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As a vapid KU fan, I have a difficult time wrapping my head around the fact the K-state ranked higher in the AP Pre-season rankings. They show KU at No. 7 in the poll, and K-State at No. 3. I have to disagree. And here are my reasons why.
Three reasons why K-State is not a top 3 team
1. Jacob Pullen: If we learned anything from last year’s NCAA tournament, its that a single point guard can not carry a team. Thank you Sherron Collins/ Northern Iowa. Even John Wall couldn’t single handily lead Kentucky to a final four appearance. Yes. Jacob Pullen is talented, scruffy and energetic guard that has the wow-factor. He’s a deadly three point shooter and can create off the dribble at times, but the reason why he had so much success last year was his counterpart and graduating senior Denis Clemente. Clemente could create off the dribble, get into the lane, and dish to a wide open Pullen who would knock down from the corner. But he Wildcats don’t have a creator in sophomore Martavious Irving or any other guard they have. Pullen has poor shot selection and though he is one of the top three guards in the country, he can’t carry a team by himself.
2. Experience: The Wildcats have two seniors this year: Pullen and Curtis Kelley. That’s it. Last year they had a solid team that had seniors and leaders up and down the floor. This year, they are going to have to rely on young talent. Sophomore Wally Judge will have to step up big, which I think he has every opportunity to and expect him to, but I don’t see this team as a solid one. I feel like they are loose in the point, and shaky down low and don’t have a solid center. If Pullen is out of the lineup or having off night, who is going to step in his place? Will Spradling? The freshman from Shawnee Mission South? I don’t see this team being able to function and have leadership on the floor when things start going downhill.
3. Schedule: Taken into consideration how strong the Big 12 looks this year, the North especially, any Big 12 schedule would be tough. But K-State has a difficult non-conference schedule that will really tell us if this team is a championship contender or not. K-State has season opener against James Madison, who is a frequent tournament at large bid, and three top 25 teams in the first month of play: No. 23 Virginia Tech, No. 12 Gonzaga and No. 11 Florida. I’d be surprised and impressed if the Wildcats can win all four of those games. I can see them winning one or two, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Prediction: I see good things in the K-state program. This will be a good year for K-state. Finises in the top 17 for year, gets a #3 or #4 seed in the tournament. Finishes second in the Big 12. Frank Martin possibly Big 12 Coach of the Year.
Kansas State: 25-6
Sweet 16 Apperance
Jabob Pullen: All Big-12 First team
Curtis Kelly: All Big-12 Second team
Three Reasons why KU is a top 3 team
1. The Morris Twins: Remember these two oafs freshman year? You know, the ones that jogged down the court like they’d rather be playing xbox and eating Cheetos? Yeah, apparently they got bored with their xbox and decided to play some basketball and I’m quite glad they did, because to be perfectly honest, I can’t remember the last time in KU basketball I’ve seen such an inside- out force. Maybe Paul Pierce. Marcus and Markieff Morris, 6-8/ 6-9, developed a three point shot this summer that is going to drive teams absolutely insane this season. It’s going to be hard to replace the scoring hole that Xavier Henry, Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich left, but I think the Morris twins can definitely do some damage.
2. Guards: Some KU fans were worried about the point guard position when Sherron graduated. He was the point guard and ran the offense for four years, and some panicked and didn’t think we’d be able to replace him. Though no one can replace Sherrons swagger and leadership, I firmly believe Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson and Josh Selby will be more than enough to replace Sherron. Taylor, who can get the basket with almost no effort, has been able to finish at the rim more as of recent, and with Johnson’s handles and Selby’s play making ability and shooting, KU will be more than set in the PG, SG, and SF positions. I think this will be Kansas’ strong point this year. They have four guards that the opposing team will have to keep a tab on at all times, and which will be hard to do.
3. Coaching: I remember Roy Williams. I remember how he lied to KU fans and went to North Carolina. But most of all I remember how he ran his offense. He’d run the ball in transition until the opposing team pulled the white flag. Welcome in Bill Self to KU and he took a step in the opposite direction, leading his offense in a more set and not as fast pace. Bring a mix of both into the picture and you have the KU Jayhawks this year. With a smaller lineup this year, KU is going to look to run more, and drill teams into the ground. Which I can see working. Very, very well.
Prediction: Solid year for the Jayhawks. Tenacious defence leads them, along with Selby and Morris. Finish in the top six. #2 seed in the tournament. Win Big 12 for seventh year in a row.
Kansas: 27-4
Elite 8 appearance
Marcus Morris: All-American
Josh Selby: All Big 12 Freshman of the Year
Overall the state of Kansas should be proud of both teams and I’m legitimately glad that both KU and K-state have premiere programs. I think its good for college basketball and for the state. Mark your calenders, January 29th and February 14th are dates to remember, when KU and K-state battle it out. Welcome back to college basketball everyone.
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