Kansas State opened the 2010-11 season with a 75-61 victory over a pesky James Madison University team on Friday night. Curtis Kelly was inactive for game at the decision of head coach Frank Martin and it certainly showed as the Wildcat forwards were able to only muster up a combined ten points. Jacob Pullen paced the Wildcats with 20 points and five assists.
Off-guard Nick Russell played a terrific game for the Wildcats. Russell provided scoring whenever James Madison inched closer, similar to what Denis Clemente did a season ago. He showed poise and promise to possibly run the K-State offense. Russell ended the game with 19 points and four assists.
However, the biggest play-maker of the game was Rodney McGruder. The sophomore forward only had nine points, but he influenced the game in other ways besides scoring. McGruder and Jordan Henriquez-Roberts pulled down eight rebounds apiece to lead the Wildcats.
McGruder also came up with three big-time assists and three steals, along with a game-changing block that resulted in a fast-break three-point jumper by Jacob Pullen.
It was assumed that K-State would take a considerable step back with the loss of their lead guard Denis Clemente. However, thus far, Kansas State fans can breathe a sigh of relief with both Russell and McGruder on the court. Early in the game, Russell and McGruder came up with big plays to keep James Madison from taking another lead in the ball game. Combined, the two accumulated 28 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.
For Russell the most impressive thing of the night wasn’t recorded on the stats sheet. Russell has the ability to play fearsome defense. The sophomore helped force various turnovers and harassed James Madison’s Devon Moore all game.
However, the popular theme last year for Kansas State has come back to haunt them again. The Wildcats almost shot a better percentage from beyond the arc than they did from the charity stripe. K-State converted on only 17 of their 32 free-throw attempts. Additionally, the Wildcats turned the ball over 16 times against a weak man-to-man defense.
Nonetheless, the Wildcats played great on offense, although they did make some mistakes not uncommon during season-openers. With Kelly possibly returning to the lineup for the Wildcats, K-State should have a good chance at picking up it’s first marquee win against No. 23 Virginia Tech on November 16. The game will be a part of ESPN’s 24 hours of College Basketball and is set to tip at 3 pm.
