Kansas State wrapped up a brutal stretch of three consecutive games against Top 15 opponents on Saturday. They hope to end a two-game losing skid when they host Iowa State Wednesday.
Bruce Weber’s Wildcats roller coaster season won’t face another ranked team over the final 6 games.
Without a healthy D.J. Johnson on Saturday, Kansas State kept the game close through 20 minutes. West Virginia ran away with the second half.
With a 16-9 record, the ‘Cats can’t afford to lose any more games at Bramlage Coliseum.
The Cyclones are also desperate for wins to wrap up Big 12 play. Both teams need something to impress the NCAA tournament selection committee.
As a result, Kansas State must improve execution on offense.
Getting five players into double figures is fine, but they also had 19 turnovers in Saturday’s loss.
In their January 24 contest, Kansas State played well enough to beat the Cyclones. They only had 12 turnovers, won the battle on the boards 37-33 but couldn’t score. Iowa State held the ‘Cats to 65 points.
Kansas State shot just 34% in the first half and improved slightly to 40% for the game. They did hit 7 of 23 from beyond the arc while the ‘Clones hit 11 three-pointers.
Matt Thomas hit seven of those long-range shots in the January game. He was unconscious.
I don’t expect him to play that way in this one. Whoever is assigned to defend him must get in his face from the opening tip.
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The ‘Cats need to play tough defense and use it to fuel their offense. They turned the ‘Clones over 14 times at the game in Ames.
To win this game, Dean Wade must be also be much more aggressive. He disappeared in Saturday loss to West Virginia. While Wade the bench labored with Johnson out, the must show up big to beat Iowa State.