The Kansas State Wildcats basketball season has been a roller coaster ride. They can make another huge statement with a win over the Jayhawks on ESPN’s Big Monday game.
The Wildcats ended a 3-game loosing streak on Saturday with an upset win at Baylor. The Jayhawks suffered a rare home loss to Iowa State Saturday.
Why not give the guys in crimson and blue a second straight loss?
It seems like a lifetime since a referee’s missed call in the final seconds cost Kansas State a win in Lawrence.
Bruce Weber’s Wildcats can’t worry about that missed call going into the rematch. They have to take advantage of what the Bramlage crowd do can to help them defeat the Jayhawks.
The crowd can’t do much if the Wildcats don’t do their part on the court. They have to score more than the 19 points in the second half against Baylor.
There are two things they must do to get a win over the birds.
First, D.J. Johnson has to be very active from the opening tip.
He has to take the game to Landon Lucas in an effort to get the Jayhawk redshirt senior in foul trouble.
The birds are thin in the front court and their bigs from the bench are mediocre. Get Lucas in foul trouble and the Kansas could struggle.
Kansas State also needs to score off strong defense. The Wildcats rank among the national leaders in steals 8.5, 17th, and turnovers forced 16.3/23rd.
This won’t be easy against Frank Mason and Devonte Graham but with active hands and commitment to tough defense, it could make a huge impact and keep the purple crowd into the game. The Jayhawks had 18 turnovers at Iowa State and 21 more against the ‘Clones Saturday.
The Wildcats current 8.5 steals per game average is on pace to be the 3rd-best average in school history.
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This tough stretch of 3 games marks just the second time in school history that the Wildcats have played three straight Top 10 foes.
It is the first time since doing it against No. 4 Kansas, No. 9 Baylor and No. 3 Missouri from Feb. 13-21, 2012. They knocked off the Bears Saturday. Why not kill another giant Monday?
The game is set for 8 p.m., and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.