K-State of the Union: Basketball Season Recap Pt.2
Picking up where Wednesday’s post left off, we’ll start with the Oklahoma game and recap the rest of the regular season and postseason. Continue reading to finish the story of the 2010-2011 season.
Vs. Oklahoma Prediction: Win Actual: Win 77-62
After the big win against Kansas I was a little worried about a hangover loss but K-State was getting on a roll. Pullen followed up his career night against the Jayhawks with 27 more points against the Sooners and walked away with Big12 player of the week honors without an honest challenger.
@ Nebraska Prediction: Win Actual: Win 61-57
In their final Big12 contest ever, Kansas State showed Nebraska the door with a boot. The game was uncomfortably close all the way through but it never seemed like K-State had lost its grip. The last minute and a half was a lesson in why a 40 minute game can last 2 ½ hours with an epic showcase of the coaching strategies of Frank and Doc.
Vs. Missouri Prediction: Loss Actual: Win 80-70
Missouri is always a tough game for Kansas State. Both teams play a suffocating style of defense and there is never a shortage of fouls and turnovers. That’s what was expected, and that’s what it was. With 6 minutes remaining the score was tied at 60. Kansas State went on a 20-10 run to finish the game and put away the Tigers for good.
@ Texas Prediction: Loss Actual: Win 75-70
Going into Austin for a game in never easy… unless you are Kansas State. I’m not sure why I thought this game would be any different but I apologize for my doubt. K-State continued to own the burnt orange and in doing so prompted this post to make sure everyone knew it was fact. Pullen was consistent as always and Rodney McGruder stepped up big with 22 points in the win.
Vs. Iowa State Prediction: Win Actual: W 67-55
The final game of the season in Bramlage, on senior night and there was no way Pullen would allow a loss. K-State trailed by 1 point for about 40 seconds but that was it on the way to a season finishing win. Pullen scored 17. Curtis Kelly added 13. Both walked off to a standing ovation. It was a great way to head into the Big12 tournament and capped off an incredible season turnaround.
Final Record Prediction: 20-11 (8-8) Actual: 22-9 (10-6)
Big 12 Tournament
Vs. Colorado Prediction: Win Actual: Loss 87-75
Cu won the first game without much trouble and won the second by 1/10 of a second. K-State was on a tear coming into the tournament so there was no way they would lose to Colorado 3 times in a season but we all know what happened. K-State was flat and Colorado shot 58% on their way to the Big12 quarter finals.
NCAA Tournament
Vs. Utah State Prediction: Win Actual: Win 73-68
Utah State passed the eye test compiling a 30-3 record but they didn’t beat one quality team to get there. Kansas State on the other hand went through one of the toughest schedules possible and that showed when the two played. K-State cruised to the win as Pullen and crew advanced to the round of 32.
Vs. Wisconsin Prediction: Win Actual: Loss 70-65
I didn’t doubt that K-State could win this game and I thought they would. The battle with the Badgers was as good as advertised and included plenty of bruises and blood. Pullen did all he could matching his career high of 38 points but just didn’t have a supporting cast to help him reach the sweet 16. This one is still fresh in the mind but as it gets further away, it’s easier to see that this turned out to be a pretty incredible season for the Wildcats.
In the same post where I made the predictions for the final 12 games, I also said 3 things had to change for K-State to finish strong. First was leadership. Halfway through, this was a total void and my suggestion was that someone, anyone had to step up. None other than Jacob Pullen answered the call. There was no one better for the job. The man who should have done this from the get go, grabbed hold of the team and forced them to become winners. He said he wouldn’t play in the NIT and made good on his promise. That’s just one of the many reasons that Pullen will be revered at Kansas State for years to come. Just imagine what this season might have been without him.
The second area of improvement was the only change that actually took place on the court. Free throw shooting had been a glaring weakness for this team since the season opener. Against the non-conference portion of the schedule it never was a factor in the losses but that would not be the case in Big12 play. By the end of the season, free throws were no longer a concern. The final FT percentage was only 65.5% but through conference play it was way up to 76.8% which would be good for 9th nationally.
The final area that had to improve and did was all the distractions that surrounded K-State basketball. The beginning of the year those distractions came in the form of high rankings and media attention. The there were the suspensions of Pullen and Kelly. Then a couple of players left the program. The last thing on the teams mind was basketball. It was having a huge effect on the psyche of the players and there was nothing that could be done. But instead of allowing those things to kill the entire season which most teams do, the Wildcats pulled it together and got down to playing ball. The switch was amazing and the result was everything that took place in February and March.
The 2010-2011 season was a wild and crazy ride and while the high preseason hopes never were fulfilled, K-State fans can be proud of how it all played out. Two seniors will graduate away from the team and both will be missed. Curtis Kelly has come in and been a solid player. More importantly, he has made it clear to the entire country that Kansas State is a program that takes care of you. Kelly has stated very publicly that K-State saved his life and career, often at time comparing it to the failures of UConn. Jacob Pullen leaves as one of, if not the greatest player to ever play for the Wildcats. Replacing him will be next to impossible. His leadership and passion hopefully have been passed on to the underclassmen that he took charge over. You can be sure that he has helped build the foundation to what should be years of great basketball in Manhattan, Kansas. Thanks go out to both of those guys for making Wildcat Nation a wonderful place to be.
Check back for the next post in the K-State of the Union series which will look at who should be around next year and the players who will be coming in to the program.