closk3Duke
April 13th, 2008, 08:49 PM
We Are K-State: A Kansas State Wildcats Legacy
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Team Preview
Over the past decade, the Kansas State men's basketball program has been looking for its way. The program looked like it was finally headed in the right direction when Bob Huggins came in and led the team to 23 wins in his first season as head coach. However, after only one season in Manhattan, Huggins bolted for his alma-mater West Virginia, leaving the Wildcats without a head coach. The spot was filled by Frank Martin, who was an assistant under Huggins last season.
Although his tenure was short lived, "Huggie Bear" certainly made an impact on the program. In just one season, he was able to land the greatest recruiting class in the program's history, headed by the #1 overall prospect, Michael Beasley from Washington D.C. Beasley. Beasley, as well as 5 other freshman, join a team that was a win or two away from making the NCAA Tournament last season.
However, the team is missing several key pieces from last season. Last year's team had 5 seniors, including Cartier Martin who led the team in scoring. 7'3" center Jason Bennett is leaving the school. To top it all off, David Hoskins, who averaged 14.5 PPG and 5.9 RPG as a junior last season, will miss the entire season with a knee injury. The NCAA has granted him another year of eligibility, so he will be in Manhattan next season.
Speaking of eligibility being granted, K-State can add another freshman to its roster. Bill Walker, who was a highly touted recruit for the Wildcats' 2006 class, missed all but 7 games last season due to an ACL injury. He was granted an extra year by the NCAA, meaning he is still a freshman. Walker is expected to do big things in his first full season for K-State.
The biggest question for this young team is the Point Guard position. That position is currently held by Clent Stewart, a senior from Tulsa, Oklahoma who averaged 6.5 PPG and 2.9 APG last season. While the primary scoring for the Wildcats comes from the forwards, the team can only go as far as guards Stewart and Blake Young are able to take them.
Projection: 20-9 (9-7), NCAA Tournament
Depth Chart
PG - Clent Stewart
SG - Blake Young
SF - Dominique Sutton
PF - Bill Walker
C - Michael Beasley
6 - Jacob Pullen
7 - Andre Gilbert
8 - Darren Kent
9 - Ron Anderson
10 - Fred Brown
11 - Chris Merriewether
12 - Luis Colon
Res. - David Hoskins (Out For Season - Knee Injury)
Res. - Denis Clemente (Out For Season - Transfer)
http://mmii.info/icons/Scaught/schools_kansasState.gif
Team Preview
Over the past decade, the Kansas State men's basketball program has been looking for its way. The program looked like it was finally headed in the right direction when Bob Huggins came in and led the team to 23 wins in his first season as head coach. However, after only one season in Manhattan, Huggins bolted for his alma-mater West Virginia, leaving the Wildcats without a head coach. The spot was filled by Frank Martin, who was an assistant under Huggins last season.
Although his tenure was short lived, "Huggie Bear" certainly made an impact on the program. In just one season, he was able to land the greatest recruiting class in the program's history, headed by the #1 overall prospect, Michael Beasley from Washington D.C. Beasley. Beasley, as well as 5 other freshman, join a team that was a win or two away from making the NCAA Tournament last season.
However, the team is missing several key pieces from last season. Last year's team had 5 seniors, including Cartier Martin who led the team in scoring. 7'3" center Jason Bennett is leaving the school. To top it all off, David Hoskins, who averaged 14.5 PPG and 5.9 RPG as a junior last season, will miss the entire season with a knee injury. The NCAA has granted him another year of eligibility, so he will be in Manhattan next season.
Speaking of eligibility being granted, K-State can add another freshman to its roster. Bill Walker, who was a highly touted recruit for the Wildcats' 2006 class, missed all but 7 games last season due to an ACL injury. He was granted an extra year by the NCAA, meaning he is still a freshman. Walker is expected to do big things in his first full season for K-State.
The biggest question for this young team is the Point Guard position. That position is currently held by Clent Stewart, a senior from Tulsa, Oklahoma who averaged 6.5 PPG and 2.9 APG last season. While the primary scoring for the Wildcats comes from the forwards, the team can only go as far as guards Stewart and Blake Young are able to take them.
Projection: 20-9 (9-7), NCAA Tournament
Depth Chart
PG - Clent Stewart
SG - Blake Young
SF - Dominique Sutton
PF - Bill Walker
C - Michael Beasley
6 - Jacob Pullen
7 - Andre Gilbert
8 - Darren Kent
9 - Ron Anderson
10 - Fred Brown
11 - Chris Merriewether
12 - Luis Colon
Res. - David Hoskins (Out For Season - Knee Injury)
Res. - Denis Clemente (Out For Season - Transfer)