Wildcat men's basketball team opens two-game road swing Saturday at Iowa State
Feb 21, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 21, 2003
Game No. 25
Kansas State (12-12/3-8)
at Iowa State (12-10/2-9)
Saturday, February 22, 2003
12:45 p.m. CST
Hilton Coliseum (14,092)
Ames, Iowa
Complete K-State at Iowa State Game Notes in PDF Format
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Tip Time: 12:47 p.m. CST
Television: ESPN+Plus (ESPN Regional Television). Big 12 syndicated telecast. Available on WIBW-TV (CBS) in Topeka and Manhattan, KSAS (Fox) in Wichita, and WDAF (Fox) in Kansas City. Fred White (play-by-play) and Reid Gettys (color) will serve as the on-air talent.
Satellite Coordinates: Galaxy 4R, Transponder 18 (C-band)
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 Stan Weber (color) will call the action.
The Records: Kansas State, 12-12 (3-8), suffered its fifth single-digit loss since the start of conference play, falling 66-57 to Baylor Wednesday at home. Iowa State dropped its fourth straight on Wednesday, falling 66-54 at Texas A&M.
K-State Coach Jim Wooldridge: Wooldridge (Louisiana Tech '77) is in his third season at Kansas State and owns a record of 36-46 (.439). Wooldridge, who has K-State in the midst of its best season since the 1998-99 campaign, is in his 16th year as a collegiate head coach. He has amassed a 265-193 (.579) 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.
Iowa State Coach Larry Eustachy: Eustachy (Long Beach State '79) is in his fifth season at Iowa State and has guided the Cyclones to a 96-55 (.636) record. The 2000 and 2001 Big 12 Coach of the year, he is a 13-year coaching veteran and owns a 255-141 (.644) career record.
The Series: K-State leads, 121-71.
Kansas State open two-game road swing Saturday at Iowa State in ESPN+Plus tilt
Kansas State, 12-12 (3-8 Big 12), looks to end a two game losing streak and in the process pick up its first conference road win of the season Saturday, when the Wildcats travel to Hilton Coliseum to take on Iowa State. The game, K-State's first of two straight on the road, tips at 12:47 p.m. and can be seen live on WIBW-TV (CBS) in Topeka and Manhattan, KSAS (Fox) in Wichita, and WDAF (Fox) in Kansas City. Fred White will call the action with Reid Gettys providing the color analysis.
The Wildcats continued their string of hard-luck Wednesday night at home against Baylor, suffering a 66-57 loss to the Bears. It was the fifth set-back by less than 10 points since the start of Big 12 play for Kansas State. Matt Siebrandt hit double figures for the ninth time in Big 12 play with 18 points and Frank Richards added 11 points to lead K-State, which was within four points with a minute to play but never led down the stretch.
Iowa State, 12-10 (2-9 Big 12), will be looking to snap out of a funk of its own. The Cyclones dropped their fourth straight Wednesday at Texas A&M, 66-44. Jake Sullivan led the way with 15 points and Adam Haluska added 12 for ISU, which led 30-29 at the break, but shot just 30.8 percent in the second half. Iowa State is 10-4 on the season at home.
K-State leads the all-time series, 121-71, but is 44-41 in Ames and has not won at the Hilton Coliseum since 1996.
On the line for K-State
* Kansas State will be looking to end a two-game losing streak and avoid its second three-game slide of the season.
* The Wildcats will be out to end a 13-game losing skid in Big 12 road games (dating to last season).
* The Wildcats are looking to end a six-game slide against Iowa State in Ames. K-State's last victory at Hilton Coliseum was a 92-87 overtime win over the then-No. 23 Cyclones. It is also the Cats' last road win over a ranked opponent.
A quick look at the Wildcats
Easily the most balanced offensive club in the Big 12 Conference, Kansas State is the only team in the league without a player averaging at least 12 points per game. However, the Wildcats are the also the only team in the Big 12 to have all five starters scoring in double figures on average.
As a team, K-State ranks ninth in the Big 12 in scoring offense with 70.3 points per game, but is one of the league's better shooting teams. Through 24 games, the Wildcats rank third in field goal percentage at 46.3 percent and fifth in 3-point shooting at 37.2 percent.
Defensively, Kansas State has also been tough, holding opponents to just 65.1 points per game on 39.8 percent shooting. Both figures rank third in the Big 12 this season.
Senior forward Gilson DeJesus, who ranked No. 4 in the nation on this week's NCAA's 3-point field goal percentage chart, is Kansas State's leading scorer with 11.3 points per game.
Fast on his heals is senior forward Matt Siebrandt, who has hit double figures in 9 of 11 Big 12 games. He averages 11.0 points per game.
Junior guard Tim Ellis (10.4 ppg), Pervis Pasco (10.1 ppg) are junior guard Frank Richards (10.0 ppg) are also averaging double digits for the Cats.
On the glass, Pasco has been the main man for K-State. One of the Big 12's top rebounders, he averages 7.9 boards per game to rank eighth in the conference. DeJesus (5.5 rpg), Siebrandt (5.1 rpg) and freshman forward Marques Hayden are also averaging at least five caroms per game.
Richards, who has led K-State in assists in 20 of 24 games, makes the offense go. He ranks fourth in the Big 12 in assists with 5.3 per game. Last week, Richards averaged 15.5 points per game and had a 10:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Off the bench, the Cats have turned to Hayden and junior guard Jarrett Hart. Hayden has scored in double figures in eight games and averages 7.3 points. Hart, a starter in K-State's first 11 contests, averages 7.5 points overall but 8.1 points since the start of conference play.
K-State lately
Kansas State, which opened the season at 9-4 for its best non-conference record since the 1998-99 campaign, started Big 12 play with a 2-2 record before closing out the first half with four straight losses, including three during an eight-day run that saw the Cats face three top 12 opponents.
Still, K-State held its own during the stretch, dropping a pair of single-digit losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State and giving KU all it wanted before fading in the final seven minutes.
It was enough to maintain the squad's confidence as the Cats avenged a six-point loss from earlier in conference play with a 62-54 win over Colorado in Bramlage Coliseum before dropping back-to-back heart-breakers at No. 21 Missouri, 71-63, and vs. Baylor, 66-57.
Since the start of Big 12 play, K-State's average margin of victory in its three wins stands at 18.7 points. And though the Wildcats have dropped eight conference games, five have been by single digits, including 3 of 5 road losses.
The book on Iowa State
Like Kansas State, Iowa State is a team searching to get things back on track. The Cyclones lost for the fourth straight time on Wednesday night slipping to 12-10 (2-9 Big 12) with their 66-54 loss at Texas A&M.
And the similarities don't end there. ISU averages 70.2 points and shoots 46.3 percent from the field on average. Both figures rank just one spot below K-State in the Big 12 rankings. On defense, the Cyclones are yielding 66.4 points, again just one spot below the Wildcats, on 41.9 percent shooting.
Junior guard Jake Sullivan averages 18.1 points per game and has been the Cyclones' main weapon. JC transfer Jackson Vroman (11.7 ppg) and freshman guard Adam Haluska (10.3 ppg) are also averaging double-digit points. Vroman (8.5 rpg) is Iowa State's top rebounder.
K-State vs. Baylor Series Notes
* The Kansas State-Iowa State series dates to 1909, with the Wildcats holding a 121-71 edge.
* K-State is 44-41 all-time in Ames, but has not won at Hilton Coliseum since 1996, dropping six straight.
* Iowa State has won nine of the 12 meetings since the two schools joined the Big 12.
* Since joining the Big 12, eight of the 12 games have been decided by single digits.
* K-State head coach Jim Wooldridge is 1-3 all-time vs. Iowa State.
* Saturday's game is the latest first game of conference play between the two teams since the two sides met for the first time during the 1956-57 season on Feb. 23, 1957.
More from the Baylor game
* For the second straight game, K-State trailed by just four points with less than 2:00 to play but came up short, this time 66-57.
* Kansas State's nine-point loss was the Wildcats' ninth this season by less than 10 points and K-State's fifth single-digit loss since the start of Big 12 Conference action.
* K-State held Baylor to just 38.2 percent shooting, marking the 15th time this season that an opponent has failed to shoot at least 40 percent from the field.
* The Wildcats were held below 60 points for just the second time in the last 20 games.
* K-State trailed 32-29 at intermission, marking just the second time this season that the Wildcats have trailed at halftime of a home game.
* Kansas State has yet to come from behind to win when trailing at the half this year (0-9).
* Frank Richards finished with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists. It is the third straight game that he has scored in double figures.
* Matt Siebrandt's 18 points marked the eighth-straight game he has scored in double digits and was his best outing since pouring in 23 vs. Oklahoma on Feb. 1. The senior has now posted double-figure points in 9 of 11 Big 12 games.
* Marques Hayden came off the bench to score eight points and pick up a team-high nine rebounds. The nine rebounds are a conference-game high for the Freshman and just one carom off a career-best.
Richards Big 12 Rookie of the Week
Kansas State picked up its second Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week award Monday afternoon as junior guard Frank Richards was selected as the conference's top newcomer for the week ending Feb. 16 by a media panel.Richards easily had his best week since the start of Big 12 action, scoring in double figures in consecutive conference games for the first time this season and averaging 15.5 points. The junior also dished out 5.5 assists and hauled down 3.5 rebounds per game.
Richards opened the week by scoring 11 points, grabbing a career-high six rebounds and dishing out eight assists in K-State's 62-54 victory over Colorado. He was also a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line against the Buffs and had no turnovers in 27 minutes of work.
At No. 21 Missouri on Saturday, Richards had perhaps his finest offensive performance of the season, equaling a career best with 20 points, including tying a career-high with two 3-pointers, and again going perfect at the free throw line (6-for-6) in 28 minutes.
Rocky road
Kansas State is looking to end a 13-game losing skid in Big 12 road games. K-State has not won a conference game away from Bramlage Coliseum since defeating Colorado, 72-67, in Boulder on March 3, 2001.
The Wildcats' 13-game Big 12 road losing streak is nothing new. Since the Wildcats joined the Big 12, K-State is just 4-49 (.075) in conference road games and has had three losing streaks of 10 or more games. The Cats' also dropped 13 consecutive Big 12 road games between Jan 12, 1997 and Jan. 31, 1998.
Not our favorite day of the week
Kansas State will be looking to end a five-game losing streak on Saturdays. The Wildcats are just 2-8 on Saturdays this season compared to 10-4 the rest of the week.
Supporting the Wildcats
With attendance down in many locales, Kansas State fans have reversed that trend in Manhattan.
Kansas State recorded its second sellout of the season as a crowd of 13,340 was in attendance for its game against Kansas. It is the first time K-State has had two sellouts the same season since the 1993-94 campaign, when the Wildcats had capacity crowds against Kansas (Feb. 12, 1994) and Oklahoma (Feb, 19, 1994).
Including the announced crowd of 6,576 for the Baylor game, Kansas State's per-game attendance figure now stands at 6,768 through 14 games, an increase of 853 per game or just under 15 percent over last season's home average.
Wildcats continue RPI Climb
Despite dropping eight of 11 games since the start of Big 12 Conference play, Kansas State continues to climb in both the RPI and Sagarin rankings. Heading into the week, the Wildcats' RPI rating has jumped all the way to 84, while its Sagarin rating has leaped to 69. On Dec. 30, K-State's RPI was 145, while its Sagarin rating was 106. Last season, Kansas State ended the year with an RPI of 127. The Cats' final Sagarin rating for 2001-02 was 120.
Positive trends
Kansas State is just 3-8 since the start of Big 12 play, including five losses versus top-25 opposition. Nevertheless, the Wildcats continue to show solid improvement under third-year head coach Jim Wooldridge. At 12-12, K-State has a .500 record through 24 games for the first time since going 15-9 during the 1998-99 campaign. The Wildcats won just nine of their first 24 in Wooldridge's first season before capturing 11 of 24 out of the gate last year.K-State has also strung together an eight-game win streak this season, its longest since winning the first nine games of the 1997-98 campaign.
Home improvement
Kansas State is 10-4 at home this season, which includes a nine-game winning streak. The Wildcats' victory over Nebraska back on Jan. 22 clinched K-State's 57th consecutive home winning season. It is also the 10th time in the last 12 years that K-State has won at least nine games on its home court.
Dating to last season, the Cats have won 16 of their last 21 games in Bramlage. Overall, K-State is 30-16 at home under head coach Jim Wooldridge.
K-State heating up at foul line
Kansas State, the Big 12's least efficient free-throw shooting team, is turning the corner. The Wildcats made nearly 83 percent of their attempts last week, connecting on 24 of 29 freebies, including a season-high 83.3 percent on 10 of 12 shooting against Colorado. K-State was also 14 of 17 (82.4 percent) at the stripe vs. Missouri and made its first five vs. Baylor. In the Cats' previous 21 games, Kansas State had only hit on 80 percent of its free throws just once (20 of 25/80 percent vs. Texas-Pan American on Dec. 11, 2002). Over the last three games, K-State is 33 of 47 (70.2 percent) at the stripe compared to 62.7 percent on the year.
Crucial to the cause
Of all the statistics in college basketball, none is more telling for Kansas State than free throws. The Wildcats are a sparkling 12-2 with more free throw attempts than their opponents. When taking the same number or fewer free throws, K-State is 0-10. On the rare occasion that Kansas State shoots over 70 percent, the Cats are 4-2.
Winning big
Ten of Kansas State's 12 wins this season, including 2 of 3 Big 12 victories, have been by double figures. After a pair of 24-point wins over Texas Tech and Nebraska and an eight-point win over Colorado, the Cats' average margin of victory in its 12 wins stands at 19.3 points.
The Wildcats' only two victories by fewer than 10 points came against Monmouth, 73-64, as the Hawks hit an uncontested layup as time expired and against Colorado as Michel Morandais scored the final points of the game at the free throw line with less than 10 seconds to play.
Last season, Kansas State racked up just six double-digit victories. Of the six, only K-State's wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and Texas A&M were by more than 20 points.
Heart-break City
Even in defeat, Kansas State has been a gritty squad. Of K-State's 12 losses, nine have come by fewer than 10 points, including five of its eight conference losses. The common denominator in all nine losses -- slow starts and playing on the road. Kansas State is 0-9 when trailing at the half this season and just 2-8 in away/neutral site games. Three of K-State's four home losses this season have been by less than five points, including a two-point overtime loss vs. Oklahoma.
70 points key number for Cats
Through its first 24 games, Kansas State has been virtually unbeatable when the Cats score at least 70 points. K-State lost for the first time when topping 70 against Oklahoma in a 91-89 overtime loss to the then-No. 6-ranked Sooners. Overall, the Cats are 9-1 when scoring at least 70. On the flip side, K-State is 3-11 when scoring less than 70.
Seniors playing with style
Kansas State's seniors continue to play a huge role in the success of the 2002-03 team.
* Through 24 games, Kansas State's senior class his provided 53 percent of the Wildcats scoring, while collecting 54 percent of the team's rebounds.
* The quartet has also had a huge impact in K-State's 10 Big 12 games, providing 50 percent of the offense and 53 percent of the team's boards.
* Wildcat seniors hold down three of K-State's top four spots in scoring.
* Kansas State's top three rebounders, Pasco, DeJesus and Siebrandt, are all seniors.
* K-State's top two shooters in terms of percentage are both seniors.
Shooting for the stars
Kansas State's most surprising statistic of the season just may be its shooting from the field, where the Wildcats are hitting at a 46.3-percent clip to rank third in the Big 12.
* Kansas State's field goal shooting percentage is the best by a Wildcat team in over 14 years.
* The last time K-State shot over 47 percent in a season occurred during the 1988-89 campaign, when the Cats shot a combined 48.8 percent during a 31-game schedule that included an NCAA Tournament berth.
* K-State has not shot over 50 percent in a season since the 1987-88 Elite Eight squad netted 50.6 percent of its attempts.
* From 3-point range, the Wildcats are shooting 37.2 percent and rank fifth in the Big 12.
* K-State's 3-point shooting percentage is its best since the 1989-90 team connected on 39 percent.
Boarding with the best
Kansas State's +3.9 rebound margin on the season is not only its best of the Jim Wooldridge era, it is the second best for any K-State team in a decade. Since the 1992-93 team posted an average rebound margin of +5.1 rebounds per game, only the 1998-99 squad's +8.0 rebound margin is better.
Good if it goes
Kansas State scoring average of 70.3 points per game may note be an eye-popping figure. Still, it marks just the second time in the last 11 years that the Wildcats have averaged over 70 points per game. K-State concluded the 1997-98 campaign averaging 74.5 points per game. Prior to that, the Wildcats had not scored over 70 points on average since the 1991-91 club scored an average of 71.6 points per game.
Spreading the wealth
Game-in, game-out this season, Kansas State continues to exhibit a balanced offensive attack. K-State's performance against Colorado was a perfect example as five Wildcats netted double-figure points with three players finishing with 11 and two others tallying 10. Gilson DeJesus, the only K-Stater to score in single digits, scored nine points. It marked the 12th time in the last 15 games and the 16th time overall this season the Wildcats have had at least four players score in twin figures. Last year, K-State had four players score in double digits in the same game just 14 times during its entire 29-game schedule.
Team concept
Kansas State has been the epitome of a team throughout the 2002-03 season. The Wildcats are the only squad in the Big 12 to have all five starters averaging double-figure points per game. K-State is also the league's only squad without a player averaging at least 12 points per contest.
The Cats have also been balanced across the floor. On the outside, Gilson DeJesus is shooting 46.9 percent from 3-point distance, while Tim Ellis is hitting at a 46.8-percent clip from the field. However, down low, Matt Siebrandt (53.8 percent), Pervis Pasco (52.0 percent) and Marques Hayden (50.4 percent) are all shooting over 50 percent from the floor.
Overall this season, the Wildcats have had seven different players lead the team in scoring at least once.As a team the Wildcats are connecting on over 46 percent of their shots this season, which ranks third in the Big 12.
Early leads lead to victory
Kansas State has been a first-half team for much of the season and has led at halftime in 15 of 24 contests, including 12 of 14 home games.
Against Kansas at home, the Wildcats led 36-35 at the break for K-State's first halftime lead over the Jayhawks since leading 31-30 in Lawrence on Feb. 22, 1997. The last time Kansas State held a halftime edge against the Jayhawks in Manhattan was a 30-28 lead on Feb. 2, 1994.
Getting off to a fast start has been key for K-State, which is 12-3 when leading at halftime and a perfect 9-0 when holding a double-digit edge.
By contrast, Kansas State has yet to come from behind when trailing at the half this season, dropping all nine games when behind at the break, including seven Big 12 losses.
Cool Cats, lately
Despite their hot shooting for most of the season, Kansas State's torrid touch has cooled of late. The Wildcats have shot a better percentage from the field that three of their last five opponents. However, K-State has not topped 45 percent in a game since shooting 50.8 percent from the field vs. Oklahoma on Feb. 1. In their last three games, the Cats are a combined 69 of 175 (39.4 percent) from the field, including a paltry 11 of 52 (21.2 percent) from 3-point distance.
Still one of the Big 12's best
In spite of the shooting woes in the last three games, Kansas State has been one of the Big 12's better shooting teams this season.
* K-State has connected on 46.3 percent of its shots this year and ranks third in the Big 12 conference in field goal percentage. Last year, the Wildcats ranked ninth in the league after shooting 44.1 percent.
* Kansas State has five players shooting at least 46 percent from the floor with Matt Siebrandt ranking among the top 10 shooters in the Big 12.
* Kansas State has shot 45 percent or better in nine of its last 18 games, including six games over 50 percent. The Cats are 7-2 when shooting better than 45 percent.
* K-State has shot better than 40 percent in 20 of 24 games and 39 percent or better in three others.
From beyond the arc
Prior to its recent 3-point shooting drought, Kansas State had been ranked among the nation's top 3-point shooting teams for the majority of the season. In fact, K-State was ranked No. 12 in 3-point shooting percentage in last week's NCAA rankings. Below is a look at the Cats' fortunes from beyond the arc.
* Kansas State has hit at least six 3-point baskets in 16 of the last 21 games.
* The Wildcats rank fifth the Big 12 in 3-point shooting at 37.2 percent for the season. By comparison, Kansas State shot just 34.8 percent last year.
* Gilson DeJesus (1st) and Tim Ellis (12th), rank among the top 3-point shooters in the Big 12.
Cats taking aim at 3-point records
The 2002-03 Wildcats are making a strong run at Kansas State's 3-point record book. Through 24 contests, K-State is averaging just over six triples per game and has connected on 37.2 percent of its attempts from beyond the arc.
At their current pace, the Cats would end the regular season with 175 3-pointers, the fourth most ever. The school record for treys was set by the 1993-94 squad, which hit 246 3-balls during their 34-game schedule -- an average of 7.2.
The 1988 team owns the school record for 3-point shooting percentage, hitting 48.4 percent on 179-for-370 shooting.The Cats have already established themselves as one of the best 3-point shooting teams in school history, canning at least six 3-pointers in 16 of the last 21 games, including a run of seven straight with at least seven from Nov. 30-Dec. 22.
Still, K-State has found the going tough over the last three games, connecting on just 11 of 52 (21.2 percent) from 3-point distance.
K-State defense staying stingy
Offensive woes may be plaguing the Wildcats in recent games, however K-State's defense remains as stingy as ever. Kansas State enters Saturday's game ranked third in the Big 12 in scoring defense (65.1 ppg) and third in field goal percentage defense (39.8 percent).
* Kansas State has held 16 of 24 opponents under 70 points this year, including eight below 60 points and three under 50 points.
* Only five opponents -- BYU, Northwestern, Kansas (twice), Texas A&M and Oklahoma-- have managed to crack 45 percent from the floor. In fact, K-State has held 13 of its last 20 opponents and 15 of 24 overall below 40-percent shooting.
Better on the boards
Kansas State may have lost the battle of the boards in four straight heading into Saturday's game at Iowa State, including twice being outrebounded by just two boards, but rebounding remains one of the biggest areas of improvement for the Wildcats. K-State is +4.0 in rebounding margin on the year after concluding the 2001-02 campaign ranked at -1.2.
Kansas State has posted double-figure rebound margins in eight games, while being outboarded by double digits just once. In fact, six of the 10 games the Cats have been edged on the glass have been by margins of three or less.
Lethal weapon
Kansas State senior forward Gilson DeJesus continues to be one of the nation's best 3-point shooters. He has connected on 67 of 143 attempts (46.9 percent) from beyond the arc and leads the Big 12 in percentage made.
* DeJesus, whose 67 treys are third in the Big 12, entered the week ranked No. 4 on the NCAA's 3-point shooting percentage chart.
* The senior was a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc against Oregon State, tying a Big 12 Conference record for 3-point percentage.
* 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.
* His career-best seven treys against UAPB are tied for the fourth-most in a game at K-State.
* An amazing 67 of his 93 field goals (72.1 percent) this season have come from 3-point distance.
* DeJesus has made as many 3-pointers as Kansas State's next three players combined. Tim Ellis (39), Frank Richards (13) and Jarrett Hart (15) have totaled 67 treys between them.
DeJesus climbing 3-point charts
Gilson DeJesus continues to take aim at K-State's 3-point field goal records. Here's a look at where the senior stands on the Cats' game, season and career charts:
* Seven 3-pointers against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Dec. 4, 2002, ranks as the fourth-most on K-State's single-game chart, while his 12 attempts against the Golden Lions ranks eighth.
* Six-for-six 3-point shooting against Oregon State tied a Big 12 record for single game 3-point shooting percentage.
* With 67 treys this season, he ranks eighth on K-State's single-season chart.
* DeJesus is four 3-point attempts short of reaching the Cats' single-season top 10.
* His 103 career triples is tied for seventh all-time at Kansas State.
* If the season ended today, DeJesus would close out the year ranked No. 4 in single-season 3-point shooting percentage and No. 3 in career 3-point shooting percentage at Kansas State.
Siebrandt having career year
Senior Matt Siebrandt is having the best statistical season of his career has been a constant force down low for the Wildcats.
* Siebrandt is averaging 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds, considerably more than the 7.9 points and 3.8 rebounds he averaged as a junior.
* Siebrandt has scored in double figures in 12 of the his last 14 games, including a season-high 23 points on 9 of 13 shooting against Oklahoma, 21 points on 8 of 10 attempts vs. Oregon State, 18 points on 8 of 9 shooting against Nebraska, 18 points on 9 of 14 shooting against Baylor and 17 points on 8 of 12 at Oklahoma State.
* In K-State's last eight games, Siebrandt averaged 15.3 points on 58.2 percent shooting.
* In 11 Big 12 games, Siebrandt has scored in double figures in nine times, averaging a team-best 12.6 points on 55 percent shooting.
Siebrandt has history of fast finishes
While most player seem to wear down toward the end of the season, Matt Siebrandt has a history of playing his best.
* During 2002-03, Siebrandt averaged a solid 9.4 points per game on 52.4 percent shooting in non-conference games but has been considerably better during the second half, scoring 12.6 points per game and shooting 55 percent from the floor during Big 12 play.
* As a junior, Siebrandt averaged 6.2 points in non-league games, compared to 9.2 points during Big 12 action.
* As a sophomore, Siebrandt scored 134 points in 13 non-conference games and 148 points in Big 12 contests.
Richards chasing assist record
With 127 assists, junior Frank Richards is already 11th on K-State's single-season chart for assists. At his current pace, he would finish the regular season with 164 assists, the third most ever in one season by a Wildcat. Steve Henson dished out a school record 186 assists in 1988.If the season ended today, Richards' 5.29 assists per game would rank as the fifth-best single season average in school history.Overall this season, Richards has led K-State in assists in 20 of 24 contests.
Pasco has penchant for doubles
Pervis Pasco leads K-State in double-doubles and ranks tied for eighth in the Big 12 with six.
* Pasco has scored in double figures in 13 of the last 18 games, and is averaging 10.1 points on 52 percent shooting this season.
* The senior tied a Big 12 record with his 9 of 9 shooting performance vs. Monmouth.
* Since the start of Big 12 play, Pasco is averaging 8.8 points and 8.4 rebounds.
Minister of defense
Pervis Pasco has also been a defensive force down low. The senior has had at least two blocked shots in 12 games this season, including a career-high five against Michigan, and ranks sixth in the Big 12 with 1.54 blocks per game. He is also second on the team in steals with 22.
Pasco blocking way into books
Pervis Pasco leads Kansas State with 37 blocked shots this season, giving him a career total of 83.
* Despite playing just two seasons, he ranks seventh all-time in blocks at K-State and with three more will move into a tie with Tony Kitt in the No. 6 position.
* With 1.57 block per game, Pasco ranks second all-time in career blocks per game.
* Manny Dies is the all-time career leader in blocked shots with121 from 1996-99.
* Kansas State's career leader in blocked shots per game is Gerald Eaker, who averaged 1.91 during his two-year career from 1996-97.
Spiderman to the rescue
Junior guard Tim Ellis has lived up to his Spiderman nickname this season, saving Kansas State on numerous occasions, including canning a 3-pointer with one-tenth of a second to play to force overtime against Oklahoma.
* Ellis came off the bench in K-State's first 11 games but is now third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.4 points. He is shooting 46.8 percent from the field and is 12th in the league in 3-point shooting (40.2 percent).
* The junior owns 13 double-figure scoring games, including a career-high 21 points vs. Monmouth and a 15-point outbursts against Texas Tech and at Wichita State. He also led the Cats with 14 points vs. Kansas at home and at Colorado and had 13 at Kansas. * Ellis has now scored in double figures in 11 of the last 16 games.
Hayden heating up
Marques Hayden has been heating up in the last three weeks.
* In the K-State's three games vs. top 15 foes, the freshman came off the bench to average 10.3 points on 52.4 percent shooting and 4.7 rebounds.
* Against Baylor Wednesday, Hayden had eight points and a conference career-high nine rebounds.
* Since the start of Big 12 play, he is averaging 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds with 24 of his 58 boards coming on the offensive glass.
* Hayden scored 10 points against Oklahoma State and added 13 points and seven rebounds vs. Kansas. It marked the first time this season that the freshman has scored in double digits in consecutive Big 12 games.
* Overall, Hayden has scored in double figures in eight games.
Home is where the Hart is
Jarrett Hart has been at his best when playing in Bramlage Coliseum this season, especially in his last nine home games. During that span, the junior has averaged 10.4 points on 58.3 percent shooting (35-for-60) -- including 11 of 15 from 3-point distance -- dishing out 29 assists (3.22 apg) and committing just 10 turnovers.
Focal point
Frank Richards' scoring may have dropped off since the start of conference play, but the junior continues to do his job of making everyone around him better. Here's a look at Richards' season to date.
* Ranks fifth on the team in scoring with a 10.0 points and has scored in twin figures in 12 games, including three in a row.
* Has twice scored a season-high 20 points.
* Leads K-State and is fourth in the Big 12 in assists with 5.3 per contest, including 10 games with at least six assists, a 10-assists outing vs. Oregon State and an 11-assist game at Texas A&M.
* Has led K-State in assists in 20 of 24 games.
Walk-ons proving valuable
With just nine scholarship players on its current roster, K-State has relied heavily on walk-ons Schyler Thomas and Josh Eilert. In fact, the Wildcats would not even be able to scrimmage without them in practice.
The first walk-on ever to play at K-State under Jim Wooldridge, Thomas has appeared in 19 games, providing valuable minutes for the Cats. He is averaging just 1.4 points, but has a 11 assists and has scored at least five points twice since the start of conference play.
Eilert has seen action in just four games but has put forth a determined effort in practice every day and has proved to be a key member of the team.
