Chapter #49: Big 12 Tournament 2013

Just almost two weeks now from been at my 2nd Big 12 tournament of course last I went to my 1st conference tourney in Kansas City where the Kansas State Wildcats basketball team lost to the Baylor Bears in the first round when Frank Martin was the head coach. This trip was different in the fact of a new coach, same team, and different result.

 Texas: I should mention that I didn't go up to KC just as a fan; I was there working/representing for my radio station the Wildcat 91.9 and I call the 1st round game between K-State and Texas which saw K-State go off to a slow start before the offense for the Cats got going and pulled away from the Longhorns. They beat twice in the regular season and pretty much swept Texas 66-49 in the 1st round. With good performances from Rodney, Angel, and a spark off the bench by DJ Johnson the Cats moved on to night #2 of the Big 12 tourney.

Oklahoma State: I worked the Social Media side of things for this the semifinal game between the Cowboys in which this was also the 3rd meeting that these teams Ok. State and K-State have met with the previous meeting in Stillwater that the Cowboys prevailed led by LaBryan Nash but here in the tourney it was a different story. A K-State run towards the end of the 1st half and defense that keyed on Nash and Marcus Smart the Big 12 player of the year and the Cats got some payback winning 68-57 over Oklahoma State to advance to the championship round Rodney McGruder and Angel Rodriguez led the way once again even big man off the bench this time Thomas Gipson.

Kansas: There was one little surprise coming into the Sprint Center in Kansas City before the game with all of the teams that have been eliminated from the tourney our crew had the oppurtunity to call the game from front row which means basically courtside in basketball. And man, what a view from down there with me being the color commentator for this one just the view from the floor is a lot more different from up to in the arena and with lot of pretty much KU fans it was a pack house. And from what we saw Kansas once again put the clamps on K-State and took home the conference tournament in a great performance 70-54. And for the third straight game this season, the Jayhawks defeated the Cats. It's been the same old story here lately which becomes a question will K-State be up to a competition level wit KU?? I can't even answer that one. The Jayhawks every year seem to be the team to beat. Overall, being in KC for the weekend was another great experience.

Stay Cool,
EG3

Chapter #48: Showdown City- #9 Kansas State vs. #13 Oklahoma State

The final regular season game final Big 12 game will on Saturday afternoon where the Cats will be either a #1 or #2 seed depending on the outcome of both of these games. Meanwhile Kansas will be on the road taking on Baylor in the night game the Bears are really struggling and looks they won't make the tourney unless they somehow, someway knockoff KU which would with a K-State win the Cats get the regular season title. But once again, the Jayhawks have the inside track to the title again. A veteran squad led by McGruder and company look to close out the season on a very high note down in Stillwater, OK against Marcus Smart and the Cowboys. I think this game goes down to the wire unless one of these teams does not show up, I doubt that. Too much is riding on this game; K-State winners of  10 of it's last 11 games and on a mission it looks like. 12:30pm in Stillwater, OK

Green-White-Checkered

Green: Bruce Weber Style

Bruce Weber has this K-State that I have seen all year playing at a high level. Early on it didn't look very good at all this Wildcat team playing very well right now. Even if the team does not Will in this game which I haven't heard anything yet on that...Rodney, Angel, Shane, Martavious and co look continue their play against Oklahoma State in a tough environment.

White: Marcus Smart

One of the talented Freshman in the College Basketball this year and in the Big 12 averaging 14 points look from him to play a huge role in the game along the usual cast of characters Markel Brown, La' Bryan Nash and even Phil Forte from the 3-point line.

Checkered: Last Meeting- 73-67 Kansas State in Manhattan

Rodney McGruder was the difference in the game clearly put up 2 different halfs. The 2nd half is where it counted for the Cats as Rodney went off. For the game McGruder had 28 points in this one while Nino Williams added in 17. If Cats gets that from Big time Rod in the season finale the Cats will be sitting right there on top. Marcus Smart had 25 points. Will this be a repeat?? It's possible but I see Rodney getting close to 20 points again. He will need more help from his teammates if their winning in Stillwater. Big question, is Spradling playing? Will find out; I'm not give a score prediction but this will be tight game for 40 minutes but I will say the Cats have a shot to win this game.


Stay Cool,
EG3