OMAHA, NE.--Kansas State had the better players. Wisconsin had the better team.
The Badgers used a steady, pass-first offense and its usual suffocating perimeter defense to bury Michael Beasley University here in the first game of the Omaha Regional's second round 72-55.
Continue reading "Omaha Regional- Wisconsin constricts the Cats, 72-55." »
OMAHA, NE.-- As you can tell by this picture, the blood-loving media just LOVE when there's an injury. Notice all the cameras pointed at Kansas State's Bill Walker as he lay on the floor?
(What is this, Princess Di or something? Tame your cameras paparazzi)
Wisconsin does what they like to do, squeeze the life out of people. They bled the clock down to the four minute mark and hold an insurmountable 72-53 lead. That loud slamming sound you just heard was the sound of a door slamming.
OMAHA, NE.-- As an unbiased observer in the game, I gotta say, it looks like Kansas State is getting the shaft on a handful of calls in this second half so far. They've been whistled for eight fouls, while Udub has just four.
But I will say that double-technical call was warranted, Bill Walker appeared to be innocent, but I've noticed he's been hacking and hand-checking a bit more than should be allowed. Still, these calls need to even out a bit for the Cats.
(Bill Walker giving the zebra the business after a questionable double-technical)
OMAHA, NE.-- Apparently the governor of the great state of Kansas, Kathleen Sebilius, is a K-State fan, as you can tell by her purple attire for today's game:
(the governor of Kansas getting interviewed by a writer that just won't leave her alone to enjoy the game)
My guess is that she'll be changing to a blue blazer for game two today.The honorable gov is sitting in the first row right behind the two rows of press peeps.
It's now Wisconsin 49-35 on the strength of a 3-point jumper by Trevon Hughes. He's making up for that last ill-advised rush at the end of the first half.
OMAHA, NE.-- As the Badgers were exiting through the bowels of the stadium, one of the UW players said this to another player regarding Trevon Hughes' length-of-the-court drive and subsequent three-point attempt at the end of the first half.
(Coach Ryan, so angry his eyes are devil red, consults with Hughes about his last second shot to end the half)
At the half it's Wisconsin 39, Kansas State 33. But really, it's Udub's three-point shooter 21, Beasley 17. THAT'S the story of the first half of the game. Overall, the Badgers are 7-for-15 from beyond the arc while KSU is 0-for-4, choosing to pound the ball inside instead. State has 24 points in the paint, UW has just 10. KSU is also leading the rebounding at 17-12.
Wisconsin has to like the pace of the game so far, however.
OMAHA, NE.-- It's now 26-18 at the 6:36 mark .
But during the previous timeout, while the Cats were huddling, Michael Beasley was way down at the end of the bench getting his left ankle re-taped. He hasn't looked gimpy or anything - to say the least - but it's something to keep in mind as the game goes on.
(Beasley getting a quick tape job during a timeout)
Meanwhile, Beasley is 4-for-9 with 10 points and the rest of the Cats are 2-for-10. Wisky is now 4-for-10 from three point land and their ball movement has been incredible. If Bohannon heats up, look out.
Also, there have been some huge ovations from the Badger fans for Krabbenhof, Stiemsma and Butch every time they've come out of the game. Their fans are saavy enough to know they are the key to containing Beasley.
OMAHA, NE.-- Wisconsin either seems alright with Michael Beasley getting his points or they can't stop him, because he's slashed, dashed aand fallaway jumpered to eight of his teams points and taken seven of the Cats' 13 offensive shots.
But UW just hit another and got an old school three-point play by Greg Stiemsma to surge ahead 16-12.
(Look at all the different types of shoes that K-State players wear. Does Nike approve?)
OMAHA, NE.-- Today is day two of the Omaha Regional and the two biggest questions going into today's action have to be...
1- Will K-State revert to typical freshman form and play great one day, but awful the next?
When you consider they'll be going against the best defensive team in the country in Wisconsin, this could be the case.
2- Will Kansas be pushed at all by the much-shorter, matchup-challenged UNLV Walkin' Rebs?
Judging by the looks of things, my guess is that Kansas will come out looking better than anybody in today's action. Just my hunch of course.
OMAHA, NE.-- The kings of the court delivered, but it was the pawns that really helped decide the game.
(Mayo and Beasley battled each other all night)
O.J. Mayo, Devon Jefferson, Bill Walker and Michael Beasley got their points. To be exact, 20, 15, 22 and 23 respectively. That you knew was going to happen.
Less expected was the contributions of non-starting frosh Jacob Pullen and Ron Anderson who both had what some might consider to be career nights in helping Kansas State paste USC 80-67.
Continue reading "Omaha Regional- Wildcats find new pieces on the board to down USC" »
OMAHA, NE.-- K-State leads 76-62 with 1:20 left. I'm going to see the rest of the Duke game now.
OMAHA, NE.-- USC used a rash of points from O.J. Mayo to tie the game at 47 with 13 minutes left.
But since then, KSU has pounded the ball inside and gotten to the line on the SC hackings that have taken place the last few minutes. It's KSU 61-54 with 7:37 remaining here in Omaha.
(Mayo can lift Walker. Now if only he could lift his teammates to play better)
Mayo has raced out to 15 points, after having just seven at the half. Michael Beasley has taken a "damn the torpedoes" approach and is playing aggressively despite his three fouls. He's got 16 points and nine rebounds now.
OMAHA, NE.-- It was a pretty poor half for the Men of Troy. And pretty sweet for Kansas State. KSU leads 37-37, mostly because the Trojan plan to surround, hound and pound Michael Beasley just ain't working out so well.
On the other hand, one thing USC does have going great guns...
(The USC Song Girls. The gold standard of dance squads. "Come hither" look thrown in for free)
K-State's "other" star, Bill Walker, is making minced meat of USC's D with 17 first half points. The Purple Cats are also out-rebounding the Trojans by a 20-11 margin. A full 12 of those rebounds have come on the offensive end of the floor. The Wildcats have scored 16 points in the paint, as opposed to SC's eight.
Tim Floyd has usually been a great second half coach. Tonight he'll need to be just that again. In spades.
OMAHA, NE.-- Things are going K-State's way.
- Trojan center Taj Gibson is in foul trouble (three fouls with five minutes left in the half)
- The non-marquee players are stepping up (Stewart and Sutton hit threes)
- O.J. Mayo has yet to get untracked (0-for-4 from the field)
Only thing that's gone wrong is that Bill Walker had his mouthpiece fly out of his mouth when he had a collision and had to go to the locker room for a spell. He's back now, though.
It's KSU 31-21 with three minutes left before the break.
OMAHA, NE.-- With Pat Riley looking on, Michael Beasley finally hit his first shot of the night at the 10:23 mark of the first half. It was also his first shot attempted tonight too.
(Life of Riley: A hot chick next to him and third row seats to the NCAAs)
Dominique Sutton added K-State's third three-pointer of the game a while ago. If that kind of support continues, it could spell doom for the Trojans, who are expelling a lot of energy on Beasley and Walker.
It's now K-State 23, USC 16. 7:51 left in the first half.
OMAHA, NE.-- Apparently the Trojans plan on just frustrating the hell out of Michael Beasley in order to get State off it's game. He's already picked up two quick fouls in the game and has had two guys in his jock down on the offensive end of the floor.
(Beasley after getting called for his second foul)
But K-State has received a couple of threes from Clent Stewart and Bill Walker to take a 11-10 lead at 13:39 of the first half.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Dominique Carter wanted to ensure Texas A&M's spot in the NCAA tournament.
The Texas A&M senior score 19 points, including two huge 3-pointers in the second half, to push the Aggies past the No. 3 seeded Kansas State Wildcats 63-60.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas State got two attempts, one to win the game and one to send it to overtime.
Both failed.
A&M won 63-60 at the Sprint Center and will advance to play Kansas in the semifinals Saturday.
Kansas State's Jacob Pullen missed a 3-pointer as time expired, ending the game.
The Wildcats' first try came after they got the rebound off a missed A&M shot attempt and called timeout with 20 seconds left to set up a winning shot attempt. Michael Beasley's layup attempt bounced off the rim, and A&M's Josh Carter hit two free throws to make it a 3-point game.
K-State is the lone favorite to lose today.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- K-State has been doing everything right for the past two minutes.
Rebounding, shooting, playing defense hustling to loose balls, you name it. This crowd is louder than during any time of the Kansas-Nebraska game. It's clear the KSU fans want to lock up a good NCAA tournament bid.
With 3:49 left, K-State 57, A&M 56.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Thursday night, several Texas A&M players talked about how eager they were to play tonight's game.
They were demolished by K-State when the teams met in January. It also appears they want a chance at getting back at Kansas, too.
Led by back-to-back 3-pointers by Dominique Kirk, the Aggies have expanded their lead back to seven points.
With 7:25 left, A&M 55, K-State 48.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The natives were getting restless, booing at practically every call and getting highly frustrated with Kansas State. They don't want to be the only higher seed to fall today here at the Big 12 tournament.
It took all of a minute for all of that to change. Kansas State is still trailing by five, but considering they were looking at a double-digit disadvantage, they'll surely take it.
With 11:42 left, Texas A&M 47, K-State 42.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- We all know Michael Beasley can score. Duh.
But on one Texas A&M possession, the 6-foot-10 frosh blocked two shots. The first came right at my spot on press row, and I had one of the best views of the mid-air collision between K-State's Bill Walker and A&M's Josh Carter.
With 16:43 left, A&M 40, K-State 35.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The back and forth between K-State and Texas A&M appears to be starting.
A&M led by as many as six, the Wildcats led by two and now the Aggies are up five again.
KSU's Michael Beasley has 14 points, and A&M's Dominique Kirk has 12.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The back and forth between K-State and Texas A&M appears to be starting.
A&M led by as many as six, the Wildcats led by two and now the Aggies are up five again.
KSU's Michael Beasley has 14 points, and A&M's Dominique Kirk has 12.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Just in case any of you were wonder if K-State and soon-to-be No. 1 pick Michael Beasley lost anything during his five days between games.
Nope.
In 13 minutes, the 6-foot-10 stopover has 13 points.
With 6 minutes left in the first, K-State 28, Texas A&M 26.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- On Darren Kent's 3-pointer, Kansas State has tied the game 26-26 with 7:41 left in the first half.
Momentum, and certainly a semi-hometown crowd, are on the Wildcats' side.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Third-seeded Kansas State appears to be having the same type of early problems Kansas did with Nebraska in the previous game.
The Wildcats trounced Texas A&M in January in Manhattan. So far tonight, the Aggies are controlling this one.
With 11:44 left in the opening half, Texas A&M 18, Kansas State 14.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Bill Walker turned the tables on packed media room.
"I got a question for y'all," the freshman forward said after Kansas State's victory over Kansas. "How many of y'all thought we would win?"
Walker's answer was a resounding silence.
But after the Wildcats' 84-75 victory over rival Kansas -- the first win over their in-state rival in Manhattan in 25 years -- Walker probably deserved to ask any question he wanted. Gone are the assumptions that K-State simply is no match for the Jayhawks. Gone are the assumptions that KU would run away with the Big 12 conference title.
And gone is the stigma that K-State was just an early flash in the pan.
Behind 25 points from Michael Beasley, 22 from Walker and 20 from guard Jacob Pullen, KSU beat Kansas quite handedly and now stands atop the conference at 5-0 (15-4 overall). Kansas (20-1, 5-1), meanwhile, left Memphis as the lone undefeated team in the nation.
"We weren't going to run the table," Kansas' Bill Self said, admitting the Jayhawks' 24-game win streak in Manhattan coming to an end stung relatively little when compared to dropping a game to his team's rival.
That sting Self and Co. felt came in large part to Beasley, who finished with those 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range. Despite the Jayhawks' best efforts, they couldn't contain the freshman.
"He scored real points," Self said. "He scored pro points."
The pros are where most assume Beasley will be shooting next season, as most consider him an NBA draft lottery lock. On Wednesday, though, Beasley did his damage in the college ranks.
Beasley obviously wasn't alone. Walker's points came despite playing just 11 minutes in the first half. The true difference against Kansas might have been Pullen.
While Beasley and Walker have proved nearly all season they could put up points, Pullen -- a reserve after starting the first nine games -- came into the game averaging 9.4 points per game. He topped that average from the free-throw line alone. There, he was 10-for-10, seven of the makes coming after halftime.
The trio made sure another stigma is gone for the time being.
"People act like there's one team in Kansas," Walker said.
Not anymore.
Instead, the party started as the final buzzer sounded and fans stormed the court. Willie the Wildcat crowd-surfed; a 10-year-old boy shook vigorously in front of a TV camera. And Beasley stood atop the scorer's table pounding his chest like the king of Manhattan he has quickly become.
"Twenty-five years -- I would have rushed the court, too," Pullen said.
The game and the aftermath also had reprecussions for Kansas. On top of losing for the first time, it also leaves less room for error in a Big 12 that is extremely tight in spots two-five.
Kansas guard Brandon Rush said moments after the loss he was already preparing for what was to come, be it from Kansas State or hecklers.
"Now they think they can beat us on our own court (March 1 in Lawrence)," said Rush, who also said an expected influx of phone calls was going to force him to change his cell phone number during the drive back home.
That might be Rush's only solace.
As for Kansas State, Aggieville is surely already hopping. And Walker is beaming. Anything he said now carries more weight than even the preseason prediction Beasley made declaring K-State would beat Kansas.
"Until someone knocks us off the top," he said, "We're the best."
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- That's one way to kill a streak nearly 25 years in the making.
Kansas State is still celebrating mid-court after beating Kansas 84-75 in Bramlage Coliseum. The victory ends what had been a 24-year losing streak to the Jayhawks in Manhattan. It also gives KU (20-1) it's first loss of the season.
More to come.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- The most-hyped Kansas State-Kansas game in years is turning into a purple-clad Wildcat party.
Frank Martin's squad leads 83-75 with 26.9 seconds left, and barring a minor miracle on Kansas' part, KSU is going to head to 15-4, but more importantly, 5-0 in the Big 12 most people assumed was all Kansas'.
Most people thought wrong -- at least for now.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- One of two unbeaten teams in the country is about to fall.
And Kansas coach Bill Self won't have to look hard to figure out why. The Jayhawks have hit just seven of their 21 field-goal attempts in the second half. And now, with 2:27 remaining, they trail No. 22 Kansas State, 76-64.
Bramlage Coliseum is just a few moments from collapsing upon the floor, and it will be rightly deserved. The Wildcats have not beaten Kansas in Manhattan in 25 years and 1 day -- a streak that's very close to ending.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Jayhawks are scratching their heads.
Kansas State fans are trying to break eardrums.
Courtesy of Michael Beasley's wide-open three-pointer with 4:10 to go, the Wildcats now lead, 67-57, here in Bramlage Coliseum.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- No. 22 Kansas State is 7:31 away from handing mighty Kansas its first loss of the year.
The Wildcats have already received 34 points from their two stars -- Michael Beasley and Bill Walker. Meanwhile, Kansas continues to struggle.
With 7:31 left -- K-State 57, Kansas 49.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- At least the referees are consistent.
With a number of players drawing multiple fouls in the first half, tonight's officials for the Kansas-Kansas State game have continued to call a relatively tight game. During the last 4 minutes, four fouls have been called, including a fourth foul for both Kansas forward Darrell Arthur and K-State reserve Darren Kent. Kent has been forced to pick up some of the slack left by three early fouls on Wildcat starter Bill Walker.
With 11:58 to go, Kansas State 49, Kansas 45.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Kansas coach Bill Self just delivered a few choice words to the referee crew for tonight's game against Kansas State.
But like it or not, most of the Jayhawks' problems early in the second half are their own fault. Kansas has managed just one bucket -- a Darnell Jackson breakaway dunk -- so far after halftime. Inside, the Jayhawks are just not enough without forward Darrell Arthur, who has yet to play after picking up three first-half fouls.
With 16:16 left to go, Kansas State 44, Kansas 38.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Pick your cliche.
Kansas State isn't scared. The Wildcats are drawing enthusiasm from a ruckus home crowd. Whatever.
Whatever your poison, Kansas State certainly isn't letting itself getting controlled by arguably the best team in college basketball, No. 2 Kansas. KSU's slim, 38-36 lead at the half is an attribute to it's ability to find variation on both sides of the court.
Forward Bill Walker -- the Wildcats' second-leading scorer -- played just 11 minutes after finding himself with three fouls. However, Chicago native and fellow freshman Jacob Pullen has picked up some of the slack. He and Michael Beasley have each added eight points to Walker's 12.
Conversely, Kansas' depth is already being put to the test. Forward Darrell Arthur has already been called for three fouls. Senior reserve big man Sasha Kaun also has two, as does guard Mario Chalmers.
Any extended foul trouble, and Kansas' bench might soon mean little at all.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Michael Beasley might be making the most of his time at Kansas State, but it's a pretty good thing the Wildcats stud freshman is good at basketball.
After spilling out just moments ago, Beasley drew chants of "Michael Beasley" from the packed Bramlage Coliseum when he proceded to towel up his own sweat. It didn't work out so well.
As soon as play started again, teammate Darren Kent looked the part of a slip-and-slide participant when he hit the same spot on the floor.
Beasley got a second chance a few minutes later on the other end of the court. So far, the second try seems more effective than the first.
With 25.5 seconds left before half: Kansas State 38, Kansas 36.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Having witnessed the "blow" that just sent Kansas guard Mario Chalmers to the floor, I have a bit of advice for the Jayhawks' junior.
Avoid a fist fight.
Chalmers drew a foul on Kansas State forward Bill Walker with a hair more than 5 minutes remaining in the first half. And whether it was Chalmers have a glass jaw, Walker being the strong, a little bit of acting or a combination of the three, Chalmers hit the deck, and Walker was immediately whistled for his third foul of the game.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Less than a quarter of the way through No. 2 Kansas against No. 22 Kansas State, a key player from each team has already been whistled for two fouls.
On consecutive possessions, Kansas forward Darrell Arthur and K-State forward Bill Walker were called for their second infraction. For now, at least, it may turn out to be in Kansas' favor.
The Jayhawks have one of the deepest benches in the country; Kansas State is known more the 1-2 combo of Walker and Michael Beasley. Walker currently leads all scorers with 12 points.
Even with him on the bench, the Wildcats lead 28-22 with 9:18 remaining in the first half.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Using a combination of a tightening defense and it's fast-break offense, Kansas has equalized what had been an early K-State lead.
Jayhawks guard Brandon Rush already has eight points with about 12 minutes left in the first half, and Kansas has an 18-16 lead.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Whether No. 22 Kanas State is trying to set up No. 2 Kansas to utilize an inside game or it just thinks it can live and die with the 3-pointer, the Wildcats are certainly taking advantage of the deep shot early.
Courtesy of three threes -- one each by Bill Walker, Clent Stewart and Blake Young -- K-State holds an 11-5 lead four minutes and 33 seconds into the game.
The Wildcats have also missed three three-pointers, but even at a 50-percent clip is more than paying off so far.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- As expected, Kansas State forward Andre Gilbert will not play in tonight's game against No. 2 Kansas.
Gilbert, KSU sports information announced, has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules and will have his status determined at by coach Frank Martin at a later date.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Kansas-K-State will not tip off for more than an hour, but already the Wildcats have been dealt a blow of sorts.
A release from Kansas State's sports information department is expected to follow soon, but it appears small forward Andre Gilbert has been suspended for an undisclosed violation. Gilbert, who has started 13 of the Wildcats' 18 games and averages 5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per, did not practice this afternoon and will not play tonight.
Gilbert's defense, though, is what might be missed the most. He likely would have been responsible for guarding Kansas star Brandon Rush for most of the night.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- As the flow of purple lava flowed into Bramlage Coliseum just moments ago, it's hard to imagine that it has been as long as it has since Kansas State took care of its in-state rival in Manhattan.
It was 25 years and one day ago -- Jan. 29, 1983, to be exact -- when K-State last beat the Jayhawks here. Think about everything that has transpired in that time.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- The last time Kansas State beat a Top 10 opponent, there was no follow-up energy.
It was March 6, 2004, when the Wildcats took out then-No. 10 Texas at home, only to lose it's next game -- the first round of that year's Big 12 tournament -- to Iowa State. That loss ended the season, and erased the memories of a quality victory that essentially did nothing but guarantee a non-losing season.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- It's official here in Manhattan, as K-State has improved to 12-4 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12 with a 75-54 win over No. 10 Texas A&M.
K-State's talented freshman 1-2 punch of Michael Beasly (21 points) and Bill Walker (19) were too much for A&M.
The Aggies drop to 15-3 and 1-2, and have now lost consecutive games for the first time this season.
Wrap-up post to follow.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Despite three first-half fouls and a less-than-stellar shooting effort for most of the game, K-State freshman Michael Beasley is breaking out against the Aggies.
On back-to-back possessions, Beasley has scored.
Following two more breakaway baskets, K-State now leads, 64-46, and appears poised to move to 7-0 all-time against Texas A&M at Bramlage Coliseum.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Frank Martin has decided Bill Walker had enough rest.
Walker, who was leading all scorers with 15 points but also had three fouls, just re-entered the game with 10 minutes remaining after a couple on the bench.
He responded by nailing a three-pointer to give K-State a 52-41 lead and ignite an already over-the-top crowd.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- K-State's fans gave coach Frank Martin's team enough reason to be up for this game.
The Wildcats are certainly returning the favor so far.
Courtesy of more stingy defense, K-State is up 46-40 on the Aggies with 10:37 to go and the ball coming out of the current timeout.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Add another K-State player to the list of the endangered starters.
Freshman forward Bill Walker -- who did not have a foul during the first half -- has been called for three during the opening 6 minutes of the second half. Walker leads all scorers with 15 points, and K-State coach Frank Martin has just taken him out of the game.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- At the first TV timeout of the second half, K-State and Texas A&M is starting see some foul trouble.
While neither team has recorded 10 fouls, three Aggies and two K-State starters have already been hit with at least two personal fouls. The list inlcudes three apiece for K-State's Michael Beasley and A&M's Bryan Davis.
K-State reserve Darren Kent was also just whistled for his second foul.
With 15:55 to go, it's K-State 39, Texas A&M 36.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- During the next three months, college basketball fans will continue to get look after look at K-State freshman Michael Beasley.
NBA teams are drooling over the next big thing, and Wildcat fans are drooling at what he's doing in K-State purple. And sure, there are the fantastic dunks, the activeness underneath both baskets and an immeasurable ability to seem to be in the right place at the right time more often than not.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Texas A&M didn't put itself among the best teams in the country for nothing.
The Aggies have a rounded-out lineup that includes at least seven players who could start. In any game, opponents have to be looking in multiple directions.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- K-State looks like it's already made some adjustments to Texas A&M's inside attack.
The Wildcats just held A&M scoreless for approximately 4 minutes without a score. K-State's presence has been an instant credit to much more physical, gang-style approach.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- It didn't take long to figure out what Texas A&M was planning on doing today.
The Aggies have jumped out to a 11-3 lead here at Bramlage, and most of Texas A&M's damage has come from the paint. Specifically, coach Mark Turgeon's team is going at K-State's "other" talented freshman, 6-foot-6 forward Bill Walker.
Three of the Aggies' early baskets have come against Walker down low. And as if the play itself wasn't enough, Texas A&M sophomore Bryan Davis already made it a point to get in Walker's ear early, too.
On the other side of the court, Walker, who is averaging 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds a game, has K-State's only after the first five minutes.
MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Funny what happens when you leave the Midwest for a few years. I've seen a number of basketball games here at Kansas State.
But never -- including two games against archrival Kansas -- have I seen and heard out of Bramlage Coliseum what I already have today.
NEW YORK -- Now that the Notre Dame game is over, Josh and I leave the blogging in the capable hands of Professor Scott. It's safe to do that because he can spell and pronounce "Mayo." He has a little more trouble with Harangody.
NEW YORK -- As we watch No. 3 Memphis take on USC in the second game of our double-header here at a more crowded, yet still rather empty Madison Square Garden, Notre Dame coach Mike Brey seemed to be pleased with his team's effort after securing a 68-59 win over Kansas State.
"It's certainly a game for us to build on," he remarked during his post-game press conference. "We had to fight off a very good basketball team and make some game-winning plays.
"Just winning a game against a good team on this stage when the lights are very bright and there's game pressure, that's more important than all the math and bracketology that we start talking about early. Sometimes you forget about the process with the team, so I think it's a big step forward for our team."
Several of those plays came from Staten Island native Kyle McAlarney, who hit a big three with less than three minutes left to put Notre Dame up by five and then knocked down by a pair of free throws a couple minutes later that sealed the victory for the Fighting Irish.
"It's a great feeling," the junior guard said about his strong homecoming performance that included 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. "I heard a lot of people in the stands cheering my name. It's just good to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. At the end of the game, I just wanted the ball in my hands to just knock down those free throws."
While McAlarney made the big plays down the stretch for Brey's team, it's hard to forget about sophomore forward Luke Harangody, who battled down low with Kansas State's Michael Beasley and matched the freshman phenom with a team-high 19 points and 14 rebounds. Beasley finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds in 31 minutes.
"He's definitely going to be a major factor in years to come," Harangody said of Beasley. "In the first half I don't think we bodied up on him well enough and then in the second half we started getting out on him a little more and getting physical with him."
And while Beasley didn't have his typical 30-point performance under the Big Apple's bright lights, Bill Walker came on strong in the second half after tallying just two points at halftime and actually gave the Wildcats the lead at one point in the second half.
"In the first half we settled for a lot of jumpers," the 6-foot-6 freshman said after finishing with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting and six rebounds. "We just tried to focus [after halftime] on pounding the ball inside, and I think that jumpstarted us."
But Kansas State couldn't make enough plays late in the game when it needed to and struggled to rebound the ball against a broad-shouldered Big East team that's known for its physical style of play down low.
"It's frustrating," Kansas State coach Frank Martin, who saw his team suffer a tough loss to Oregon in overtime last week and battle against the Irish before falling late. "It's just a matter of us continuing to work. There's a reason we have to play these kind of games."
But was even more disappointing -- for this reporter at least -- was the fact that Beasley couldn't even offer a few words on his performance or the game in general. According to a policy set out by the school's media relations department, all Kansas State freshmen are not allowed to conduct interviews with the media until they've completed their first academic semester. So for Beasley, that means he won't be talking to anyone until Dec. 16, a day before the Wildcats face Florida A&M in the K-State Holiday Classic at the brand new Sprint Center.
And while its understandable that the school has every intention of protecting its players and giving them a shot at playing basketball rather than just talking about it, why bring your team to New York City with all the national media in attendance and not let him say a single word?
Because the fact is, it's what every reader wants, and if the Wildcats knew what was good for them, they would let Beasley say a few words every now and then -- especially when you lead not just your team in scoring and rebounding but an entire nation.
NEW YORK -- Despite trailing by nine points with about five minutes left in the second half, Kansas State has fought its way back and got within two points of Notre Dame as the Wildcats continue to work the ball through Michael Beasley.
Kyle McAlarney just hit what could be the biggest shot of the game, as the junior guard drained a three from the top of the key to put the Fighting Irish up by five at 64-59.
And with a minute to go, Kansas State might have to resort to fouling to have any shot of winning this one.
NEW YORK -- One of my pet peeves is when the ref calls a charge when the defender is under the basket. I was always taught (when I was a ref in my feckless youth, or roughly ten years older than Josh) to make the defender step out and get a defensive position where the defense still matters. The refs just called a charge on McAlarney where the defender was on the other side of the basket, basically catching him as he landed after he already scored. That was a bad word call, although the ref at least counted the basket.
NEW YORK -- Not only is it dark and desolated up here in the eaves of the Garden, I'm working on a potential lawsuit (something Dolan and the Garden are quite familiar with) because of the heavily damaged electrical socket that I foolishly tried to plug the laptop into. Note to Mr. Dolan: Socket JK 39 is a fire hazard, a safety hazard and quite possibly could poke an eye out.
. . . Isn't having a McAlarney on Notre Dame rather redundant? It's like Yeshiva having a Goldstein. (Happy Hannukah, by the way. I lit my menorah last night to make up for the night I knew I would miss tonight and I gave Percy the Wonder Dog a butcher's bone before I left this morning. Thanks for asking.)
NEW YORK -- David and I have finally arrived at the the self-proclaimed world's greatest arena to see Notre Dame and Kansas St. We would have been here sooner, but we weren't.
We have great seats in the sense that we are at center court. However, we are about five miles away from the court, so that even a monster like Luke Harangody looks no bigger than a cockroach. It's almost like being here.
Where we are sitting, it is completely dark. The stat girl brought us the halftime numbers, but I can't read them. And I have good vision. Professor Scott probably doesn't know they are on the table. He might even think the stat girl was a guy.
At halftime, they showed Jim Valvano's "Don't Give Up" speech on the scoreboard. It's the first time I have ever seen the whole thing. Actually, I was too busy telling Josh and the Professor that I had never seen the whole thing, so I ended up missing bits of it. That means, I still haven't seen the whole thing.
I thought there might be more of a crowd for this game, since I expected ND to have a good following in NYC. They might, but it appears Irish fans had something else to do tonight, since the place is a little more than half full.
NEW YORK -- The second half has kicked off here at Madison Square Garden, and after keep things close with Kansas State, Notre Dame has now surged out to a 52-41 lead at the 12-minute mark.
The Wildcats are struggling to find their offense, and Michael Beasley is looking a little winded after losing the ball at the top of the key and letting Tory Jackson get an easy break-away layup to push the Irish's lead to nine. Beasley has had to shoulder much of the load for KSU in the first half in playing 18-plus minutes and tallying 15 points and 10 rebounds, but head coach Frank Martin needs someone else to step up if his team hopes to leave the Big Apple with a victory tonight.
NEW YORK - The rest of the Posting Up Posse has arrived after the Palmist and myself wolfed down some Blarney Rock sangwiches and made it over to the high-above-courtside P-Up Perch for the annual replay of the inspirational Jimmy V speech. My rough estimate is that I've seen the speech, in its entirety, upwards of 50 times. My cohorts say they haven't seen it more than 10 times combined. Sheltered youths.
We're starting to think the paranoid MSG staff (as described in a recnet article about covering the Knicks) may very well be CSTV.com readers. There is no other explanation for the distant, next borough seats they have given us in the hockey press box, than to assume that they read my blistering report card from the Coaches vs. Cancer games when I compared the Garden to a bad college bar. That was inappropriate, I now realize. And a complete insult to every bad college bar in America.
If I keep ripping on the smelly, rat-infested arena, I'm guessing they'll have to put us in a harness hanging from the Bill Bradley's retired number for the Big East Tournament. But I will not be censored! I will not conform to the MSG gestapo.
NEW YORK -- In what may have been one of the fastest first halves of basketball this season, Notre Dame has a 36-34 lead over Kansas State.
Luke Harangody has been dominant force at both ends of the court for the Fighting Irish, tallying 15 points and 10 rebounds in roughly 17 minutes of action. Senior forward Rob Kurz is currently Notre Dame's second leading scorer with six points but has only managed to grab one rebound in 13 minutes.
On the other side of things, Michael Beasley has played well so far in his first appearance under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, knocking down seven of his 13 attempts from the floor for 15 points in addition to 10 rebounds. Blake Young has been the other
Despite shooting only 38.1 percent in the first half (in comparison to KSU's 40.5 percent from the floor), Notre Dame has gotten after it on the glass, outrebounding the Wildcats, 27-21. Now the Irish just need to pick it up from the three-point line, where they've managed to make just one of 11 shots at a stellar 9.1 percent-rate.
Fortunately for Mike Brey and company, KSU isn't doing that much better from long range, as Frank Martin's team heads into halftime with a 25.0 percent clip (3-of-12).
NEW YORK -- After trailing 28-18 with a little less than 10 minutes left in the first half, Kansas State has just used a 10-2 run to get back in the game.
And between Michael Beasley's dominance on the interior and some solid perimeter shooting from senior guard Blake Young, Frank Martin's team is starting to get it together with about four minutes to go before halftime.
With 3:22 remaining, it's Notre Dame leading by four, 32-28.
NEW YORK -- In what's been an up-and-down game so far, Michael Beasley is doing his usual thing and dominating inside for Kansas State, but the Wildcats still find themselves down early with 15:37 left in the first half.
While Notre Dame has been able to match KSU stride for stride in the first four minutes of the game, both teams have looked a little sloppy with some careless turnovers in their half-court sets.
We'll see how the rest of this first half plays out after Luke Harangody just put the Fighting Irish up, 11-8, with a three-point play on a drive to the basket.
NEW YORK -- After a cross-country trip back to the East Coast, we're here at the world famous and nearly empty Madison Square Garden to see two great games tonight in the Jimmy V Classic. Joining me in the blogging banter and festivities will be Professor Scott and Mr. Jerry Palm, our RPI guru, bracketologist and BCS expert (for all you college football fans out there), so we should have some good commentary and analysis for you over the next five hours or so.
In our first game tonight, Kansas State makes a visit to the Big Apple to face Big East foe Notre Dame in an exciting matchup between two unranked teams. The Wildcats are coming off a tough 80-77 overtime loss to No. 17 Oregon at home but are hoping that freshman phenom Michael Beasley can lead them past another quality opponent tonight. The 6-foot-10 Washington, D.C., native, after all, is averaging a jaw-dropping 26.7 points and 15.0 rebounds per game and has been considered by many, including our Wooden Watch panel here at CSTV.com, as one of the favorites to garner Player of the Year honors by the end of the season. Though Beasley has nearly done anything and everything for the Wildcats so far, Jacob Pullen has been the other consistent scorer for the Wildcats, as the freshman point guard has averaged 13.6 points and 3.9 assists in 28.1 minutes of action through seven games.
But while head coach Frank Martin is still seeing his young team develop its identity during this early part of the season, Notre Dame is hoping to use a three-game winning streak and its experience in Rob Kurz, Kyle McAlarney and Luke Harangody for its first-ever appearance in the Jimmy V Classic. Harangody, in particular, has been the focal point at both ends of the floor for Mike Brey's team, leading the Fighting Irish with 17.3 points and 8.1 rebounds as just a sophomore, but McAlarney and Kurz have been almost as good. McAlarney, in fact, has tallied 14.1 points and 4.1 assists from his two-guard spot, and Kurz is having a very productive senior campaign with 13.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 27.3 minutes.
Meanwhile, if any of you are wondering when the last time these two teams actually got together, the press notes have indicated that it's been nearly 15 years since the Wildcats and Fighting Irish played on the same court, with Notre Dame winning a second round NIT matchup at the Joyce Center back on March 23, 1992.
So with that said, let's get ready for some more basketball.
