The K-State Wildcats won their exhibition game against Pittsburg State on Thursday, November 4th. The Wildcats defeated the Gorillas with a score of 78 to 59 at Bramlage Coliseum. K-State’s win got their season going in the right direction. The question is how long will K-state’s winning streak last. Judging from last season, the current roster, and what went right during the Pittsburgh State exhibition game. We can see a roadmap to how K-State will do in the Big 12 this season. Which key players are we going to look out for this season.
K-State Looks to Improve on Last Season
Last season, the Wildcats only won nine games. This win against Pitt State could be the start to a bounce back after two losing seasons. Head Coach Bruce Weber started changes during the offseason, bringing in new training methods that focused on team building. Weber hopes the team aspect will show on the court. Even after struggling for the last two seasons, Weber remains optimistic about the team.
The Wildcats’ top scorers Nijel Pack and Mike Mcguirl are returning. Along with newcomers, freshmen Logan Landers and Max Edwards. They are forming a strong team with cohesion. Last year, the team was one of the youngest in the league, and this season the Wildcats will show how much they have grown on the court.
K-State Returner Looks to Have a Positive Impact
Nijel Pack will be one of the returning players to watch this season. The 20-year-old sophomore from Illinois had a great season last year and received the 2021 Tex Winter’s Top Offensive Player Award and the 2021 Mitch Richmond Mr. Basketball Award.
We welcomed @ryanablack back to the podcast to give us some reasons why it might be OK to be a little optimistic about Kansas State basketball, starting with Nijel Pack and the promise of better shooting. https://t.co/evweA4yKo9
— Bring On The Dudes (@BringOnTheCats) October 24, 2021
K-State Freshman Wants to Prove Himself
Newcomer Logan Landers, a freshman from Cedarburg, Wisconsin, will be someone to watch. He was one of the top high school players in the Midwest, including being named the sixth-best player in Wisconsin, by 247Sports. It will be interesting to see how his skill will translate to college.
Every :33 of 33
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) November 5, 2021
🎥 @LoganLanders12#KStateMBB x EMAW pic.twitter.com/aSK6YrvxVp
K-State Embracing the Underdog Title?
The Wildcats are going to be the underdogs this season. However, they shouldn’t be dismissed. Weber made some big changes to their roster and their training. The win against Pittsburgh state was proof that the changes are working. The K-State men’s basketball team has a lot of potential.
Focus On The Mission #KStateMBB x EMAW pic.twitter.com/KS346l4ar4
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) November 4, 2021
This season, the Wildcats will come in as a seasoned team with something to prove. It is too early to tell if the Wildcats are standing in the Big 12 conference at the end of the season. However, they have a better chance of rising in the rankings. Coach Weber is confident in the team he is building this season and hopes to bring home a few wins.