Frank Martin knew the nation thought highly of his young Kansas State squad. The Wildcats (8-1) learned very quickly that their non-conference schedule would be one of the tougher schedules they’ve seen this decade and that they would be thoroughly tested.
However, despite the media attention brought to Manhattan, Kansas, many were not ready to place Kansas State into the elite category, especially after they lost Denis Clemente, their lead guard from last year, to graduation. After the Wildcats were thumped handily by the Duke Blue Devils, 82-68, many began to question Frank Martin’s team.
There is a recurring theme in Martin’s quotations about his team, and it is with regard to the lack of leadership. The Wildcats have already soundly beaten Virginia Tech and Gonzaga, but such wins are not enough. At times this year, the Wildcats have looked slow, almost asleep at the wheel, against what should be a very under-matched opponent.
Kansas State moved to their eighth win on the season after defeating Alcorn State at home 89-55. However, despite the 34-point victory, head coach Frank Martin continued to be vocal about the immaturity of the 5th-ranked Wildcats in his post-game interview.
During a halftime interview, Martin said “nothing changed, we’re still an immature basketball team.” He was also very vocal about their inability to get the ball in the post, as well as the bigs’ inability to post up and receive the pass. When asked what he would tell the team at halftime, Martin replied “We are an embarrassment to the game of basketball right now.”
This has been an consistent theme for coach Martin. Dating back to the Texas Southern game where the Wildcats defeated the Tigers 84-60, coach Martin was disappointed in his team’s performance, saying “we have guys who think that they are playing in a recreation center league,” referring to his team’s inability to run their offense.
The Wildcats are notorious for bailing on the offense for a one-on-one matchup. That is what frustrated Martin most in the Wildcats’ games against Emporia State, Presbyterian, Texas Southern, Washington State and Alcorn State.
“Guys are not excited about playing,” exclaimed Martin after K-State’s win over Alcorn State. “Right now I feel like we are in neutral. It almost cost us a game a couple of nights ago, because of that same energy level in someone else’s building, and all of the sudden we just go into a funk.”
Nine games in the season, the Wildcats have yet to show poise and maturity on offense. Kansas State currently averages 16 turnovers per game. Even worse, they are statistically the worst free-throw shooting team in the nation, averaging a dismal 53% from the line.
Despite a few bright spots in senior Jacob Pullen‘s game, coach Martin is not pleased with the way his backcourt is playing. “I am not happy with what we are getting from our twos so I figured it was time to try someone else,” said Martin. “I am not very happy now with our wing play, with the exception of Rodney McGruder.”
The most consistent athletes for Kansas State have been Jamar Samuels and McGruder. McGruder has been hot from deep, nailing 10-of-17 (58%) three-pointers in the last three games. McGruder has also pulled down an average of 6.6 rebounds per game this season.
He is consistently always around the rim, making the garbage plays, as well as impressing Martin in the early stages of his career.
Samuels, the reigning Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year, could be in contention this season as well. Samuels averages 10.1 points per game and pulls down a team-high 7.7 boards per game. “He has really zoned in,” coach Martin said. “What makes Jamar a really good player is when he plays with unbelievable energy.”
Kansas State has been anything but impressive early. The Wildcats will get a great chance to mature more on the road against the Loyola (IL) Ramblers (7-2) before traveling to Gainesville, FL to take on the No. 24 Florida Gators (6-2).
