Game 1: North Dakota State (0-0) at Kansas State (0-0)
Friday, November 19, 2004
Bramlage Coliseum (13,340)
Manhattan, Kan.
Tipoff: 8:30 p.m.
Television: None
Radio: Live across the 29-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.
Webcast: The game will be webcast live as part of the Powercat Passport feature on Kansas State’s athletic site at www.kstatesports.com.
The Records: The game will be the season debut for both squads. Kansas State went 5-1 during its exhibition season, including 2-0 in its two home contests. North Dakota State posted a 1-1 mark in its two exhibition games with a win over Minnesota State-Moorhead before a loss at Drake.
K-State Coach Jim Wooldridge: Wooldridge (Louisiana Tech ’77) is in his fifth season at Kansas State and owns a record of 51-65 (.440). He has amassed a 280-212 (.569) all-time record in this his 18th season as a collegiate head coach. Wooldridge guided the program to its highest win total in five years with last season’s 14-14 record.
North Dakota State Coach Tim Miles: Miles (Univ. of Mary 89) is in his fourth season at NDSU and owns a record of 47-39 (.547). He has a 160-100 (.615) record in his 10th season as a collegiate head coach.
The Series: Kansas State leads the all-time series, 1-0. The Wildcats won the first and only meeting with the Bison, 79-52, on Dec. 19, 1967.
Officials: Announced on game day.
Projected Starters
5 Clent Stewart G 6-4 195 Fr.-HS
12 Fred Peete G 6-4 200 So.-TR
15 Jeremiah Massey F 6-7 220 Sr.-1L
20 Cartier Martin F 6-7 220 So.-1L
23 Marques Hayden F 6-7 225 Jr.-2L
Key Reserves
1 Schyler Thomas G 6-0 185 Jr.-2L
3 Lance Harris G 6-5 190 So.-1L
4 Curtis Allen G 6-4 200 Fr.-HS
40 Travis Canby F 6-10 237 Sr.-3L
54 Justin Williams F 6-10 245 Sr.-1L
55 Tyler Hughes F 6-11 240 So.-1L
Injuried
21 Dramane Diarra F 6-8 245 Sr.-1L
K-State opens 2004-05 season with Division I newcomer North Dakota State
Kansas State (0-0) opens the highly-anticipated 2004-05 season on Friday by hosting Division I newcomer North Dakota State (0-0) at Bramlage Coliseum beginning at 8:30 p.m.
The game will be the second game of a doubleheader on Friday, as the nationally-ranked Kansas State women’s team plays host to Wyoming at 6 p.m. Fans holding a ticket to the women’s game may stay for the men’s game and a men’s ticket-holder may come early for the women’s game at no extra cost.
The contest will be broadcast on the 29-station Mid-America Sports Network with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play) and Ben Boyle (color) calling the action. Fans may also view a webcast of the game on the school’s official website at www.kstatesports.com. There is a subscription fee to view the webcast as it is apart of the Powercat Passport program.
Kansas State is 76-24 (.760) all-time in season openers, including a 62-9 (.873) mark when debuting in Manhattan. The Wildcats have won nine of their last 12 season season lifters with all three losses coming on the road, including the 73-64 setback to BYU at the 2002 Paradise Jam in St. Thomas. In addition, K-State has won nine of its last 10 home openers with the loss to Northwestern in 2002 the first in a home lid-lifter since a 74-60 loss to Southern Mississippi in 1993.
A quick look at the Cats
Kansas State ended its exhibition season with a 5-1 record after posting an 88-69 victory over Pittsburg State on Nov. 11. After a sluggish start, the Wildcats shook loose of the Gorillas in the second half to even head coach Jim Wooldridge’s home exhibition record to 5-5. Sophomore Fred Peete led four Wildcats in double figures in his home debut with a game-high 20 points, while senior Jeremiah Massey added 17 points and nine rebounds.
Kansas State was a balanced team during the exhibition season, as seven Wildcats averaged six or more points, including five in double figures... The reigning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Jeremiah Massey has started off where he left off last season, leading the team in scoring (17.8 ppg.) and rebounds (7.6 rpg.) in exhibition play... A trio of sophomores - Fred Peete (14.2 ppg.), Cartier Martin (10.8 ppg.), Lance Harris (10.0 ppg.) - and one junior - Marques Hayden (10.0 ppg.) also averaged in double figures for the Wildcats.
Cats End Exhibition Season
Kansas State capped its exhibition season with a 5-1 record after an 88-69 victory over Pittsburg State on Nov. 11... The Wildcats, who played four games during an exhibition trip to Vancouver, British Columbia in early October, opened the home season with a 71-59 victory the EA Sports All-Stars on Nov. 3.
Kansas State averaged 80.5 points during its exhibition season on 51.6 percent shooting to go with 37.8 rebounds, 17.7 assists, 8.3 steals and 5.0 blocks.
The Wildcats had a balanced scoring attack with seven players averaging six or more points, including five in double figures. Senior Jeremiah Massey led the team with 17.8 points per game, while sophomore Fred Peete averaged 14.2 points.
Kansas State is now 8-6 in exhibition games in head coach Jim Wooldridge’s five seasons in Manhattan.
Solid Debut for Peete
Heralded sophomore Fred Peete didn’t disappoint in his home debut against Pittsburg State. The guard showed flashes of brillant, as the junior college All-American scored a game-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting with six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 26 minutes. The team’s second-leading scorer during the exhibition season, Peete averaged 14.2 points on 50.9 percent shooting with 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He scored in double figures in three of the five contests, including an impressive 26-point effort in the overtime loss to British Columbia, where he played all 45 minutes. A solid ball-handler, he has an excellent 4.3 assist-turnover ratio with 17 assists to just four turnovers.
Sir Lance-A-Lot
Although it was just exhibition play, sophomore Lance Harris has shown the ability to make a big impact in his second season. Harris, who saw more action than any freshman last season, finished the preseason slate as the team’s fourth-leading scorer at 10.0 points on 44.9 percent shooting, while leading the squad in assists (23) and steals (9). Harris showed his talent in the win over the EA Sports All-Stars, as he led both squads with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting to go with seven rebounds and three blocks. He had more field goals (22), rebounds (24), assists and steals in six exhibition games than he had in 27 games last season. As a freshman, he averaged 2.1 points on 28.8 percent shooting with 0.9 rebounds and 0.6 assists.
The book on North Dakota State
Friday’s game will be a special night for North Dakota State because not only are the Bison making their season debut, but they are also playing their first game since making the move to Division I.
NDSU has played more seasons of men’s basketball than any other school in Division II and are one of one just 17 teams in Division I to play at least 105 seasons.
NDSU went 1-1 during its exhibition season, posting a 70-56 win over Minnesota State-Moorhead on Nov. 6 before dropping a 65-49 at Drake on Nov. 11.
The Bison had four players averaging in double figures during exhibition play led by senior forward Myron Green, who averaged 15.0 points per game... Senior center Andy Kelchen and senior guard Adam Dobmeier averaged 12.0 and 11.5 points, respectively, while senior forward David Erbes tossed in 11.0 points to go with a team-best 8.5 rebounds.
NDSU returns two starters and six overall lettermen from a team that posted a 16-13 overall record and an 8-6 mark in the North Central Conference.
The Bison are coached by fourth-year head coach Tim Miles, who has a 47-39 record at the school and is 160-100 in nine seasons as a head coach.
Up Next: Denver (0-0)
Kansas State continues their home schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 24 when the Wildcats play host to Denver at Bramlage Coliseum beginning at 7 p.m. uThe Pioneers open the regular season on Sunday against North Dakota State at home.
Denver went 2-0 during its exhibition season, posting wins over Regis (88-55) and Mesa State (77-68).
Denver returns two starters and six overall lettermen for a team that posted a 14-13 overall record. uJunior guard Rodney Billups (younger brother of former CU star Chauncey) is team’s top returner.
The Pioneers are coached by fourth-year head coach Terry Carroll, who has a 39-48 record at the school and is 308-97 in 12 seasons as a head coach. uKansas State leads the all-time series with Denver, 3-0... The Wildcats won the last meeting, 72-65, on Dec. 18, 1963 at Ahearn Field House.
Injury Bug
Kansas State should have all but one player - Dramane Diarra - available for Friday’s game. Diarra in any of the team’s six exhibition games due to nagging foot injury. It is not known when he will be able to return. Two other Wildcats - Fred Peete and Cartier Martin - left the Pittsburg State game early due to injury, but both practiced this week and should start against North Dakota State. Peete did not play against the EA All-Stars due a back injury.
Preseason Accolades for Massey
Reigning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Jeremiah Massey enters his senior season with high expectations. The Wildcats’ leader in both scoring (14.7 ppg.) and rebounding (6.5 rpg.), Massey was selected to preseason All-Big 12 second team by The Sporting News, CBS Sportsline and Lindy’s. Massey is one of only two returning players (along with Kansas’ Wayne Simien) to rank among the league’s top 10 in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage. Last season, Massey became the Wildcats’ first conference Newcomer of the Year since 1993. He was named to the coaches’ third team all-conference and to its all-newcomer team, while he was honorable mention all-league by the Associated Press.
Noting K-State’s newcomers
Kansas State welcomes the addition of three players in 2004-05, sophomore guard Fred Peete and freshmen guards Curtis Allen and Clent Stewart. Peete was added on April 29 after one year at NE Oklahoma A&M, while Allen and Stewart were inked during the early signing period.
As a freshman at NEO, Peete was honored as a third team NJCAA All-American after averaging a team-leading 18.3 points on 49 percent shooting. He was one of just four freshmen among the 30 players named to the first, second or third teams.
In leading Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High School to a 28-4 record, Allen averaged 12.2 points on 41.4 percent shooting with 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.2 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. He ranked first on the team in steals and second in rebounds and assists.
A 6-foot-3 guard out of Tulsa (Okla.) Union High School, Stewart was named the Tulsa World state Player of the Year and Class 6A All-Tournament MVP after leading Union to its first-ever state title. He averaged 15.3 points in the state tournament after averaging 16.9 points during the regular season.
New Additions
K-State has two new players on its basketball roster with the addition of walk-ons Josh Campbell and Kyle Taylor. Campbell was a two-year letterman and one-year starter at Cloud County Community College. Taylor joins the team after starting one year at Butler County Community College.
The Wildcats are hoping for one more addition, as they await clearance from the NCAA on sophomore Milton Barros. Barros was a member of the junior national team in his native Angola.
O, Canada!
Kansas State started the 2004-05 season north of the border in Canada, as the Wildcats embarked upon a five-day, four-game game trip through Vancouver, British Columbia Oct. 8-12. The Wildcats posted a 3-1 record on its trip with wins over Simon Fraser University (80-73), Langara College (68-55) and University of Victoria (92-64) to go with an overtime loss to the University of British Columbia (89-84).
The team averaged 81.0 points during its tour on 53.6 percent shooting with 36.5 rebounds, 16.3 assists, 9.0 steals and 5.5 blocks.
Senior Jeremiah Massey paced the Wildcats with a team-high 19.7 points per game on 68.4 percent (26-of-38) shooting to go with a team-best 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. Sophomores Fred Peete and Cartier Martin also averaged in double figures at 12.8 and 11.5 points per game, respectively. Sophomore Lance Harris led the team in both assists (4.3) and steals (2.0) to go along with 7.5 points per game.
Tube Time
Kansas State will make a total of 19 regular-season television appearances during the 2004-05 season, including 12 on Fox Sports Net Midwest. K-State signed a three-year contract with Fox Sports in September 2003 to be the exclusive third-tier television right holder. In addition, ESPN Plus will broadcast seven games during the Big 12 season.
Names on uniforms
Fans won’t have to search their game programs for names and numbers of the players this season, as Kansas State will have names on the back of their uniforms for the first time under fifth-year head coach Jim Wooldridge. In the past, Wooldridge went without names to emphasis his team concept.
What’s Back for the Cats
Kansas State returns two starters and nine lettermen from last season’s 14-14 (6-10, 9th Big 12) squad, including the Associated Press’ Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Jeremiah Massey, who led the Wildcats in both scoring (14.7 ppg.) and rebounding (7.8 rpg.). Overall, Massey led the Wildcats in nine categories, including 20-point games (10), double-doubles (eight), steals (1.0 spg.) and blocks (0.6 bpg.). Not since Jean Derouillere averaged 15.7 points in 1989-90 had a first-year player averaged more points than Massey. He was named to the coaches’ third team all-conference team and to its all-newcomer team, while he was AP honorable mention all-league selection.
Junior forward Marques Hayden also returns for the Wildcats in 2004-05 after averaging 8.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in 28 games last season, including 26 starts. Hayden led the team and ranked seventh in the Big 12 with a 53.4 field goal percentage. The shooting percentage was also the 26th-best in Kansas State history. Hayden also placed 12th in the league in double-doubles (five) and 13th in rebounding.
In addition, the Wildcats return four other players who started at least one game in 2003-04. Sophomore Cartier Martin, who also struggled with injuries in his first year, made three starts among his 20 appearances, averaging 6.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 18.9 minutes. He ranked fifth on the team in scoring and sixth in rebounding, while he was fourth in 3-point field goals (17). Senior forwards Dramane Diarra and Justin Williams made six and four starts, respectively, for the Wildcats down low. A native of Paris, France, Diarra averaged 1.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 16 games after he was cleared by the NCAA in early January. Williams was solid in averaging 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 27 games. Entering his fourth year, senior Travis Canby is the most experienced member of the team. Last season, he made 19 appearances and one start.
The team also returns three other players who saw significant time in 2003-04. The leader among freshmen with 27 appearances, sophomore Lance Harris averaged 2.1 points and 0.9 rebounds. Junior Schyler Thomas and sophomore Tyler Hughes each saw action in 14 games. A former walk-on who received a scholarship this spring, Thomas connected on 50 percent of his shots. Hughes showed drastic improvement as the season progressed, as he scored 14 of his 16 points in the last four games on 66.7 percent shooting on an average of 10.8 minutes per game. Overall, he saw action 14 games as a freshman.
Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
Kansas State lost five lettermen from the 2003-04, including starting guards Tim Ellis, Jarrett Hart and Frank Richards. Along with Massey, Ellis was named to the AP honorable mention All-Big 12 team and to the league’s all-improved squad after averaging 13.8 points on 50.7 percent shooting. Ellis scored in double-digits in a team-best 20 games, including 15 times in the team’s last 21 contests. He was one of just two players in the Big 12 to rank among the league’s top 20 in field goal percentage, free throw percentage and scoring. Hart, a member of the league’s all-underrated team, was the Wildcats’ best 3-point shooter, hitting on 39.4 percent, while averaging 10.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists. The starting point guard in 20 games, Richards led the Wildcats in assists for the second straight season with 3.6 per game. With four assists in the Big 12 Tournament, Richards became the fifth Wildcat in school history to post back-to-back 100 assist seasons. The team also lost freshman guard Dez Willingham, who opted to transfer before the fall semester. Willingham averaged 4.4 points and 2.8 assists in 22 games with 11 starts. The quartet accounted for over 43 percent of the team’s scoring, field goals and steals and over 60 percent of the team’s 3-pointers and assists.
Wooly’s Rally Cats
Kansas State head coach Jim Wooldridge began a program in the offseason to help the youth of Kansas enjoy the thrill of Wildcat basketball. Rally Cats wishes to donate $20,000 worth of tickets to organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy and Girl Scouts, Special Olympics, YMCA, United Way and local schools. Wooldridge donated a lead gift of $10,000. All donations are 100 percent tax deductible. For those interested in donating to the program, please contact Chad Altadonna at (785) 532-6531.
New Court
Kansas State will be playing on a new court in 2004-05, as the athletic department in conjunction with Robbins Flooring of Cincinnati, Ohio, introduced a new playing surface in late June.
The new court, which is made of first-grade northern hard maple, features a totally re-designed court surface that will showcase more of the natural wood color as opposed to being painted purple as with the previous floor. The central design of the surface is a larger-sized Powercat logo at center court with the words “Kansas State” painted in purple above the logo. Both design elements face the chairback section of the arena. The design also includes purple free throw lanes with the new Big 12 logo located at the top of each lane. The floor is completed with the word “Wildcats” centered and painted in purple at the end of each baseline.
The 60-by-120 foot floor includes 225 computer-cut pieces in the main floor plus an additional 42 pieces on the extension at the south end. The surface also includes the latest shock absorbers on the underside.
Wooldridge Signs Extension
Head coach Jim Wooldridge received a two-year contract extension on March 9 after guiding K-State to its most overall and league wins in four years.
Wooldridge, who had one year left on his original five-year contract, was named the 20th head coach in school history on March 13, 2000. Despite numerous injuries, he led the Wildcats to a 14-14 overall record and a tie for ninth place in the Big 12 Conference standings with a 6-10 mark this past season. Both the 14 overall wins and six league victories are the most of the Wooldridge era and the most since the 1998-99 squad.
Overall, Wooldridge has a 51-65 (.440) record in four seasons at K-State.
“I appreciate the confidence and commitment that Dr. (Jon) Wefald and Tim (Weiser) have made to me and my staff,” said Wooldridge. “I continue to be excited about the future of this program. With the talented returning players in our program and the addition of a couple of key recruits, I don't think we're too far off from having a team that can challenge the upper echelon of the Big 12."
Wooldridge, who served previous head coaching stints at Central Missouri State (1985-91), Texas State (1991-94) and his alma mater Louisiana Tech (1994-98), owns an overall record of 280-212 (.569) in 17 seasons as a head coach.
Quick Hitters
Kansas State finished the 2003-04 season with a 14-14 overall record and a ninth place tie in Big 12 Conference play with a 6-10 mark... The 14 overall wins are the most in the four-year tenure of head coach Jim Wooldridge, while the team's six conference wins tie for the most since 2001-02... In fact, the 14 wins and six league victories were the most since the 1998-99 season... Only five squads had more conference wins since 1990-91 than the Wildcats had this season.
The improvement is also evident in the team statistics... Since the team won six games in 2002, the Wildcats have slowly but surely closed the scoring gap during league play... That year, the Wildcats averaged 68.1 points per game, but gave up 74.2 points to league opposition in winning six games... This past year, the Wildcats dropped off in scoring at 66.9 points per game, however, their Big 12 foes averaged just 66.9 points in also winning six games.
K-State continued its stellar play at Bramlage Coliseum under Jim Wooldridge, posting 11 or more victories at home for the third consecutive season... The 12 wins in 2003-04 tie for the most since the 2001-02 squad also registered 12... In fact, the Wildcats are 43-21 (.672) under Wooldridge at home with wins in 29 of their last 39 games.
Kansas State concluded the regular season with an exclamation point their first victory over a top-10 opponent since 2002 with a 58-48 victory over No. 10 Texas... Under Jim Wooldridge, the Wildcats have upset five ranked squads, including at least one each of the past four seasons... The team beat No. 19 Iowa and No. 20 Missouri in 2000-01, No. 9 Oklahoma State in 2001-02, No. 23 Texas Tech in 2002-03 and No. 10 in 2003-04.
Ten of Kansas State's 14 losses in 2003-04 were by a grand total of 58 points (avg. 5.8 ppg.), including nine of its last 12 by 52 points... The Wildcats were a mere 13 points away from being 17-11 and 9-7 in league play... Over half (36) of Jim Wooldridge's 65 losses at Kansas State have been by 10 points or less, including 25 in Big 12 play.
Kansas State finished the non-conference portion of its schedule with an exclamation point on Jan. 10, as the Wildcats overwhelmed Savannah State, 92-51... With the win, K-State entered Big 12 win with its best non-conference mark of the Jim Wooldridge era and the best by a Wildcat squad since the 1998-99 squad went 11-2... The Wildcats went a perfect 8-0 at home during the non-conference season, marking the first unbeaten non-conference mark since the 1998-99 also went 8-0.
One of the biggest factors in Kansas State's success this past season was its play on the defensive end... The Wildcats ranked 25th nationally in field goal percentage defense, while they placed among the Big 12 leaders in several categories... The team finished second in 3-point field goal percentage defense, third in defensive rebounds and fourth in field goal percentage defense, scoring defense and rebounding. The Cats were just as effective in Big 12 play, ranking third in field goal percentage and defensive rebounds and fourth in scoring defense.
More on defense... Just 13 of the team's opponents in 2003-04 hit over 40 percent from the field, while just 10 scored over 70 points... Eleven foes scored 60 points or less against the Wildcats, while 12 of the last 21 were held to 65 points or less.
