The storybook regular season for Kansas State closed with an 85-82 overtime loss to Iowa State on an emotional senior night. The loss to the Cyclones marked the first time this season the Wildcats lost back-to-back games. Now they must prepare for post-season play, beginning with a match-up against either Oklahoma or Oklahoma State in the second round of the Big 12 tournament.

This year’s Wildcat team ended the season 24-6 overall and 11-5 in the Big 12. Few envisioned such a record coming into the season, as K-State was ranked No. 39 in the ESPN pre-season poll and predicted to finish 4th in the conference.

Kansas State was one of the biggest surprises in college basketball this season. They were able to remain ranked for the majority of the year thanks in part to their dominating backcourt of senior Denis Clemente and junior Jacob Pullen.

During the season the Wildcats played inspired basketball at home and were outstanding on the road. After losing to Ole Miss in Puerto Rico, the Wildcats reeled off ten straight wins and climbed all the way to No. 10 in the nation. They entered the top 25 after an upset win at then-No. 17 UNLV. In their first game as a ranked team, K-State rolled over Alabama 87-74 on the road.

However, Kansas State slipped up in their conference opener, being upset by the defensive-minded Missouri Tigers on the road.

Thereafter the Wildcats went on another win streak, highlighted by a home victory over then-No. 1 Texas. The loss to K-State signaled a collapse for the previously undefeated Longhorns, who limped to a 6-7 record to finish the season after losing to K-State.

The Wildcats continued to roll throughout the conference season, winning 7 straight games and going undefeated in the month of February. Despite losing their last two conference games to Kansas and Iowa State, the Wildcats were good enough to finish 2nd in the Big 12.

Wildcats head coach Frank Martin was named Big 12 Coach of the Year and Jamar Samuels was named Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. Pullen was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and the Big 12 All-Defensive Team, while Denis Clemente was named to All-Big 12 Second Team.

Freshman Impact

Five freshmen played for the Wildcats this season. Among them, three played key roles in this historic season for the Wildcats.

Rodney McGruder
McGruder is considered by many to be the guard of the future. McGruder joined the Wildcats as a slashing forward. Now he is a sharpshooter who still has the slashing ability necessary to come up with big plays for his team.

Memorable Moments: McGruder scored a field goal over Texas guard Dogus Balbay to put K-State in the driver’s seat of the game. McGruder also scored the tying field goal that sent the game against Kansas in Manhattan to overtime.

Wally Judge
Judge represents a great low-post threat for years to come. While this season may well have been much of a learning experience for Judge, he still was able to show off his great leaping ability and emerging skill-set. Judge brings solid post offense and defense to the table. He was not presented with a ton of minutes this season, but when he was given the opportunity he showed that he could bang with the best low-post forwards in the league.

Memorable Moments: In both games against Kansas, Judge was matched up against future NBA center Cole Aldrich. In the two games combined, Aldrich shot 8-19 from the field.

Martavious Irving
Down the stretch of the season, Irving relieved both Clemente and Pullen in the backcourt and played well. Irving is known for his defensive intensity. At times during the season, Irving and Pullen would trade off on the opposing team’s best player.

Memorable Moments: Head coach Frank Martin proclaimed Irving as the best on-the-ball defender for the Wildcats. Irving’s three assists and two steals helped K-State upset Texas.

WildcatVictory.com’s Team Awards

Our All-Wildcat teams are below, but stop by the forums and voice your opinion. This K-State team achieved many milestones, but these are the players the stood out.

All-Wildcat First Team
Denis Clemente – G
Jacob Pullen – G
Dominique Sutton – F
Jamar Samuels – F
Curtis Kelly – F

All-Wildcat Second Team
Martavious Irving – G
Rodney McGruder – G
Wally Judge – F
Jordan Henriquez-Roberts – F
Luis Colon – C

All-Wildcat Defensive Team
Jacob Pullen – G
Martavious Irving – G
Dominique Sutton – F
Wally Judge – F
Curtis Kelly – F

Newcomer of the Year: Curtis Kelly (11.4 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, and 1.9 blocks per game)

Most Valuable Player: Jacob Pullen (18.9 points per game, 3.6 assists per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, and 1.6 steals per game)