K-State Basketball: Three things to watch for against UMKC

Although the Wildcats won their first game of the season handily on the scoreboard, it wasn’t because Kansas State took care of the ball well.

One of the Roos’ keys to victory not only on Tuesday night, but throughout this season, will be using full-court pressure to create turnovers. The Wildcats’ first performance of the season at home against American suggests that is a terrific game plan to defeat them.

Kansas State turned the ball over 17 times against American, leading to 11 Patriots points. Obviously UMKC would have to do a better job of converting those turnovers into points, and the Wildcats are to be credited for their ability to limit that damage.

The Roos showed some promise in this department in the second half of the game against the Shockers last Friday. In those 20 minutes, UMKC forced 10 Wichita State turnovers and finished the game actually outscoring the Shockers in points off turnovers 18-17.

While Kansas State looked stout defensively against American, if UMKC can execute its press and force several turnovers that will test that Wildcat defense and eventually wear it down. The final aspect that fans should pay attention to in this game has to do with how the Roos will account for Dean on the offensive end.