Kansas State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Hosts Lipscomb
Dec 20, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2002
Game No. 9
Lipscomb (3-6)
at Kansas State (4-4)
Friday, December 20, 2002
8 p.m. CST
Bramlage Coliseum (13,340)
Manhattan, Kan.
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Tip Time: 8:05 p.m. CST.
Television: None.
Satellite Coordinates: n/a
Radio: Live across the 27-station Mid America Sports Network. A live audio stream will also be available on www.k-statesports.com. Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play) and Ben Boyle (color) will call the action.
The Records: Kansas State, 4-4, is coming off a 79-66 victory at Wichita State on Saturday. The Wildcats have won two in a row and three of their last four. Lipscomb, 3-6, defeated New Orleans, 81-76, Sunday. The Bisons are 3-3 at home, 0-1 on the road, and 0-2 at neurtral sites.
K-State Coach Jim Wooldridge: Wooldridge (Louisiana Tech '77) is in his third season at Kansas State and owns a record of 28-38 (.424). The 2002-03 campaign marks Wooldridge's 16th as a collegiate head coach. He has amassed a 257-185 (.581) all-time record. In his first two seasons at K-State, Wooldridge lifted the Wildcats from the cellar of the Big 12 to a seventh-place finish in just his second year in Manhattan. Kansas State posted a 13-16 record in 2001-02.
Lipscomb Coach Scott Sanderson: Sanderson (South Carolina '84) is in his fourth season at Lipscomb. He has guided the Bisons to a 64-38 (.627) record during his tenure, including a 3-6 mark this season. Prior to taking the helm at Lipscomb, Sanderson served three season as head coach at Mobile, compiling an 84-25 (.771) mark. His career record stands at 148-63 (.701) entering Friday's contest.
The Series: First meeting
Wildcats open season-long, six-game homestand with Lipscomb Friday night
Kansas State (4-4), winners of two in a row and three of its last four games, opens its longest homestand of the season Friday night when the Wildcats return from a six-day break for final exams to host Lipscomb (3-6). The game, which is the first of a six-game stretch at home, is the nightcap of a women's-men's doubleheader at Bramlage Coliseum and tips at approximately 8:05 p.m.
The seventh-ranked K-State women open the evening's action against Western Michigan at 5:30 p.m.
Fans holding a ticket to the women's game may stay for the men's game and men's ticket-holders may come early for the women's game at no extra cost.
Fans with reserved seats to the women's game will have seating priority during the contest, then will be asked to move into student seating areas on the east side of Bramlage Coliseum for the men's game. Fans with men's tickets may sit in general admission sections for the women's game (Sections 1-2, 20-26), then move to their regular seats for the men's contest.
Cats and Bisons
Kansas State enters Friday night's tilt against Lipscomb on a bit of a roll. Since dropping its first two contests of the year, the Wildcats have won four of their last six games and have clawed their way back to .500 on the season at 4-4.
All four of K-State's victories this season have come by double digits, including both of last week's wins. K-State got off to a strong start against Texas-Pan American, running out to a 21-5 lead and coasting to a 102-68 victory over the Broncs.
The Wildcats then upped the ante with a 79-66 road win at Wichita State. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak versus the Shockers, ended an 11-game overall road slide and was K-State's first non-conference road win since 1999.
Lipscomb, which is playing just its third season in NCAA Division I after a long run of success at the NAIA level, enters Friday's game at 3-6 on the season and snapped a two-game losing streak with an 81-76 win over New Orleans at home on Sunday.
On the line
* Kansas State will be looking to equal its longest winning streak of the Jim Wooldridge era Friday night against Lipscomb. The Wildcats, who won consecutive games for the first time this year last week, will be out to string together its first three-game winning streak in two seasons. K-State has not won three straight since defeating Eastern Washington, Hampton and Iowa early in the 2000-01 campaign.
* K-State will be gunning for its third straight home win. The Wildcats have won eight of their last 10 dates in Bramlage Coliseum dating to last season.
* A win over Lipscomb Sunday would lift the Wildcats over .500 for the first time this year and the first time since K-State concluded its 2001-02 non-conference schedule with a 6-5 record.
* The Wildcats have not allowed a team to shoot 50 percent or better this season and looks to extend the streak to nine games. In fact, K-State has held six of its last seven opponents, including four in a row, below 40-percent shooting. Only BYU (47.7 percent) and Northwestern (46.5 percent) have managed to shoot better than 40 percent versus the Cats.
* Kansas State has outrebounded its last six opponents and will be out to make it seven in a row over Lipscomb. The Wildcats have not outrebounded seven straight opponents since it opened the 2000-01 season with the advantage on the glass in their first nine games.
A quick look at the Wildcats
Kansas State enters Saturday's game with a 4-4 record. All four of K-State's wins have come by double-digit margins, including a pair of 30-point victories. On the flip side, the Wildcats have struggled in close games, dropping all four of its losses by less than 10 points, including a pair of four-point defeats.
The Wildcats are shooting at nearly a 50-percent clip on the season (208-424, .491), including a scalding 58.9 percent (66-112) in its two games last week, and now rank second on the Big 12 in field goal percentage.
Defensively, K-State has held its last four opponents to a combined 34.8 percent (81-233) from the floor. Overall, foes are connecting on just 38.1 percent of their shots, with just two clubs eclipsing the 45-percent plateau. No team has managed to shoot 50 percent or better this season versus the Cats, who rank fourth in the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense.
Individually, K-State has put fourth a balanced attack on the offensive end. Seven different Wildcats have scored in double figures at least twice, with junior guard Frank Richards leading the way with six double-digit scoring games.
The Wildcats have also had five different players turn in high-scoring honors, with Richards and senior Gilson DeJesus being the only repeat performers in that category.
They are also the only two Wildcats to average double-figure points through the first eight games of the year. Richards, who averaged 17.5 points per game last week, leads the way with 13.0 scoring average. DeJesus is not far behind and has averaged 11.6 points per contest. Five other players are averaging between 9.1 and 6.8 points per game.
On the glass, senior Pervis Pasco has averaged 8.5 rebounds over the last four games and has taken over as the Cats' leading rebounder with 6.1 per game. Pasco notched his first double-double of the season at Wichita State, scoring 12 points and collecting 10 rebounds. It is the second time this year the senior has hauled down double-digit boards.
The book on Lipscomb
Despite their 3-6 record, Lipscomb has been a tough opponent this year as four of their six losses have come by fewer than 10 points. The Bisons are 2-2 in their last four games, including an impressive 81-76 victory over New Orleans on Sunday at home.
Lipscomb brings a high-scoring attack into Friday's contest as the Bisons are averaging 82.6 points per game.
Three players are scoring in double figures, including forward Chad Hartman (13.6 ppg) and guard Ryan Roller (13.4 ppg).
Hartman, who is averaging a double-double, is also Lipscomb's top rebounder. He has led the Bisons on the boards in seven of nine contests and is averaging 10.8 rebounds on the season.
The Bisons are coached by Scott Sanderson. He is in his fourth season at Lipscomb and owns a 64-38 (.627).
K-State vs. Lipscomb Series
* Friday's game is the first meeting between Kansas State and Lipscomb.
* While Lipscomb will officially join the Atlantic Sun Conference as a playing member in 2003-04, the Bisons are participating as a Division I Independent in 2002-03.
* Kansas State is 4-0 all-time against Division I Independents and 4-1 all-time against current members of the Atlantic Sun Conference.
* K-State defeated D-1 Independent Texas-Pan American, 102-68 last week.
* The Wildcats are 5-0 all-time versus teams from the state of Tennessee.
Streak Snapper
Kansas State's win at Wichita State snapped a number of negative streaks for the Wildcats.
* The victory ended a two-game losing streak against the Wichita State.
* The win snapped an 11-game overall road losing streak and was K-State's first victory on enemy turf since the Wildcats defeated Colorado, 72-67, on March 3, 2001.
* K-State's victory put an end to a a seven-game non-conference road slide and was the Cats' first non-conference road win since defeating Georgia State, 74-61, on Dec. 29, 1999.
* Coupled with the Wildcats' victory over Texas-Pan American, the win marked the first time Kansas State has won back-to-back games this season and leveled K-State's record at .500 for the first time this year.
Cats breaking out on offense
As Kansas State's new players continue to grow in head coach Jim Wooldridge's system, the Wildcats are beginning to put up some impressive numbers on the offensive end of the floor.
* K-State has averaged over 80 points per game in its last four outings, improving its season scoring average to 71.5 points per contest. By comparison, K-State averaged just 62.8 points in its first four games of the year and 68.4 points per game last season.
* The Wildcats shot 58. 9 percent from the field in its two games last week, including 60.7 percent against Texas-Pan American, its highest shooting percentage since hitting 66 percent against Coastal Carolina on Dec. 6, 1997.
* Overall, K-State is now shooting 49.1 percent from the field this season, which ranks second in the Big 12 Conference. The Cats have been even more impressive over the last four games, connecting at a 51.5-percent (120-for-233) clip.
Winning big
With its 34-point win over Texas-Pan American and its 13-point victory at Wichita State, Kansas State's average margin of victory in its four wins now stands at 23.8 points.
All four of K-State's victories this season have been by double digits, including wins in three of its last four games. Last season, Kansas State racked up just six double-digit victories, four of which occurred during non-conference play.
The best ever?
With its eight trifectas at Wichita State, Kansas State has now connected on at least eight 3-point baskets in five straight games. It is K-State's most productive stretch from beyond the arc ever. The last time Kansas State hit eight or more 3-pointers in four straight games occurred during the 1993-94 campaign, when the Cats buried eight or more in each of the first four games to open the season.
More from beyond the arc
A big part of Kansas State's offensive progress in recent weeks has been the Wildcats' improvement from 3-point distance.
* K-State shot nearly 60 percent (16-27) from 3-point range last week, including a season-high 67 percent (8-12) at Wichita State.
* The Wildcats are now shooting nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc this season (39.8 percent). That figure ranks second in the Big 12 Conference. By comparison, Kansas State shot just 34.8 percent last season and only 30.4 percent during its pre-conference schedule.
Defense coming together, too
Kansas State head coach Jim Wooldridge has been pleased with the Wildcats' effort on the defensive end to this point in the season as K-State continues to play his brand of hard-nosed defense.
* Kansas State has held 6 of 8 opponents under 70 points this year, including three below 60 points. BYU's 73 points in the season opener remains the opponent season-high point total.
* The Wildcats have yet to allow an opponent to shoot 50 percent or better. In fact, only two opponents -- BYU and Northwestern -- have managed to crack 40 percent from the floor.
* K-State has held each of its last four opponents below 40-percent shooting, including Arkansas-Pine Bluff (27.3) and Texas-Pan American (34.8), which were held under 35 percent.
* For the year, foes are connecting on just 38.1 percent of their attempts from the field. That figure ranks fourth in the Big 12.
Cats keeping the glass clean
Since being outrebounded in its first two games of the season, Kansas State has maintained the advantage on the glass in six consecutive games. It is the best rebounding string for K-State since the Wildcats opened the 2000-01 season by outboarding its first nine foes. Most recently, the Wildcats finished with a 13-rebound edge against Wichita State -- it third largest advantage of the season.
Better to give
Kansas State got into the holiday spirit a bit early last week, posting its two most productive games of the season in terms of assists.
The Wildcats opened the week against Texas-Pan American by combining for a season-high 22 assists. It was K-State's most assists since the Cats dished up 24 against Fairleigh Dickinson on Dec. 29, 2001.
Junior point guard Frank Richards led the charge with a career-tying high seven. It was the fourth straight game Richards has finished with at least five assists. Pervis Pasco and Jarrett Hart also had four assists each for the Wildcats.
K-State came back with its second-best assist performance of the season at Wichita State, totalling 17 on the night. Again Richards set the pace with seven.
The Wildcats' 39 assists in the last two games are just two less than K-State had it its previous three games combined (41).
On the season, K-State has totaled 116 assists, 19 more than its opponents, with over 55 percent of its field goals resulting from assists.
First half fortunes
Kansas State continues to put up strong first halves this season. And though the Wildcats haven't always started in the strongest of fashions, K-State has generally play solid over the opening 20 minutes, taking leads into the locker room in 6 of 8 contests.
Kansas State equalled its biggest halftime lead of the season against Texas-Pan American, racing to a 50-32 edge at the break. K-State's other double-digit halftime leads came against Michigan by 18 (41-23), Arkansas-Pine Bluff by 15 (38-23) and Wichita State by 13 (44-31).
The Wildcats' 29-28 halftime lead against Northwestern was its smallest of the season. K-State also led BYU, 36-31, at intermission.
Balancing Act
To say Kansas State has had a balanced score sheet in its first five games would be an understatement.
* K-State has had a different leading scorers in 5 of 8 games. Only Gilson DeJesus and Frank Richards have led the Wildcats in scoring more than once.
* Kansas State has just two player averaging double-digits points -- Richards at 13.0 ppg and DeJesus at 11.6 ppg. Overall, seven different K-Staters are averaging at least 6.8 points per game.
* Seven different Wildcats have scored in double figures this season.
* Kansas State has a season-high six players turn in double-digit scoring efforts against Texas-Pan American. However, eclipsed the 20-point mark.
* Kansas State had five different players hit double digits at Wichita State. It is the fourth time in eight games the Wildcats have achieved that feat.
* K-State' No. 3 and 5 scorers, Tim Ellis and Marques Hayden, have yet to start a game.
Nice Start
Kansas State produced one of its best starts in school history Wednesday versus Texas-Pan American. The Wildcats were a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor, including a 3-pointer by Gilson DeJesus, and 4 of 5 at the free throw line, outscoring the Broncs, 21-5, over the first 6:05 of the game.
UTPA actually opened the game by scoring five of the contest's first seven points before five different Cats scored during a 19-0 run -- K-State's longest of the year. It was the Wildcats' first double-digit run since K-State outscored the Michigan 14-4 over the final 5:05 of the first half at the Paradise Jam.
Kansas State went on to shot 67 percent during the half, making 20 of 30 attempts from the field, and finished the period with a first-half season-high 50 points.
Rare Air
Kansas State's overall offensive performance in its 102-68 victory over Texas-Pan American was its best in five years.
The Wildcats, who entered the game averaging 65.2 points, reached triple digits for the first time since defeating Missouri, 111-56, in Manhattan on Jan. 3, 1998.
K-State also shot a season-high 60.7 percent (37-for-61) from the field against the Broncs. It was the Wildcats' best shooting performance since connecting on 66 percent (33-50) of its attempts against Coastal Carolina on Dec. 6, 1997.
Combined with K-State's 58.7 percent shooting effort against Michigan, the Wildcats have now eclipsed the 50 percent mark twice this season. Last year, Kansas State shot better than 50 percent just seven times all year and only once in its first 10 games.
G for 3
Kansas State senior wingman Gilson DeJesus continues to be one of the nation's hottest 3-point shooters. He has connected on 26 of 46 (56.5 percent) attempts from beyond the arc.
* DeJesus, who drilled 7 of 12 from beyond the arc against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, connected on 5 of 6 from outside 19-9 at Wichita State.
* He now ranks first in the Big 12 in 3-point field goals made. He is also first in 3-point field goal percentage among players with at least 11 attempts.
* On the national level, DeJesus ranks 11th overall in 3-point percentage, but is first among players with at least 45 attempts.
* His career-best seven treys against UAPB are tied for the fourth-most on K-State's single-game chart.
* Twenty six of his 32 field goals this season have come from 3-point distance.
Don't foul him
Kansas State point guard Frank Richards has proved to be a steady asset at the free throw line in the early going. Entering K-State's game against Lipscomb, Richards is shooting a scalding 83.3 percent (20-for-24) from the stripe. Overall, Richards ranks eighth in the Big 12 Conference in free throw percentage. However, the junior is fifth among league players with at least 14 attempts.
Big shoes fit just fine
Concerns about Kansas State's production at the point following the graduation of Larry Reid appear to be evaporating as the Wildcats continue to obtain solid production from newcomer Frank Richards. In eight games all Richards has done is:
* Lead Kansas State in scoring with a 13.0 points per game average.
* Score in double digits in a team-high six games and lead the Wildcats in scoring three times.
* Shoot almost 55 percent from the field and a team-best 83.3 percent from the free throw line. His 54.9 shooting percentage ranks 12th in the Big 12, while his free throw percentage is eighth.
* Lead K-State in assists with 4.9 per contest, including a career-high seven versus Northwestern, Texas-Pan American and Wichita State. He ranks seventh in the Big 12 in assists and had paced the Wildcats in that category in 7 of 8 games.
* Haul down 3.1 rebounds per game.
* Pick off eight steals, the second-best total among Wildcat players.
Hart Attack
After struggling with ligament damage to his right thumb since the first half of the BYU game, junior Jarrett Hart finally had a break-out game against Texas-Pan American.
Hart, who averaged over 19 points a game and earned third team NJCAA All-American honors as a sophomore last season at Arkansas-Fort Smith, poured in a team a career-high 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting, including a 3-for-3 effort from beyond the arc, against the Broncs.
It was just his second double-figure scoring outing of the season (he had 11 points versus Michigan), and the first time he has paced the Cats on the scoreboard.
In fact, Hart's 19 points were nearly double his production in K-State's previous three games combined.
Stepping up
Since getting off to a slow start at the Paradise Jam, senior Matt Siebrandt has really stepped up his game.
* Siebrandt has scored in double figures in three of the last six games, including a season-high 14 points on 7 of 11 shooting at Wichita State. He also had eight points against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and nine points at UW-Green Bay.
* The senior connected on 12 of 21 attempts last week -- a shooting percentage of 57 percent -- and averaged 13.5 points.
* Siebrandt also had a solid week on the boards versus UTPA and Wichita State, hauling down eight rebounds against the Broncs and tying a career high with nine caroms versus the Shockers.
* In the last five games, Siebrandt has hauled down an average of 7.0 rebounds and has three games with at least eight boards.
Get it outta here
Pervis Pasco continues to be a defensive force down low. After tying a career high with five blocks against Michigan, Pasco added three more versus UTPA and another at Wichita State. He is now averaging 1.50 per game to rank ninth in the Big 12. The junior is also moving up K-State's career blocks chart and ranks eighth all-time with 61. With 13 more he will move into a tie with Kevin Howell in the No. 7 position.
Double trouble
Pervis Pasco collected his first double-double of the season and the 11 of his K-State career at Wichita State last Saturday. Pasco finished with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, just missing out on season-high numbers in both categories.
For the week, Pasco hauled down 18 rebounds and has taken over the team lead on the boards with 6.1 rebounds per game.
Over the last four games, Pasco has averaged 8.5 rebounds, including a season-high 11 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Last season, the forward averaged 8.4 rebounds per game.
Super sixth-man
Junior college transfer Tim Ellis may still be getting used to Kansas State's offensive sets. But, the Seattle, Wash., native continues to put up solid numbers, despite coming off the bench.
Ellis, who has yet to start, is third on the team in scoring, averaging 9.1 points, and Saturday came off the bench to pour in 15 at Wichita State.
It marked the third double-digit scoring game of the season for the senior, who scored 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting against BYU and 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting against Michigan.
And despite launching most of his shots from outside the paint, Ellis is tied for the second on the team in shooting percentage among players with at least 10 attempts, converting 54.9 percent of his tries from the field this season.
Ellis has also fared well from beyond the arc, connecting on 11 of his 22 attempts (50.0 percent) to rank second on the team and fourth in the Big 12 in that category.