SE: Stokes Helping Strengthen K-State MBB Bench
Feb 16, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
As Kamau Stokes works his way back to normal each game, K-State's bench will only get stronger. Depth, an issue at times this season, will become more manageable, maybe even another strength.
K-State's 82-72 win at Oklahoma State on Wednesday is a prime example.
The Wildcats' bench totaled 24 points — the most since collecting 30 against USC Upstate — to the Cowboys' 15. Stokes, who played 25 minutes in his fourth game back from a foot injury, led the way with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range.
"Our bench was just huge and that has definitely not been a strength of ours," K-State head coach Bruce Weber said after the Wildcats' second-straight Big 12 road win. "When you have Kamau coming off the bench, obviously that helps."
Stokes' boost, which included three assists, three rebounds and a steal, helped improved K-State's record to 7-1 this season when its bench outscores the opponent's reserves.
"He gives us some leadership, some experience off the bench," junior guard Barry Brown said of Stokes. "He has been here for a few years now. Having him come off the bench and still take a leadership role out there on the court is big time."
Weber, who's constantly reminded Stokes that he needs to be patient in his return to full strength, said Wednesday was a great step forward for the entire team.
"It's great. He was very down Saturday night after the Texas Tech (game). I just said, 'You've got to understand, this is a process. You've got to work at it and put the time in it.' He was there Sunday on his own, he was with our trainers, with the weight coach, he was shooting, he stayed extra," Weber said. "Obviously it paid off. He gives us some veteran experience, especially down the stretch, getting it in the right places."
Against Oklahoma State, Stokes set the tone for the rest of K-State's bench.
Freshman forward Levi Stockard III notched career highs with 23 minutes and eight points. The 6-foot-8 native of St. Louis, Missouri, made 3-of-4 from the field, including an elbow jumper. He also hit both of his free throw attempts and grabbed five defensive rebounds for the Wildcats.
"Levi gave us a spark off the bench. He came off the bench and had some good defense as well. I think our bench played well," Brown said. "Levi hit some shots, found the right spots, followed through, hit some free throws and played good defense. We had a good bench effort."
Amaad Wainright chipped in five points off the bench for K-State. The athletic junior went 2-for-2 from the field, outrunning the defense for an easy transition layup and also knocking down a three.
Even James Love III, a 6-foot-10 redshirt freshman forward who played only five minutes, blocked a pair of shots down low for the Wildcats in the first half.
"Everybody just played well, it's that simple, especially off the bench," Stokes said. "We talk a lot about our bench play and I felt like everybody came off the bench and gave a spark."
Now, Stokes looks to help K-State's bench be a consistently positive factor. K-State (18-8, 7-6), in sole possession of fourth place and one game back of third in the Big 12 standings, hosts Iowa State (13-12, 4-9) on Saturday at noon on ESPNU.
"Every game from here on out is a big game for us," Stokes said. "We know what we've got to do to take care of business."
As Kamau Stokes works his way back to normal each game, K-State's bench will only get stronger. Depth, an issue at times this season, will become more manageable, maybe even another strength.
K-State's 82-72 win at Oklahoma State on Wednesday is a prime example.
The Wildcats' bench totaled 24 points — the most since collecting 30 against USC Upstate — to the Cowboys' 15. Stokes, who played 25 minutes in his fourth game back from a foot injury, led the way with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range.
"Our bench was just huge and that has definitely not been a strength of ours," K-State head coach Bruce Weber said after the Wildcats' second-straight Big 12 road win. "When you have Kamau coming off the bench, obviously that helps."
Stokes' boost, which included three assists, three rebounds and a steal, helped improved K-State's record to 7-1 this season when its bench outscores the opponent's reserves.
"He gives us some leadership, some experience off the bench," junior guard Barry Brown said of Stokes. "He has been here for a few years now. Having him come off the bench and still take a leadership role out there on the court is big time."
Weber, who's constantly reminded Stokes that he needs to be patient in his return to full strength, said Wednesday was a great step forward for the entire team.
"It's great. He was very down Saturday night after the Texas Tech (game). I just said, 'You've got to understand, this is a process. You've got to work at it and put the time in it.' He was there Sunday on his own, he was with our trainers, with the weight coach, he was shooting, he stayed extra," Weber said. "Obviously it paid off. He gives us some veteran experience, especially down the stretch, getting it in the right places."
Against Oklahoma State, Stokes set the tone for the rest of K-State's bench.
Freshman forward Levi Stockard III notched career highs with 23 minutes and eight points. The 6-foot-8 native of St. Louis, Missouri, made 3-of-4 from the field, including an elbow jumper. He also hit both of his free throw attempts and grabbed five defensive rebounds for the Wildcats.
"Levi gave us a spark off the bench. He came off the bench and had some good defense as well. I think our bench played well," Brown said. "Levi hit some shots, found the right spots, followed through, hit some free throws and played good defense. We had a good bench effort."
Amaad Wainright chipped in five points off the bench for K-State. The athletic junior went 2-for-2 from the field, outrunning the defense for an easy transition layup and also knocking down a three.
Even James Love III, a 6-foot-10 redshirt freshman forward who played only five minutes, blocked a pair of shots down low for the Wildcats in the first half.
"Everybody just played well, it's that simple, especially off the bench," Stokes said. "We talk a lot about our bench play and I felt like everybody came off the bench and gave a spark."
Now, Stokes looks to help K-State's bench be a consistently positive factor. K-State (18-8, 7-6), in sole possession of fourth place and one game back of third in the Big 12 standings, hosts Iowa State (13-12, 4-9) on Saturday at noon on ESPNU.
"Every game from here on out is a big game for us," Stokes said. "We know what we've got to do to take care of business."
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