wednesday, february 25, 2004
sports
the university daily kansan 3B
Wildcats showing improvement
The Associated Press
MANHATTAN — In an unmistakable sign of progress, long-suffering Kansas State has actually become a revenge game for one Big 12 Conference foe.
Progress, though, is coming slowly in Jim Wooldridge's fourth year as head coach. Youth, injuries and inconsistency are dooming the Wildcats (12-11, 4-8 Big 12) to another sub-.500 conference season. Unless they go crazy and win the Big 12 tournament next month in Dallas, an NCAA bid is out of the question.
Nevertheless, Iowa State did not appreciate that 31-point pummeling the Wildcats handed them back on Feb. 11 in one of the most lopsided games of the Big 12 season.
It's an embarrassment the Cyclones plan to avenge tonight when they host Kansas State at Hilton Coliseum.
"It gives us a lot of motivation," said Iowa State senior Jake Sullivan. "There were some comments after that game about beating us that bad. We took it personal. It's a game I'll definitely be ready for."
In another sign of slow-but-sure progress, the Wildcats beat Nebraska in their last road game to snap a 16-game overall road losing streak and a 21-game skid
"There were some comments after that game about beating us that bad. We took it personal. It's a game I'll definitely be ready for."
Jake Sullivan lowe State senior guard
in conference road games.
But getting a rare, for them, road winning streak started in Ames on Wednesday night could be a tall order. Although the Wildcats are 44-42 all-time at Iowa State, they have only one win to show for their last 13 trips to Hilton Coliseum.
And Jarrett Hart, one of their most consistent scorers, has been hobbled by injury. Hart's limited mobility was no doubt a factor last Saturday in one of the most disappointing losses of the Wooldridge era. After snapping the road jinx at Nebraska, the Wildcats came home and lost to Colorado.
So much for the momentum of the win at Nebraska. It was a bitter setback for a program that's been counting progress in baby steps.
"It came at the worst time," said Wooldridge. "We were playing better. Colorado played awfully well. But we still think Jarrett Hart (being injured) was a factor in how we played. For us to be a successful team, we've got to have everybody healthy and hitting on all cylinders, and that just wasn't the case."
Injuries have dogged the Wildcats all year. Among the most crippling were problems that slowed bluechip freshmen Cartier Martin and Dez Willingham.
Another newcomer, junior college transfer Jeremiah Massey, has turned into one of the Big 12's most consistent scorers, averaging more than 14 points and making an impression on everyone who sees him.
"Our players were actually talking about him after our game," said Colorado coach Ricardo Patton.
Patton, who's seen the Wildcats twice a year for all of Wooldridge's four seasons, believes they're on the threshold of a breakthrough.
"I their young guys are going to be good in time. But it takes time," he said. "It doesn't matter what kind of reputation guys come in with. They find out there are other good players in this league. I
think Cartier Martin is going to be a big-time player. I really do. They may be just one piece away."
Whether Wooldridge gets a contract extension is a matter of debate. But most observers feel he'll be given at least next year, the last on the five-year contract he signed when taking over a program that had decaved under Tom Asbury.
"I've said this over and over. I think our players over the last month have all felt like we are making progress as a team, and getting closer to the point where we were playing at a higher level, a better level." Wooldridge said.
Their level of disappointment after losing at home to Colorado after beating Nebraska on the road was greater "than at any other time of the year," he said.
"We've all felt like we were getting better and we were improving. There have been some very positive signs that we're moving forward."
Other see those signs as well.
"They've got an excellent program going," Sullivan said. "Their level of players from my freshman year to now is completely different. Hart, (Tim) Ellis, Massey. They've got a lot of talent.
They just say "It's just that we're in such a good league,it's hard to get wins. But they're as talented as most teams you'll play."
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