Game 7: Texas-San Antonio (4-2) at Kansas State (6-0)
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Bramlage Coliseum (13,340)
Manhattan, Kan.
Tipoff: 7:05 p.m. CST
Television: none
Satellite Coordinates (Highlights only): SBS 6, KO9. Time: 9:30-9:45 p.m.
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: Kansas State is 6-0 on the season after its 64-61 come-from-behind win over Wyoming on Saturday. UTSA is 4-2 after posting a 79-71 win over Louisiana Tech on Sunday.
The Rankings: Neither team is ranked.
K-State Coach Jim Wooldridge: Wooldridge (Louisiana Tech ’77) is in his fifth season at Kansas State and owns a record of 57-65 (.467). He has amassed a 286-212 (.574) 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.
UTSA Coach Tim Carter: Carter (Kansas ’79) is in his 10th season at UTSA. The winningest coach in school history, he has guided the Roadrunners to a 138-124 (.527) record, including two NCAA Tournament appearances (1999, 2004).
The Series: K-State leads the all-time series, 3-0. The Wildcats won the last meeting, 71-55, in Manhattan on Nov. 18, 2000. The win was a special one for head coach Jim Wooldridge, as it was his first at K-State. Teams also met in 1991, 1999.
Officials: Announced on game day.
Kansas State - Projected Starters
5 Clent Stewart G 6-4 195 Fr. 7.0 ppg., 2.5 rpg.
12 Fred Peete G 6-4 200 So. 12.8 ppg., 5.7 rpg.
15 Jeremiah Massey F 6-7 220 Sr. 15.5 ppg., 7.5 rpg.
20 Cartier Martin F 6-7 220 So. 7.8 ppg., 4.8 rpg.
23 Marques Hayden F 6-7 225 Jr. 9.7 ppg., 7.3 rpg.
Key Reserves
1 Schyler Thomas G 6-0 185 Jr. 2.2 ppg., 1.0 rpg.
3 Lance Harris G 6-5 190 So. 7.2 ppg., 1.2 rpg.
4 Curtis Allen G 6-4 200 Fr. 5.0 ppg., 0.5 rpg.
40 Travis Canby F 6-10 237 Sr. 0.0 ppg., 2.0 rpg.
54 Justin Williams F 6-10 245 Sr. 2.0 ppg., 2.0 rpg.
55 Tyler Hughes F 6-11 240 So. 2.2 ppg., 3.7 rpg.
Injuried
21 Dramane Diarra F 6-8 245 Sr. 0.0 ppg., 0.0 rpg.
Texas-San Antonio - Projected Starters
3 Andre Owens G 6-3 195 Jr. 12.0 ppg., 3.8 rpg.
13 David President G 6-1 210 Sr. 7.3 ppg., 4.8 rpg.
24 Rapheal Posey G 6-2 195 Sr. 10.0 ppg., 5.6 rpg.
21 John Millsap F 6-6 215 Sr. 13.2 ppg., 7.0 rpg.
42 Anthony Fuqua C 6-11 220 Sr. 3.6 ppg., 4.6 rpg.
Key Reserves
1 Adam McCoy G 6-3 190 Fr. 6.0 ppg., 0.8 rpg.
10 Kurt Attaway G 6-0 190 So. 6.0 ppg., 2.8 rpg.
15 Roderick Rodgers F 6-5 205 Fr. 3.7 ppg., 3.0 rpg.
20 Juan Salinas G 5-11 185 Jr. 0.3 ppg., 1.3 rpg.
25 James Peters G 6-2 170 Fr. No stats
33 Abe Donlon F 6-8 215 Fr. 4.5 ppg., 4.3 rpg.
50 Dwain Hall C 6-10 230 So. 1.2 ppg., 0.5 rpg.
55 Ray Selvage C 6-8 235 Jr. 11.0 ppg., 7.8 rpg.
K-State begins five-game homestand, as the Wildcats host UT-San Antonio Saturday
Looking to continue their best start in seven years, Kansas State (6-0) returns home to begin a five-game homestand Saturday against Texas-San Antonio (4-2) in Bramlage Coliseum beginning at 7 p.m. The Wildcats are 6-0 for the 13th time in school history, including just the sixth time since 1977, and are off to their best start since the 1997-98 team posted nine straight victories to begin the season.
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 at www.kstatesports.com. There is a subscription fee to view the webcast as it is apart of the Powercat Passport program.
One of just 18 unbeaten teams remaining in Division I, Kansas State is coming off a remarkable 64-61 victory over Wyoming at the Bluecross/Blueshield Wyoming Shootout in Casper, Wyo. Trailing 56-47 with 3:34 remaining, the Wildcats scored 17 of the game’s last 22 points. Sophomore Fred Peete, who named the Big 12 co-Rookie of the Week for his efforts, tallied a career-high 24 points on 10-of-13 field goals, including the Wildcats’ last eight points.
After starting the season with three straight wins, Texas-San Antonio ended a brief two-game skid on Sunday with a 79-71 win over Louisiana Tech. The Roadrunners, who have four players averaging in double figures, is led by John Millsap (13.2 ppg.).
A quick look at the Cats
Kansas State is averaging 68.0 points on 43.3 percent (148-of-342) shooting this season with 41.0 rebounds, 16.3 assists and 6.2 steals. The team is led by Jeremiah Massey, who paces the squad in both scoring (15.5 ppg.) and rebounding (7.5 rpg.). Fred Peete is averaging 12.8 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Marques Hayden is adding 9.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. The Wildcats are allowing just 57 points on 37.7 percent shooting, while forcing 13 turnovers per game.
Recapping Wyoming
Kansas State started Clent Stewart and Fred Peete in the backcourt and Jeremiah Massey, Marques Hayden and Cartier Martin in the frontcourt. The team has used this same starting lineup in five of its six games, including four consecutive games.
Kansas State posted its first neutral site win since an 82-71 victory over Michigan at the 2002 Paradise Jam Tournament in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The team improved to 4-6 under Wooldridge in neutral site games and to 35-17 in non-conference games.
The Wildcats surpassed its season-best shooting percentage for the third consecutive game, connecting on 51 percent. The team also set season-highs for field goal percentage in a half (55, 2nd), rebounds (35) and defensive rebounds (23).
Three players reached double figures for the fourth straight game. Sophomore Fred Peete posted a career-high 24 points on 10-of-13 field goals with four rebounds, three steals and two assists. He has scored in double figures in four contests.
Lance Harris and Marques Hayden added 12 and 10 points, respectively. Harris eclipsed his season-high for the second straight game, while he posted a career-best with five field goals. Hayden is averaging a near double-double (12 ppg., 7.7 rpg.) in his last three games on nearly 64 percent shooting.
Impressive Start
After rallying for a come-from-behind win for the second straight game, Kansas State improved to 6-0 on the season for the first time since the 1997-98. The record, which is the best start during the Wooldridge era, marks the 13th time in school history that the Wildcats have started a season 6-0 (starting with the first in 1915-16), but only the sixth time since the 1977-78 season. Of those 12 previous teams that began 6-0, only seven won their next game. The 1918-19 owns the best start for a team in school history when they won their first 17 games, while the 1947-48 team is second with its 10-0 start. Interestingly, since the inception of postseason tournaments (1938 NIT), five of the eight teams that have started 6-0 have advanced (five to NCAAs, one to NIT).
Cardiac Cats
Kansas State, which scored 17 points in the last 3:34 to shock Wyoming on Saturday, has had to rally from second half deficits in five of its last six games this season. Although the win over the Cowboys gets the most attention, the Wildcats have had to fight from deficits of five or more points in the second half in four of six games. K-State has trailed in 114 minutes and 12 seconds this season, including 55 minutes and 19 seconds in the second half. In the last two games, the team has faced deficits in the second frame in all but seven minutes and 20 seconds. The Wildcats were down as many as nine points to Oakland before using a 24-10 run in the last seven minutes for the win. The team did not allow a Wyoming field goal in the last 2:09, while the team scored 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-3 from three-point range for the win. Kansas State has also faced second half deficits against North Dakota (eight), Denver (five) and Washington State (one). After holding a small advantage at the half (174-166), the Wildcats have outscored their opponents, 234-176, in the second half.
Offensive Improvement
After a rocky start to the season, the Kansas State offense is starting to heat up. In the last three games, the Wildcats have averaged 72.0 points on 50.3 percent shooting (81-of-161), including 44.2 percent (19-of-43) from three-point range. K-State has tied its season-high for points (76) in two of its last three and set its season-bests for field goal shooting (51.0 vs. Wyoming) and three-point shooting (50.0 vs. UAPB). In comparison, Kansas State averaged just 64.0 points on 37.0 percent shooting (67-of-181) in its first three games, including 36.1 percent (13-of-36) from beyond the arc. Also, the offense has become more diversified with seven Wildcats averaging seven or more points in the last three games compared to just four in the first three games.
Reversal of Fortune
After losing 34 games in his first four years by 10 points or less, including 22 the last two seasons, head coach Jim Wooldridge has helped Kansas State to wins in five of its first six games by 10 points or less.
The book on UTSA (4-2)
Texas-San Antonio enters Saturday’s contest with a 4-2 record on the season after snapping a two-game losing skid with a 79-71 win over Louisiana Tech on Sunday at home. The Roadrunners opened the season with wins over Texas-Tyler (84-56), Texas Lutheran (69-45) and Texas A&M International (86-68) before dropping road games at Murray State (69-58) and Louisiana Tech (79-71).
UTSA is averaging 73.3 points per game on 43.4 percent shooting with 47.8 rebounds, 22.3 turnovers, 15.3 assists, 10.8 steals and 4.2 blocks.
Senior forward John Millsap leads a balanced scoring attack with seven Roadrunners averaging six or more points, including four in double figures. Millsap averages 13.2 points on 45.6 percent shooting, while junior Andre Owens (12.0 ppg.), junior Ray Selvage (11.0 ppg.) and senior Raphael Posey (10.0 ppg.) all average in double figures. Selvage leads in rebounding (7.8 rpg.), while senior David President paces in assists (3.8 apg.) and steals (2.0 spg.)
UTSA returns four starters and eight lettermen for a team that went 19-14 overall and won both the regular season and tournament Southland Conference championships to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
The team is coached by Tim Carter, who is 138-124 (.527) in his 10th season at the school. Carter, who has a 149-140 (.516) career record that includes one year at Nebraska-Omaha, is the all-time winningest coach in UTSA history and has the longest tenure.
UTSA Notes and Connections
Kansas State leads the all-time series, 3-0. The teams last met in Nov. 18, 2000 when the Wildcats posted a 71-55 win in Jim Wooldridge’s first game at the school. The teams also met in 1991 and 1999.
UTSA athletic director Lynn Hickey served as Kansas State’s women’s basketball coach from 1979-84. Her 125-39 (.762) record ranks as the second-highest win total in K-State history and the top winning percentage of any coach in the program’s history. She was recently inducted into the K-State Hall of Fame.
UTSA senior guard Raphael Posey played at Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kan.
The last time we met: Nov. 18, 2000
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Juniors Travis Reynolds and Phineas Atchison each scored 14 points to lead Kansas State to a 71-55 victory over Texas-San Antonio in the Wildcats’ season opener on Nov. 18.
Reynolds posted a double-double with a career-high 14 points and 10 rebounds, as he and Atchison led five Wildcats who scored in double figures.
Kansas State improved to 1-0 on the season, while Texas-San Antonio fell to 0-1. The Cats improved to 74-23 all-time openers as head coach Jim Wooldridge earned the first victory of his K-State career.
K-State took the lead with just over 12 minutes to play in the first half and led 33-27 at halftime. The Roadrunners went on an 8-1 run to start the second half and took a 35-34 lead. But with just under 13 minutes remaining in the second half, K-State scored 12 straight points to grab a 54-39 lead.
Kelvin Howell, Matt Siebrandt and Ritchie Terry all finished with 11 points. Howell also pulled down eight rebounds, while Larry Reid added nine assists.
The Roadrunners were led by freshman guard Gerrick Rivera, who scored 14 points. Juniors James Joseph and Reggie Minnieweather added 11 and 12 points, respectively.
Getting Defensive
Kansas State has used strong defensive play to post its first 6-0 start in seven years. The Wildcats have allowed just 57.0 points on 37.7 percent shooting (136-of-361), including just 28.7 percent from three-point range (35-of-122), while forcing 78 turnovers. The team ranks among the top 35 nationally in three defensive categories, including 21st in scoring defense (57.0), 24th in field goal percentage defense (37.7) and 31st in rebounding margin (10.3). The 342 points allowed is the fewest through the first six games of the season since the 1984-85 squad allowed just 328 points in starting the season 6-0.
Second Half Heroics
Kansas State has shown to be a second half team in its first six games. After halftime, the Wildcats are averaging 39.0 points on 47.3 percent shooting (79-of-167) compared to just 29 points on 39.4 percent shooting (69-of-175) in the first half. The team has also improved its rebounding and assist-to-turnover ratio from the first frame. K-State has an 28-rebound advantage in the second frame (124-96) after having a slight advantage (122-103) in the first half. The Wildcats also have a significantly better assists to turnovers in the second half (51-34) than first (47-43).
The Oakland game was a perfect example of this trend, as Kansas State outscored the Grizzlies, 40-26, in the second half after trailing 43-36 after the first half. The team has improved its field goal percentage in the second half in five of six games, including a remarkable 25 point increase against NDSU.
Clutch Shooting
Kansas State has picked up its offense at the right time in each of its six wins this season. The Wildcats have outscored its six foes by an average of 6.7 points per game (118-78) in the last 10 minutes of games. If you take out the UAPB game (which the Cats won by 34 points), the Wildcats are even better in the last 10 minutes. In the five games decided by nine points or less, the team is outscoring its foes by an average of 8.0 points per game (99-59). K-State outscored Wyoming, 23-15, in the last 10 minutes, including 17-5 in the last 3:34 of the game.
Clutch Performer
Sophomore guard Fred Peete was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 co-Rookie of the Week on Dec. 13 after he averaged a team-best 16.5 points on 59.1 percent shooting in helping the Wildcats to come-from-behind victories over Oakland and Wyoming. He also averaged 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals.
Peete is coming off one of the best clutch efforts by a Wildcat in school history. In scoring a career-high 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting, he was one of the main reasons the team rallied from a nine-point deficit with just under four minutes to play. He scored 10 points during the span, including the Wildcats’ last eight points. He tied the game on a three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining then scored the game-winning points on three-point play with one second to play.
Peete ranks among the top three on the team in several categories, including first in steals (1.7 spg.) and minutes (33.3), second in scoring (12.8 ppg.) and assists (3.2 apg.) and third in rebounding (5.7 spg.). He ranks among the top 20 in the Big 12 in three categories, including seventh in defensive rebounds (5.17), 14th in steals and 19th in scoring.
Ahead of the Curve
Despite being a true freshman Clent Stewart has proven to be a solid point guard for the Wildcats in 2004. The starter in all six games, Stewart is averaging 7.0 points on 41.2 percent shooting through this season with 3.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 31.5 minutes per game. He ranks 10th in the Big 12 (and second among freshman) in assists, while he is 12th in assist-turnover ratio. Stewart became the first freshman to start a season opener since Nick Williams in 2001 when he played 34 minutes against NDSU.
Despite his youth, Stewart has been a clutch performer for the Wildcats. In the last two minutes against Wyoming, he hit a three-pointer, stole the ball on an in-bounds pass and called timeout while falling out of bounds, produced the game-tying assist on Fred Peete’s three-pointer and grabbed the defensive rebound before Peete’s game-winning lay-up.
Injury Bug
Kansas State will have all but one player - Dramane Diarra - available on Saturday. Diarra has not see action in any of the team’s preseason or regular season games due to a foot injury. He re-injuried the foot in practice and had surgery in late November.
Second Half Force
Following his team in many ways, senior forward Jeremiah Massey has proven to have gotten stronger as the game goes on. The team leader in scoring (15.5) and rebounding (7.5), Massey is much better across the board in the second half. He is shooting over 51.5 percent from the field (17-of-33) and is a near perfect 20-of-22 from the free throw line after halftime for an average of 9.0 points to go with 4.2 rebounds. He has scored in double figures in four of six second halves this season, including 13 against Denver. In contrast, he is shooting just 35.3 percent in the first half (12-of-34) with an average of 6.5 points and 3.3 rebounds.
Massey ranks in the top 20 in five categories in the Big 12, including sixth in free throw percentage, eighth in rebounding and 10th in scoring. He is also ninth and 13th in defensive and offensive rebounds.
Historic Defense
Kansas State set three new Bramlage Coliseum marks for defense in its 76-42 win over UAPB on Nov. 29. The Wildcats held the Golden Lions to records for fewest points allowed in a half (10) and lowest field goal percentage allowed in a half (14.7), while the two combined for the lowest point total in a half (42).
Home Court Advantage
With 58 consecutive home winning seasons, Kansas State has one of the best home court advantages in the nation. The Wildcats are 593-162 (.785) dating back to the start of the streak in 1946-47 season, which has spanned three different arenas - Nichols Gym (1946-50), Ahearn Field House (1950-88) and Bramlage Coliseum (1988-present).
Kansas State, who was 12-4 at home last season, has achieved at least nine wins on its home court in 11 of the last 13 seasons. In fact, the Wildcats have won 34 of their last 44 games in Bramlage Coliseum dating back to 2001-02. Overall, K-State is 48-21 (.696) at home under head coach Jim Wooldridge.
In its 17th season of hosting Wildcat basketball, Bramlage has seen Kansas State post a 180-71 (.717) record since its opening during the 1988-89 season.
Home Court Advantage, Part 2
With its come-from-behind win over Oakland on Dec. 6, Kansas State improved to 32-5 in non-conference home games under head coach Jim Wooldridge. The team has now won 20 in a row against non-league foes at home. The last loss came to Northwestern on Nov. 30, 2002.
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. Despite being 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, he did not receive one vote to the coaches or media’s preseason. 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 AP.
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.
Wooly’s Rally Cats
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. Each group will be given special T-shirts and will receive a special introduction. Wooldridge donated a lead gift of $10,000, while others have stepped up to finish the remaining $10,000 for this special group. For those interested in the program, please contact Chad Altadonna at (785) 532-6531.
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. Last season, the Wildcats appeared on television 17 times, including six times on Fox Sports Midwest.
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 1998-99.
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.
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.
