Kansas State Wildcats Host Streaking Texas Longhorns
Kansas State Wildcats mascot Willie Wildcat Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas State Wildcats (15-7, 5-4) host an extremely dangerous Texas Longhorns (18-4, 7-2) team that’s looking to win its 8th game in a row. After dropping their first two games in conference play the Longhorns have stormed back with impressive wins over Iowa State, then-ranked Kansas State, and a demolition of Kansas.
They’ve also beaten Baylor but, let’s face it, that isn’t a big resume builder anymore.
Meanwhile, Kansas State is in a skid after starting out conference play looking like a contender to defend their Big XII title from last year. The Kansas State Wildcats’ have lost three of their last four games, and have not looked very good in doing so.
They are going to need to change direction quickly or will have an extremely tough time making the NCAA Tournament this season. Last time these two teams faced each other Texas won on a buzzer beater three-pointer from an unlikely Jonathan Holmes.
Here is all the information you need to catch the game:
Who: Texas Longhorns (Big 12 Conference)
Keys to the Game:
Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
1: Post Play: In my preview for the Texas game earlier this year, I said to key on Jonathan Holmes and it would go a long way in keeping the Longhorns in check. Well, the Wildcats did that. Holmes ended up with 8 points on the night, but they weren’t able to keep him off the boards and he ended up with 10 of them (twice as many as any Wildcat had). Texas has really been helped by the emergence of Cameron Ridley to help Holmes on the inside. With the two of them, it’s difficult to key on either one and there’s no break for the posts on the inside. K-State has got to do a better job of rebounding the ball, especially on the offensive end since they need those second-chance points in order to make up for their low shooting percentage.
2. Texas Guards: I don’t want to toot my own horn here, but I said Javan Felix can put up points and he went out and scored 23 and was Texas’ leading scorer against the Wildcats last time out. Texas beat TCU on Tuesday despite not having Felix, but he’ll be back against K-State. Isaiah Taylor has been on a tear recently, putting up more than 20 points in two of the last three games. Last time out, the Wildcats kept Taylor off of the free-throw line and held him to just 4 points, and will have to do the same again. This will most likely be put on a single defender, as Texas has so many weapons that double-teaming anyone will be difficult.
3. Home Court Advantage: The Bramlage crowd has got to be a factor in this game. Kansas State has not done well when away from home this season, which is probably in part because of their youth but also because seniors Will Spradling and Shane Southwell just have not stepped up like they should be doing as the elder statesmen on the squad. Everyone at the game in Manhattan will need to push the Wildcats along and keep their energy and focus high, especially when the Longhorns start making a run, and they will at some point. Bramlage can be an extremely difficult place for teams to come into and play, and can definitely affect the outcome of games and they’ll need it to be worth some points in this game if K-State wants to start turning around their season.
Where: Bramlage Coliseum
Manhattan, KS
When: 12:30 PM CT
Saturday, February 8th
Television: Big XII Network
Radio: K-State Sports Network