Kansas State Basketball: Nightmare in Norman

Kansas State Basketball had one of their worst games of the season. They were soundly beaten by Oklahoma 81-51

Entering Saturday evening’s game the Wildcats were fighting for an NCAA tournament bid. I believed it might be the perfect time to take a trip to face struggling Oklahoma. I was wrong.

Bruce Weber’s Wildcats have been on a roller coaster ride throughout the season. The roller coaster is flying down the track and crashed in the first half Saturday night.

Not much went right for the Wildcats in that first half. The offense was almost as bad as the second half against Baylor. In that game, the Bears held the ‘Cats to 19 but Kansas State held on to win.

The 20 point first half for Bruce Weber’s team was difficult to watch.

Oklahoma didn’t shoot much better but led Kansas State in every offensive category and on the scoreboard by 13.

Feb 25, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Jordan Shepherd (13) fouls Kansas State Wildcats guard Carlbe Ervin II (1) during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

I was especially disappointed in how the Wildcats were beaten on the boards. OU had ten more rebounds at halftime. Wesley Iwundu did have a few first half rebounds and 8 for the game but it didn’t help much. The senior scored 21 on Wednesday and only 6 points against the Sooners on Saturday.

Kansas State needed Dean Wade to be aggressive. He was 1-4 shooting, scored 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in just 24 minutes of action. Didn’t he score 20 against the Jayhawks a few days ago?

When Isaiah Maurice and Austin Budke standout, you know there is trouble.

Maurice was the only Kansas State player in double figures. He scored 11 points. Austin Budke had the team’s only blocked shot in his 4 minutes of action.

More from Jug of Snyder

Obviously D.J. Johnson is injured. All teams have injuries and have to find a way. Oklahoma has had injuries too. Jordan Woodard’s knee injury ended his season but the Sooners didn’t give up.

D.J. did his best to get 9 points and 8 rebounds in 25-minutes. The rest of the team didn’t do much to help him.

In the January 7 game against Oklahoma, the Wildcats got off to a fast start and won. Saturday’s 30-point loss was embarrassing.

As a result, Bruce Weber need to make something positive happen in the season’s final 2 regular season games or significant change will be necessary.

Home/Kansas State Wildcats