The Kansas State Wildcats Host The Baylor Bears On Senior Night
Feb 25, 2014; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Robert Turner (14) tries to block the path of Kansas State Wildcats guard Will Spradling (55) in the second half at United Spirit Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The regular season is coming to a close and the Kansas State Wildcats (20-10, 10-7) welcome the Baylor Bears (20-10, 8-9) to Manhattan for Senior night and the final game for both teams before the conference tournament begins.
In their last matchup Baylor won 87-73 in double-overtime, in which a 19-5 second overtime made the score look like the game was much more lopsided than it was. This time around K-State will be playing at home where they are a significantly stronger side and, even though Baylor is currently playing much better, this should be a tightly fought battle.
Kansas State’s Senior class this year includes Omari Lawrence, Wichita-native Ryan Schultz, and two starters in Shane Southwell and Will Spradling.
Here is all the information you need to catch the game:
Baylor Bears (Big 12 Conference)
Keys to the Game:
1: The Inside: Baylor is big and athletic. They can rebound and block shots extremely well and Isaiah Austin is a machine with over 3 blocks per game. K-State has shown that it can make up for their lack of size over and over this season, and will be hoping to do it once again.Their three point shooting has to consist of smart, high percentage shots and Thomas Gipson, Nino Williams, and others will have to work hard to keep Baylor from dominating the boards especially at the Bears’ offensive end.
Mar 1, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Shane Southwell (1) looks to pass during the Wildcats
2. Brady Heslip: The Wildcats did a great job on Heslip in the first matchup, holding the knockdown shooter to just 1-8 from behind the arc. The one he did make though was at the end of the game to send it to overtime, which had to deflate K-State after playing so well all game. Heslip is one of those thorn-in-your-side players that is solid on defense and always seems to find open spots to hit important three’s, and if he gets hot he can score in bunches and either come back from a deficit or pull away in a hurry. K-State will have to keep him from getting any sort of rhythm.
3. Finish: It’s a familiar scene, unfortunately, to see a K-State player miss shots right at the rim. I don’t know how many games this season would have turned out differently if guys made their short shots, but in this game finishing inside is going to be a must. This is going to be difficult with so many shot blockers in there, but if the Wildcats can draw some fouls and possibly get some and-one situations or get Cory Jefferson and/or Isaiah Austin on the bench it will make their task of beating Baylor much more manageable. Mostly though, if the Wildcats get a chance at the rim they need to convert and get points up on the board.
Where: Bramlage Coliseum
Manhattan, KS
When: 12:30 PM CT
Saturday, March 8th
Television: Big 12 Network
Radio: K-State Sports Network