Oklahoma State (11-11) at (20) Kansas State (16-5)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Bramlage Coliseum (13,340) -- Manhattan, Kansas. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Oklahoma St. 10-2, Kansas St. 12-1. Away Record: Oklahoma St. 0-6, Kansas St. 2-1. Neutral Record: Oklahoma St. 1-3, Kansas St. 2-3. Conference Record: Oklahoma St. 2-6, Kansas St. 6-1. Series Record: Kansas State leads, 68-45.
GAME NOTES: The 20th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats will attempt to improve their already impressive record as they take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Big 12 Conference action. Oklahoma State carried a six-game losing streak and very little confidence into Wednesday's matchup with Colorado, but the result of that tilt was a much-needed 64-63 triumph. The Cowboys have yet to win a true road game this season, however, so not much is expected of the team this evening. As for Kansas State, it suffered its first Big 12 loss last Saturday to Missouri, but the team bounced back strong with a 74-59 decision over Nebraska on Wednesday. The Wildcats are 16-5 overall, including 12-1 at home and 6-1 in conference action. They have already beaten rival Kansas once, proving that they are legitimate contenders for the Big 12 title. Kansas State owns a 68-45 lead in the all-time series with Oklahoma State, but the Cowboys have won the last five meetings.
Overall this season, Oklahoma State is scoring 69.5 ppg while allowing 65.5 ppg. James Anderson leads the team with 14.9 ppg, and Terrel Harris is generating 10.5 ppg. The strength of the Cowboys has been their ability to force turnovers, as opponents have committed 393 giveaways in 22 games. Anderson scored 16 points for Oklahoma State in the one-point victory over Colorado, and Byron Eaton contributed 13 points. Both teams finished with only 44 field goal attempts in the contest, and while the Buffaloes did knock down one more shot than the Cowboys, a 25-17 advantage in points from the foul line proved to be the difference for Oklahoma State. A 37-26 rebounding advantage, including a 13-5 edge on the offensive glass, certainly played a role in the win.
Michael Beasley is arguably the best frontcourt player in all of college basketball. The Kansas State freshman has been dominant from his first game this season and continues to impress with his rare combination of size and athleticism. Beasley has been K-State's leading scorer in 17 games this season, including the last eight. He is averaging 25.3 ppg and 12.3 rpg while shooting 56.9 percent from the floor, including 42.2 percent from behind the arc. Beasley even leads the team in steals (30) and blocked shots (35), and he has to be considered one of the leading candidates for national player of the year. Bill Walker has emerged as a star in his own right, as he is generating 15.9 ppg. Thanks in large part to the efforts of those two players, the Wildcats are generating 80.1 ppg while limiting the opposition to 66.6 ppg. In the game against Nebraska on Wednesday, Beasley set a school record with his 18th double-double of the season, and the standout rookie finished with 35 points and 13 rebounds. Walker and Jacob Pullen had 11 points apiece for the 'Cats, who limited the Cornhuskers to 38.2 percent shooting from the field.
Beasley is worth the price of admission or the two hours spent in front of a television. His skill set is unmatched for a player his size at the collegiate level, and it would be shocking if he did not take that unique game to the NBA next season.
FACTS & STATS: Site: Bramlage Coliseum (13,340) -- Manhattan, Kansas. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Oklahoma St. 10-2, Kansas St. 12-1. Away Record: Oklahoma St. 0-6, Kansas St. 2-1. Neutral Record: Oklahoma St. 1-3, Kansas St. 2-3. Conference Record: Oklahoma St. 2-6, Kansas St. 6-1. Series Record: Kansas State leads, 68-45.
GAME NOTES: The 20th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats will attempt to improve their already impressive record as they take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Big 12 Conference action. Oklahoma State carried a six-game losing streak and very little confidence into Wednesday's matchup with Colorado, but the result of that tilt was a much-needed 64-63 triumph. The Cowboys have yet to win a true road game this season, however, so not much is expected of the team this evening. As for Kansas State, it suffered its first Big 12 loss last Saturday to Missouri, but the team bounced back strong with a 74-59 decision over Nebraska on Wednesday. The Wildcats are 16-5 overall, including 12-1 at home and 6-1 in conference action. They have already beaten rival Kansas once, proving that they are legitimate contenders for the Big 12 title. Kansas State owns a 68-45 lead in the all-time series with Oklahoma State, but the Cowboys have won the last five meetings.
Overall this season, Oklahoma State is scoring 69.5 ppg while allowing 65.5 ppg. James Anderson leads the team with 14.9 ppg, and Terrel Harris is generating 10.5 ppg. The strength of the Cowboys has been their ability to force turnovers, as opponents have committed 393 giveaways in 22 games. Anderson scored 16 points for Oklahoma State in the one-point victory over Colorado, and Byron Eaton contributed 13 points. Both teams finished with only 44 field goal attempts in the contest, and while the Buffaloes did knock down one more shot than the Cowboys, a 25-17 advantage in points from the foul line proved to be the difference for Oklahoma State. A 37-26 rebounding advantage, including a 13-5 edge on the offensive glass, certainly played a role in the win.
Michael Beasley is arguably the best frontcourt player in all of college basketball. The Kansas State freshman has been dominant from his first game this season and continues to impress with his rare combination of size and athleticism. Beasley has been K-State's leading scorer in 17 games this season, including the last eight. He is averaging 25.3 ppg and 12.3 rpg while shooting 56.9 percent from the floor, including 42.2 percent from behind the arc. Beasley even leads the team in steals (30) and blocked shots (35), and he has to be considered one of the leading candidates for national player of the year. Bill Walker has emerged as a star in his own right, as he is generating 15.9 ppg. Thanks in large part to the efforts of those two players, the Wildcats are generating 80.1 ppg while limiting the opposition to 66.6 ppg. In the game against Nebraska on Wednesday, Beasley set a school record with his 18th double-double of the season, and the standout rookie finished with 35 points and 13 rebounds. Walker and Jacob Pullen had 11 points apiece for the 'Cats, who limited the Cornhuskers to 38.2 percent shooting from the field.
Beasley is worth the price of admission or the two hours spent in front of a television. His skill set is unmatched for a player his size at the collegiate level, and it would be shocking if he did not take that unique game to the NBA next season.
