Kansas State goes as Marcus Foster goes

Jan 10, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Marcus Foster (2) and Oklahoma Sooners guard Isaiah Cousins (11) fight for a loose ball during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Kansas State defeated Oklahoma 66-63 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

After a 7-7 start to the season, the Kansas State Wildcats are looking like the team they were supposed to be.

The Wildcats have won four out of their last five games, the only loss coming on the road to a ranked Iowa State team.

In the process, they’ve beaten TCU, Oklahoma on the road, Texas Tech and Baylor.

Not shabby for a team that was on the outside looking in for the postseason.

Wins over Oklahoma and Baylor are huge in getting K-State back in the tournament talk.

If three weeks ago you would have told me that Kansas State would be 4-2 and sitting in the upper half of the Big 12 Conference standings, I would have laughed at you.

Blown leads against Texas Southern, Georgia and Oklahoma State, led many to ask questions, what was up.

Those questions are finally being answered.

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Why all of the sudden the surge for the ‘Cats?

Simple. Marcus Foster.

K-State goes as Foster goes.

Even Foster’s teammates understand this.

"“We couldn’t score,” Nino Williams told the Kansas City Star after the Iowa State loss. “I feel like we got good shots. Marcus, the last two weeks, he was hitting those shots. He shot them a little quick, but he has been making those shots. We live and die with Marcus at the end of games. The last two years he has been there, he hit those shots.”"

The struggling 6-foot, 3-inch sophomore was benched and wasn’t playing up to the expectations that were set following a stellar freshman season.

He was held scoreless in the game at Oklahoma State, but since then has scored in double-figures in each game during the winning streak, including 11 against Baylor.

As long as Foster continues to play as he has, I see the Wildcats being in the thick of the Big 12 championship race. And, if he goes back to the way he played at the beginning of the season, it’ll be a long, bumpy ride for the ‘Cats the rest of the way.

K-State has a chance to avenge a loss to Oklahoma State, a game where K-State led much of the first half before a huge run by the Cowboys early in the second half buried the Wildcats.

Every game from here on out is huge, and Kansas State must defend its home court.

Tipoff against the Pokes is set for 11 a.m. Saturday in Manhattan.

Projected staters:

▪ WHEN/WHERE: 11 a.m. Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kan.

▪ TV/RADIO: ESPN2