GAME DAY 13
Kansas State 24-4 (11-3)
Jacob Pullen, guard
Pullen has gone relatively cold in his last seven games (and by relatively, I mean scoring below his season average in six of them, but still in double-figures in all seven). He's still liable to go off for a big night at any time though, as evidenced by his 28 points
Pullen
on 9-of-14 shooting at Texas Tech last Tuesday.
Clemente, in contrast to Pullen has been on fire lately. He's scored 21 or more in four of his last seven, including a 30-point performance in the Wildcats defeat of Iowa State. Clemente is becoming the lethal scoring threat that most people thought he would be at the onset of the
Denis Clemente, guard
Clemente
Sutton is, according to Bill Self, as good an athlete at the three as there is in the entire conference. He's proved Self right by doing a little bit of everything well, averaging 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds. Through 24 games, Sutton didn't hit a
season. He's also averaging 4.4 assists in that span.
Dominique Sutton, guard
single three, but has hit over fifty percent from long range in his last four games (5-of-9).
Sutton
Curtis Kelly, forward
Kelly has matured over the course of the season from a streaky, inconsistent player to a consistent double-double threat. He's scored in double figures in the Wildcats last eight games - dating back to a six-point performance when Kansas visited Bramlage Coliseum - and has posted two double-doubles in that stretc
Kelly
Luis Colon, forward
Frank Martin continues to put Colon in the starting lineup despite him not producing at a consistently high, let alone consistently mediocre, level. For all his size, Colon has yet to post a double-ffigure scoring night and has pulled down 10 or more boards just once, against Cleveland State. Despite starting every conference game for Kansas State, he averages only 15 minute
Colon
Sixth man — Jamar Samuels
Samuels is a more accurate option of Kansas State's No. 2 big man behind Curtis Kelly. He averages 23.4 minutes and 11.9 points per game. Of all the Wildcat posts in the last Sunflower Showdown, Samuels had arguably the best game, but that's not saying too much.
He tallied just 11 points and three boards.
Samuels
Tim Dwyer
ill cheer if ...
me out on fire. Bill Self's teams usually loss, and tonight's game should be no it to see Kansas bring the intensity against t from the opening tip.
will weep if ...
Denis Clemente play well early. Kansas guards did not have good games against season and the Wildcats still pulled out ante and Pullen are hitting their outsides could have a real chance of pulling off
Prediction:
as 87, Kansas State 63
WILDCATS ROSTER
No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt.
21 Clemente, Denis Sr. G 6-1 175
15 Colon, Luis Sr. C 6-10 265
2 Henriquez-Roberts, Jordan Fr. F 7-0 245
3 Irving, Martavious Fr. G 6-1 209
33 Judge, Wally Fr. F 6-9 248
24 Kelly, Curtis Jr. F 6-8 250
22 McGruder, Rodney Fr. G 6-4 205
31 Merrieswether, Chris Sr. G 6-3 210
10 Ojeleye, Victor So. F 6-6 225
0 Pullen, Jacob Jr. G 6-0 200
12 Russell, Nick Fr. G 6-4 200
32 Samuels, Jamar So. F 6-7 215
23 Sutton, Dominique Jr. F 6-5 210
Hometown
Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Carolina, Puerto Rico
Port Chester, N.Y.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Washington, D.C.
Bronx, N.Y.
Washington, D.C.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Ottawa
Maywood, III.
Duncanville, Texas
Washington, D.C.
Durham, N.C.
AT A GLANCE
Since losing to the Jayhawks in overtime, the Wildcats have done nothing but win, ripping off eight straight victories and climbing to No. 5 in both polls. They are similar to Oklahoma State in that they have a pair of guards in Pullen and Clemente (a la James Anderson and Obi Muoneo) who can be devastating if they get hot. If that pair goes off, Kansas could be staring straight down the barrel of its second consecutive loss. The Wildcats front-court, though, is outmatched. Cole Aldrich and Marcus Morris both had double-doubles last time the teams met, despite early foul trouble.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior guard Denis Clemente
Last time around Pullen got the nod as the player to watch for Kansas State, but it's probably best to just keep an eye on both of them. Clemente is often knocked for his fiery demeanor, which can sometimes get the better of him, but he's a dangerous scorer. Since being held to just five points by Texas, Clemente has been a monster offensively for the Wildcats, averaging 18.5 points per game. Clemente
QUESTION MARK
Can Kansas State's big men keep the Kansas frontcourt in check?
Last time around, Kansas' main big men, Marcus Morris and Cole Aldrich, dominated the Wildcats' front court, both posting double-doubles despite being limited by foul trouble. Samuels, Kelly and freshman Wally Judge need to do a better job containing the Kansas bigs if they want any shot at winning.
HEAR YE, HEAR YE
"When we won in Manhattan I told our staff, 'They will not lose again. When we play them they'll have three losses.' And that's exactly what has played out."
- Bill Self
SAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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THE WAVE MARCH 3,2010