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Kansas State Basketball: Lots of Work To Do

By Stan Unruh

Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bruce Weber talks to his players during a stoppage in play against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bruce Weber talks to his players during a stoppage in play against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas State basketball team ended their march madness run last Friday night. The Wildcats fell in the opening round of south regional to Dayton.

Bruce Weber’s Wildcats had a roller coaster ride during the 2016-17 basketball season. They have a lot of work to do to match this season’s finish.

Whether you like the head coach or long for a change, I believe Bruce Weber’s Wildcats exceeded expectations this season.

In October, coaches picked the Wildcats to finish 9th in the ten-team Big 12.  They finished 6th.

Kansas State started strong with a 12-1 mark entering conference play. Only a 1 point loss to a tough Maryland team kept them from a perfect record.

Maryland won 24 games this season and the Terps also lost in the opening round of NCAA Tourney play.

As a result of their hot start, the Associated Press recognized Kansas State with 4 votes in the December 12, national poll.

Also, the December 19, AP poll included the ‘Cats- with one vote.

Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bruce Weber talks to his players during a stoppage in play against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bruce Weber talks to his players during a stoppage in play against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The ‘Cats enjoyed big wins. They knocked off a bigger, nationally ranked Baylor team twice. They beat West Virginia- a team headed to the NCAA Sweet 16.

Admittedly, Kansas State also had some very difficult losses. The missed calls in Allen Fieldhouse and at Texas Tech were frustrating.

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The 3-straight losses at Bramlage following by a 30-point thrashing in Norman made February a nightmare.

Give Weber and the team credit. They rallied, finished the regular season strong and won an NCAA tourney game. Their 21 wins were the most since 2012.

Looking toward next season, the Wildcats will need some size to help returning starters Barry Brown, Kamau Stokes and Dean Wade.

Bruce Weber will have a lot of work to do to find a junior college big man or two for next season.

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