Kansas State has been waiting all season for a chance at the top-ranked Texas Longhorns.
After coming off a win against Colorado, the Wildcats look to up their Big 12 record to 3-1. Kansas State’s identity this year has been their ability to make three-pointers, push the basketball, and create offense off of defense. The Longhorns and Wildcats frontcourt are equally sized and both utilize their offensive rebounding ability as well as make smart defensive plays. This sets up Texas up as the most difficult opponent Kansas State has faced this season.
This season the Wildcats are currently 13-0 when they score at the least 80 points on offense. This stat is important because Texas scoring defense has allowed 236 total points through the first 3 Big 12 games. That’s an average of 78.6 points per game, which is 14 points more than they average over the course of the season.
Kansas State currently averages 81 points per game in Big 12 play. The Wildcats number one goal is to push the ball, but late in games they need to have more patience. In many of their close games the Wildcats have allowed teams to hang around and possibly win the game when it could have been put away if the Wildcats would have just slowed down the pace and taken care of the basketball. However in Big 12 play there are a few key Wildcat statistics that jump out.
Free-throw percentages are horrible for the Wildcats. They have not been able to convert on the free-throw line. They come into the game against Texas with more free-throw attempts than any other team in the country. This is a true testament for the Wildcats’ toughness and ability to get to the line. However, the Wildcats are not making the free-throw attempts count. Overall on the season, the Wildcats have made just __ of their ___ attempts from the free-throw line. In their first three Big 12 games, the Wildcats have connected on 82 of 115 free-throws, for 72%.
The Longhorns’ last game (at home, against Texas A&M) went down the final minute in overtime. The game could have gone either way but Texas held the edge because the Aggies shot just 13 of 23 from the free-throw line. If Kansas State can get to the line and convert, they’ve set themselves up for an upset of Texas.
Kansas State’s 3-point FG percentage defense has been extraordinary. They have been closing out on the shooter and not letting anyone get an easy look at the basket. Missouri, Texas A&M and Colorado combined for 12 of 45 from deep or a mere 27 percent. Texas has made 17 of 30 of their three point attempts, so shutting down the perimeter is a must for the Wildcats.
Kansas State has accumulated 21 steals during their three Big 12 games. The Wildcats love to pressure the basketball, and rotation of defense is a task they must achieve. All of the Wildcats have good hands. They will need to use their pressure defense to knock off the timing of the high-powered Texas offense.
Damion James is arguably the best player on the Texas team and one of the top players in the Big 12. James can get it done on both sides of the court. He is a high-energy player that will always do his best to keep Texas in the game. With his senior leadership the Wildcats need to keep the ball out of his hands and force the other players to contribute. Containing James is a must. If James cannot be contained, the Wildcats may end up in a shoot-out that they cannot win against No. 1 Texas.
One good statistic for K-State is that Texas is the worst free-throw shooting team in the Big 12. In their last game against Texas A&M, they barely escaped because they couldn’t stop the Aggies on offense or knock down their free-throws. The Wildcats commit a lot of fouls. If they can make Texas earn their points from the free-throw line late in the game instead of yielding layups and easy transition baskets, the Wildcats could quite possibly upset the number one team in the nation.
Kansas State’s formula for the upset: Play with enthusiasm on both ends of the court, but don’t overplay. Stay active on defense, limit turnovers, confuse their defense, attack the glass, force turnovers, contest shots, and control tempo. Don’t let Texas get into their offensive rhythm or it could be a long night with a lot of points scored.
Kansas State has all of the intangibles to pull out the upset at home in front of a national audience on ESPN’s Big Monday. Look for Kansas State to feed off their home crowd in hopes for a victory over No. 1 Texas.
