Kansas State 3/5 7:00 ESPN+

[swilsonsp4]

As the season winds down and the Cats are trying to make up for January, next up are the K-State Wildcats, who plodded through a ho-hum home affair with CO this afternoon. They built up an early double-digit lead, then settled for a 65-56 win over the Buffaloes, who lost their best player during the game, Jullian Hammond, to a lower back injury.

KSU are pretty much dead with regard to the bubble, having lost four straight before today. They still have some good players, notably David N'Guessan and Dug McDaniel. Their top transfer, Coleman Hawkins, has missed multiple games with a knee problem. Jerome Tang said last week that he's not going to do anything to damage Hawkins' future.

The Cats are in a desperate situation (not dead, as some aver) that requires winning both games to finish the regular season, then advance as far as possible in KC. If they bring the energy they exhibited in Houston, the Bearcats should prevail. I'll be there. Let's fill the arena.

[longtimefan]

Who walks on Senior Night? For sure Aziz, Simas, CJ Frederick, but I’m not sure about Connor Hickman. Will Day Day walk, or will he get an extra year after the Juco rule change? As always, be there early and loud, to support our guys for their last home game. I’ll be screaming my head off.

[swilsonsp4]

Who walks on Senior Night? For sure Aziz, Simas, CJ Frederick, but I’m not sure about Connor Hickman. Will Day Day walk, or will he get an extra year after the Juco rule change? As always, be there early and loud, to support our guys for their last home game. I’ll be screaming my head off.

While CWM didn't address Senior Night specifically on his radio show last Thursday, he did say that they are trying to see if the NCAA will grant an exception to their medical red shirt limits to Hickman. Hickman's minutes played this season were about 30 over the stated limit. CWM also said the staff expect the five-years-to-play-five-seasons rule to go through, which would allow for Day Day to return. I don't recall that he mentioned anyone else.

It will be interesting to see which players come out to receive their plaques. CWM has said in the past that only players guaranteed to end their college careers will walk. I'll be there in plenty time to help send them off. UC sent out an e-mail this evening that says the ceremonies will begin at 6:30 PM, well before the 7:00 tip.

[zykarious]

While CWM didn't address Senior Night specifically on his radio show last Thursday, he did say that they are trying to see if the NCAA will grant an exception to their medical red shirt limits to Hickman. Hickman's minutes played this season were about 30 over the stated limit. CWM also said the staff expect the five-years-to-play-five-seasons rule to go through, which would allow for Day Day to return. I don't recall that he mentioned anyone else.

It will be interesting to see which players come out to receive their plaques. CWM has said in the past that only players guaranteed to end their college careers will walk. I'll be there in plenty time to help send them off. UC sent out an e-mail this evening that says the ceremonies will begin at 6:30 PM, well before the 7:00 tip.

Hasn't there also been some rumor that Aziz may get an extra year due to losing (nearly) half of the last season after the NCAA at first ruled him and some other transfers ineligible?

[GoBearcats31]

Monday metrics:
NET -- UC 40, K State 82
Ken Pom -- UC 50, K State 66

This would be a Quad 3 win, so while it is unlikely to move the needle much, obviously a win keeps UC afloat as some other bubble teams will play themselves out of the picture.

[swilsonsp4]

Hasn't there also been some rumor that Aziz may get an extra year due to losing (nearly) half of the last season after the NCAA at first ruled him and some other transfers ineligible?

While I've heard that was at least a possibility, I haven't seen anything definitive.

[leeraymond]

What UC players should move on (to give opportunities to new players) and what players should stay (because they can help UC win)?

[GoBearcats31]

@KellisRobinett
Jerome Tang says Coleman Hawkins is improving and rehabbing 24/7 to try and get back on the floor this season. "I don't know when he will be back, but he is working hard to be back."

[swilsonsp4]

@KellisRobinett
Jerome Tang says Coleman Hawkins is improving and rehabbing 24/7 to try and get back on the floor this season. "I don't know when he will be back, but he is working hard to be back."

I saw Tang's postgame comments in which he stated the above. He also reiterated that, while he'd like to have Hawkins back, he's not going to put Hawkins' future in jeopardy.

A K-State podcaster said that Hawkins' knee problem is chronic and doubts that he'll play Wednesday night.

[sedz]

Hawkins has been their best player in conference per BPM. Top defender and often used as a point forward. Big loss.

[Carthage World]

6'6 wing Mobi Ikegwuruka, who had been averaging 13 min/game off the bench over his last 7 games, missed the Colorado game with an injury. Tang said in his post-game presser that the injury wasn't "season-ending" but that the player was still figuring out to what degree he could play through it.

[GoBearcats31]

@Knickoson42: Wes Miller says Day Day Thomas and Connor Hickman will not walk on senior night, "the hope" is they are back at Fifth Third next season. "I think they both want to be here. But, we won't get into semantics." Thomas gained another year with the Diego Pavia ruling and Connor Hickman is working through a medical hardship waiver.

[swilsonsp4]

Per Chad Brendel, both CJ's, Simas & Aziz are walking.

[red_n_black_attack]

The Bearcats will be celebrating CJ Fredrck, CJ Anthony, Aziz Bandaogo, and Simas Lukosius on senior night, per Cincinnati Men's Basketball FB page. I'm fairly excited to get DayDay for another season, and hope Connor gets his medical hardship waiver.

[GoBearcats31]

Fans attending should wear RED