team. If JamSam gets the intensity going and McGruder keeps the team’s head on, things will be alright. Like Spradling, McGruder is one of those guys I am so glad we have and look forward to seeing play in the next years. This could be a game that continues his growth as “the man” which I think he is going to be next year and as a senior. I feel like he is going to get his 11 points and 7 rebounds so now it’s time to grab a hold of the intangibles.
JHR: I want this 7 foot 245 lb sophomore to play like he’s 2 years older and 50 lbs heavier. We need to see Missouri game JHR come alive again. For K-State to take this game one of our bench players has got to come up big and I think JHR is where it could be. KU has one guy the same height who doesn’t see much time and then every other player is at least 2 inches shorter than JHR. He’s going to have to fight in the paint against the tattoo twins but I think he can pull it out.
The Bench: Each player is going to have to play mistake free. That’s it. Simple, right? The adrenaline will be pulsing but guys coming into the game have to take a breath and go make it happen. I know they can’t be absolutely mistake free but each guy has to play with their head and understand that a turnover or two could be what decides this game. I’m sure Frank martin has been all over this since Tuesday so no it time to go do work! EMAW!
Prediction:
Head: K-State 68 KU 78
Heart: K-State 74 KU 71
(Yep I took two. But I’ll say unfortunately I think my head is right.)