This Kansas State team has some very good players. The two forwards come to mind, N'Guessan and Hawkins. It would NOT surprise me if the NBA comes calling for Hawkins. K-State also has some decent season stats after 11 games. They score about 78 points a game and give up 71 points a game. It currently shoots 46% and teams shoot about 43% against it. K-State also hits about 9 three-point shots a game and only gives up 7 threes a game. A team can win with those numbers.
As was mentioned by Lobot, there are some locker room issues with K-State that are probably affecting the play on the court. Nevertheless, UC should be careful with this team and NOT assume it is NOT a decent team because of its record (6-5). It is a team that has two quality big men that both can shoot the three, it has a 6'4" sharp-shooting guard (Brendan Hausen) that scores in double figures 13.9 / g.), and two more guards that account for about 18 to 19 combined points a game. This team scores about as many points a game as UC does.
Another thing about K-State that makes them dangerous, they are somewhat old (3 seniors and 3 juniors play the most minutes per game).
I personally think that the VU game was the game that changed the intensity of UC's defense. I think that the VU loss toughened UC up. The defense over the last two games has been good and physical; holding both Xavier and Dayton to a combined shooting average of about 38%. That is some pretty good defense against two good scoring teams.
It is often said by basketball experts that "defense travels". I hope so because this game is on the road in a very rowdy place. Regardless of the venue, this is a game that UC should win. Let's hope that UC's defense and a WINNING MIND SET ALSO travels. Let's hope that the UC team that went home for Christmas is the SAME or A BETTER team that comes back after Christmas.
Happy Holidays.
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