Eight is Enough
Wildcats looking to new players
Kansas State hopes it will find the shooters that can score points
By Jason Strait
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas State men's basketball team is hoping to claw itself out of the Big Eight Conference cellar.
But to do so, the Wildcats need to find some shooters.
K-State (12-15 overall and 3-11 in the Big Eight last season) shot a league low 37 percent in Big Eight games, but is expecting to improve that with some new blood.
The Wildcats, who return three starters to a team that finished last in the Big Eight, will rely on three junior college transfers and two highly-touted freshman to fill the shooting void and, hopefully, the basket.
"The key for this team to win is everybody playing together," Davis said. "Me and Elliot (Hatcher) are talking a lot more than last year. Everybody's together and determined to play hard."
Junior college transfers 6-11 junior center Gerald Eaker and 6-9 junior center Johnnie Williams will join Davis in the frontcourt. Both players are expected to step in an play key roles in the Wildcats' frontcourt. Along with 6-8 senior center George Hill, the newcomers will give K-State the height it has lacked in recent years.
"I am enthusiastic about this team," second-year Kansas State men's basketball coach Tom Asbury said. "Through the recruiting process, we've brought in five players, and hopefully, those recruits will improve our team, especially around the perimeter."
Despite expected improvement in the backcourt, the Wildcats' strength once again will be a solid starting frontcourt, led by team captain 6-foot-8 senior forward Tyrone Davis.
For the Wildcats to improve on last year's record, the communication from Davis and Hatcher must translate to improved shooting.
Paul Kotz / KANSAN
K-State was last in the Big Eight in
Davis led the Wildeats last year in blocks (18) and field goal percentage (50.0) while ranking second in rebounds (5.7) and third in scoring (11.5). He is the only returning starter in the frontcourt and is counting on the new faces to burden some of the load.
Kansas State senior forward Tyrone Davis will be an integral part of the Wildcats climb out of the conference cellar.
Hatcher, a 6-foot senior guard, will run the point for the Wildcats, and 6-6 sophomore guard Mark Young will start at shooting guard. Both are returning starters. Although they may not be as well known as some of the other Big Eight guards, they think they can compete with anyone.
field goal percentage, free throw percentage and total team offense last season.
"Everybody's the same to me," Hatcher said. "They grew up playing the same thing as me — basketball."
Kansas State freshman recruits 6-8 forward Manny Dies, named 1994-95 Kansas Sports magazine player of the year; and 6-6 guard Paco May will provide the Wildcats with some much needed depth off the bench.
The Wildcats went 9-3 against relatively weak non-conference opponents last year, which was the main reason they fared so poorly in the Big Eight, Asbury said.
Although the Wildcats don't plan on making the same mistake this year, Asbury still has reservations about his team.
"We should be a little better," he said. "We have a much more demanding non-conference schedule, but there are still many questions that need to be answered. We're going to be feeling our way."
Hill • November 15, 1985
The March to March 28
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