G
Grant Flanders
Guest
- It was the best effort we have seen from this squad since they played Tech the first time in Lubbock. The defense has never looked better. There was a clear message from Weber to his team in practices leading up to the game that there was another gear this team could take it. They needed intensity for all 40 minutes. Coach had them watch film of how Barry Brown and others around him played defense. Obviously Mike McGuirl is the only player on the team that was on that team two years ago. There were a few lapses here and there but for the most part this was the best defense we have seen from the Wildcats this season. The energy level was there, they simply were still outmatched.
- Mac McClung, Kevin McCullar, and Kyler Edwards had big games to push Tech over the edge and hold K-State off. All of them had some huge buckets in the second half.
- It really was a pretty complete game for the Wildcats. Even though they only scored 62 points (I predicted 47) they still torched the nets from deep for really the only game I can think of this season. For the game they shot 45 percent from deep (9 of 20).
- Nijel Pack is a baller. After an amazing game last weekend and then a poor performance versus KU, the freshman came out and hooped. He's such a good shooter and just so smart on offense for a frosh.
- Antonio has had some very, VERY bad games this year. The stats will say he wasn't great today either (besides 9 rebs) but he played with really great effort from start to finish while playing the entirety of the game.
- I think freshman Luke Kasubke is finally coming out of his shell. Wasn't stellar but he hit some shots. Almost had that one triple that was right after the shot clock went off.
- If they could have gotten better production from Davion Bradford and Selton Miguel along with some more consistency from McGuirl it could have been a way different game.
- Fact is there is no moral defeats at this level. However, at least there is a sign that somehow after so many blowout losses this team was able to put in an extra gear and show they still want to fight and try to win games. I thought for sure we would see this team give up and if not give up completely I thought at least get blown out by 20+ points once again. It is ironic they showed their best effort without DaJuan Gordon, who has given the most effort out of anyone else prior to his injury. This game we saw virtually everyone diving on the floor for loose balls and actually giving the best effort to stay in front of some talented Red Raiders on defense.
- I guess this at least gives me hope that there is still even better basketball ahead this season for K-State. Not many games left but they did this without a key piece and once DJG comes back it could push them to new lengths. Still don't see them winning much if at all, but the on court product should at least be a little more fun to watch. We'll see.
- Listen, it is still an awful season and there is no denying that. The furthest depths the program has ever fallen into. Like I've said, to me I still see very little chance to get any wins the rest of the way. BUT, if they can turn this effort into competitive games the rest of the way, at least that is something. That will still be really hard to do. Texas will likely bring K-State right back down to the depths of Mordor on Tuesday. But if they can parlay what they did today into several competitive games down the stretch and then get DJG back in time for the B12 tourney (if not as early as this week) it could get interesting. It probably won't, but it could.
View attachment Bruce from Elite 8 run two years ago.mp4
