Game 10: Eastern Illinois (5-4) at Kansas State (8-1)
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Bramlage Coliseum (13,340)
Manhattan, Kan.
Tipoff: 7:05 p.m. CST
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: Kansas State is 8-1 on the season after dropping a 76-66 decision to Rutgers on Tuesday. Eastern Illinois is 5-4 after earning a 68-65 win over Western Illinois on Dec. 21.
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 59-66 (.472). He has amassed a 288-213 (.575) 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.
Eastern Illinois Coach Rick Samuels: Samuels (Chadron State ’71) is 353-348 (.504) in his 25th season at Eastern Illinois. Samuels ranks second among active coaches in years coached at one Division I institution. He is 0-1 against K-State.
The Series: Kansas State leads the all-time series, 1-0. The teams haven’t played since the Wildcats posted a 74-62 win over the Panthers at home on Jan. 10, 1981. K-State is 8-1 all-time against teams from the Ohio Valley Conference.
Officials: Announced on game day.
Kansas State - Projected Starters
5 Clent Stewart G 6-4 195 Fr. 6.8 ppg., 2.2 rpg.
12 Fred Peete G 6-4 200 So. 13.8 ppg., 5.1 rpg.
15 Jeremiah Massey F 6-7 220 Sr. 15.4 ppg., 7.0 rpg.
20 Cartier Martin F 6-7 220 So. 9.2 ppg., 4.7 rpg.
23 Marques Hayden F 6-7 225 Jr. 8.3 ppg., 6.8 rpg.
Key Reserves
1 Schyler Thomas G 6-0 185 Jr. 1.7 ppg., 0.8 rpg.
3 Lance Harris G 6-5 190 So. 7.1 ppg., 1.6 rpg.
4 Curtis Allen G 6-4 200 Fr. 2.5 ppg., 0.3 rpg.
40 Travis Canby F 6-10 237 Sr. 0.0 ppg., 2.0 rpg.
54 Justin Williams F 6-10 245 Sr. 4.4 ppg., 3.6 rpg.
55 Tyler Hughes F 6-11 240 So. 1.9 ppg., 3.1 rpg.
Injuried
21 Dramane Diarra F 6-8 245 Sr. 0.0 ppg., 0.0 rpg.
Eastern Illinois - Projected Starters
3 Emanuel Dildy G 6-0 184 Sr. 14.9 ppg., 2.3 rpg.
4 Aaron Patterson F 6-5 220 Sr. 8.6 ppg., 6.4 rpg.
5 Josh Gomes G 6-2 185 Jr. 14.2 ppg., 4.4 rpg.
33 Cortex Forte G 6-4 190 Sr. 4.9 ppg., 2.7 rpg.
34 Andy Gobczynski F 6-5 206 Fr. 4.2 ppg., 5.0 rpg.
Key Reserves
10 Jake Sinclair G 6-2 192 Jr. 3.1 ppg., 1.7 rpg.
14 Bobby Catchings G 6-6 179 R-Fr. 8.0 ppg., 2.9 rpg.
21 Jason Wright G 5-11 190 Sr. 3.0 ppg., 1.3 rpg.
22 Ross Laux G 6-1 178 So. 0.0 ppg., 0.7 rpg.
23 Bill Duany G 6-7 190 Fr. 1.9 ppg., 1.7 rpg.
24 George Tandy C 6-8 195 Fr. 4.3 ppg., 5.6 rpg.
41 Jake Byrne C 6-8 250 Fr. 0.0 ppg., 1.0 rpg.
52 Austin Hogue F 6-7 223 Fr. 1.0 ppg., 1.8 rpg.
K-State looks to bounce back from first loss, as the Cats host Eastern Illinois
Kansas State will look to rebound from its first loss of the season on Thursday, as the Wildcats play host to Eastern Illinois (5-4) at Bramlage Coliseum beginning at 7 p.m. The game will be the second of three games in a seven-day span for the Wildcats, which concludes non-conference play with Central Missouri State on Monday.
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.
Kansas State is coming off a hard-fought 76-66 loss to Rutgers before a season-high 10,133 fans on Tuesday. The crowd was the largest for a non-conference foe since the Wildcats beat Wichita State before 10,541 on Dec. 8, 1998. K-State was held to just 38.3 percent shooting, its lowest percentage since hitting on 34.4 percent of its shots in the second game against Denver on Nov. 24. The Scarlet Knights, whose backcourt of Ricky Shields and Quincy Douby combined for 47 points, shot a crisp 47.2 percent from the floor, including 45 percent from three-point range. The loss snapped a 21-game home court winning streak against non-conference opposition, which dated back to a 59-55 loss to Northwestern on Nov. 30, 2002. Sophomore Fred Peete led all Wildcat scorers with 16 points, while sophomore Cartier Martin totaled a season-best 15 points.
A quick look at the Cats
Kansas State is averaging 69.8 points on 44.0 percent (228-of-518) shooting this year with 39.3 rebounds, 16.8 assists and 6.2 steals. A balanced scoring team with six players averaging six or more points, the Wildcats are led by the duo of Jeremiah Massey (15.4 ppg., 7.0 rpg.) and Fred Peete (13.8 ppg., 5.1 rpg.). The team has been strong defensively, allowing just 61.4 points on 40.5 percent shooting.
Recapping Rutgers
Kansas State started a lineup of seniors Jeremiah Massey and Justin Williams and junior Cartier Martin at the forwards and sophomore Fred Peete and freshman Clent Stewart at the guards. It was the first time in nine games that the group has comprised K-State’s opening lineup.
The crowd of 10,133 for the game was the largest of the season and most since the Wildcats drew 11,103 fans for its game against Kansas on Jan. 28, 2004. It was the most for a non-conference game since the team drew 10,541 for Wichita State on Dec. 8, 1998.
Rutgers was the first Big East foe to meet Kansas State in the regular season and the first overall since the Wildcats lost to Boston College, 69-65, in the 1982 NCAA Midwest Regional in St. Louis. The Scarlet Knights are the first current member of the Big East to travel to Manhattan since Syracuse on Dec. 13, 1968.
The loss snapped Kansas State’s 21-game home court winning streak against non-conference foes dating back to a 59-55 setback to Northwestern on Nov. 30, 2002. It also fell to 34-6 under Wooldridge in non-conference home games.
Kansas State was held to just 38.3 percent shooting, its lowest percentage since hitting on 34.4 percent of its shots against Denver on Nov. 27. In contract, Rutgers hit on 47.2 percent of its shots, including 45 percent from 3-point range, with just five turnovers.
Kansas State did hit on a season-best 10 three-point field goals in the win, including three each from sophomores Fred Peete and Cartier Martin. Peete led all Cats with 16 points, while Martin added 15.
Still an Impressive Start
Kansas State may have seen its winning streak coming to an end at eight, but the Wildcats’ start is still ranks among the top 5 in school history. The team tied the start of the 1979-80 team that also jumped out to an 8-0 start before suffering their first loss at Minnesota. The record, which was the best start during the Wooldridge era, marks the sixth time in school history that the Wildcats have started a season 8-0 (starting with the first in 1918-19), but only the fourth time since the 1957-58 season. The 1918-19 team owns the best start in school history when they won their first 17 games.
Offensive Improvement
After a rocky start to the season, the Kansas State offense is starting to heat up. In the last six games, the Wildcats have averaged 72.7 points on 47.8 percent shooting (161-of-337), including 38.8 percent (33-of-85) from three-point range. K-State has surpassed its season-high for points (81) in three of its last six and set its season-bests for field goal shooting (51.8 vs. Northern Illinois) 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 six Wildcats averaging six or more points in the last five games compared to just five in the first three games.
Cardiac Cats
Kansas State, which scored 17 points in the last 3:34 to shock Wyoming on Dec. 11, has had to rally from second half deficits in five of its last nine 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 eight games. K-State has trailed in 154 minutes and 12 seconds this season, including 75 minutes and 19 seconds in the second half. In three of the last five 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). The Wildcats have outscored their opponents, 359-295, in the second half after holding just a 269-258 advantage at halftime.
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 six of its first nine games by 10 points or less.
The book on Eastern Illinois (5-4)
Eastern Illinois (5-4) enters Thursday’s contest well rested after a nine-day holiday break. The Panthers haven’t played since a 65-62 win over intra-state rival Western Illinois on Dec. 21. EIU started the season with a narrow loss at DePaul (51-53) before home wins over Evansville (79-74) and UMKC (77-69). The team has gone 3-3 since with wins over Benedictine (86-62), Idaho State (56-53) and WIU to go with losses to Indiana State (57-76), Northern Illinois (60-76) and Nevada (57-83).
Eastern Illinois is averaging 65.3 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting with 38.7 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 17.3 turnovers, 4.0 steals and 3.2 blocks.
EIU is paced by the duo of senior guard Emanuel Dildy and junior guard Josh Gomes, who average 14.9 and 14.2 points, respectively. Dildy also leads in assists (4.4) and free throw percentage (95.3). Senior forward Aaron Patterson is the team leader in rebounds (6.4), while he adds 8.6 points on a team-best 65.4 percent shooting.
Eastern Illinois returns four starters and nine lettermen from a team that posted a 6-21 record and finished in a tie for 10th in the Ohio Valley standings. uThe team is coached by Rick Samuels, who is 353-348 (.504) in his 25th season at Eastern Illinois. Samuels ranks second among active coaches in years coached at one Division I institution. He is 0-1 all-time against K-State, but 1-0 against current head coach Jim Wooldridge (at Central Missouri State)
Next Up: Central Missouri State
Kansas State concludes non-conference play on Monday, as the Wildcats play host to Central Missouri State (7-1) at Bramlage Coliseum beginning at 7 p.m. The Mules play at Pittsburg State on Thursday then again against Washburn on Sunday before traveling west to Manhattan. CMSU is coming off a 101-77 exhibition win over the Dreambuilders on Dec. 27. The Mules are averaging 85.4 points per game on 47.1 percent shooting with 39.6 rebounds and 17.0 assists. The team has three players averaging in double figures led by junior guard Michael Hicks, who is averaging 14.8 points.
Massey Comes Up Massive
Senior forward Jeremiah Massey broke out of a mini two-game slump against Northern Illinois with a career-best 32 points on 8-of-15 shooting and 16-of-17 free throws. Massey’s 32 points were the most by a Wildcat since Askia Jones scored a school-record 62 points against Fresno State in third round of the NIT on March 24, 1994. The 32-point effort was also matched twice by Elliot Hatcher against Auburn in 1994 and Marshall in 1995. He is the first Wildcat to score 30 or more points in a game since Pervis Pasco netted 30 against North Texas on Dec. 15, 2001.
For his efforts, Massey was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week. It was his first Player of the Week honor after twice earning Rookie accolades on Feb. 9 and March 8 of last season.
Massey also etched his name into the Kansas State record book for free throws, connecting on 16 of 17, including 12 of 13 in the second half. His 16 free throws set a Bramlage Coliseum record and tied for the fourth-most in school history. It was the most by a Wildcat since Steve Henson knocked down 17 against Iowa State on Feb. 24, 1988. His 17 attempts also tied for the most by a Wildcat in Bramlage with Askia Jones, who had 17 against Missouri in 1993.
The team leader in scoring (15.4) and rebounding (7.0), Massey has led the team in scoring on four occasions and has tallied double figure scoring in six of the team’s nine games.
Cats Gaining Respect
Even though Kansas State has not received one single vote in either Top 25 poll for its 8-1 start, the team has gained a measure of respect in both the Sagarin and CollegeRPI.com rankings. The Wildcats are No. 52 in the CollegeRPI.com rating, while the team is No. 74 in the latest Sagarin ranking. Both rankings attempt to duplicate the RPI used to determine the 65-team NCAA Tournament field. The Big 12 is rated as the second-best conference by Sagarin with five teams among the top 50 teams.
Getting Defensive
Kansas State has used strong defensive play to post its impressive 8-1 start. The Wildcats have allowed just 61.4 points on 40.5 percent shooting (211-of-521), including just 32.2 percent from three-point range (57-of-177), while forcing 123 turnovers. K-State has not allowed an opponent to shoot 50 percent or better from the field this season and just one to score 70 points. The team ranks among the top 50 nationally in three defensive categories, including 27th in scoring defense (58.7), 43rd in field goal percentage defense (38.9) and 48th in rebounding margin (6.7). The 628 points allowed is the fewest through the first nine games of the season since the 1984-85 squad allowed just 543 points in starting the season 7-2.
Second Half Heroics
Kansas State has shown to be a second half team in its first nine games. After halftime, the Wildcats are averaging 39.9 points on 48.0 percent shooting (120-of-250) compared to just 29.9 points on 40.3 percent shooting (108-of-268) in the first half. The team has also improved its assist-to-turnover ratio from the first frame. The Wildcats also have a significantly better assists-to-turnovers ratio in the second half (77-52) than first (74-66). K-State has a 30+ rebound advantage in both the first (181-147) and second (173-141) halves. The team has improved its field goal percentage in the second half in eight of nine games, including a 25-point increase against NDSU.
Clutch Shooting
Kansas State has picked up its offense at the right time in seven of its eight wins this year. The Wildcats have outscored its seven foes by an average of 5.1 points per game (165-129) in the last 10 minutes of games. If you take out the UAPB, UTSA and Northern Illinois games (which the Cats had sizeable second half leads), the Wildcats are even better in the last 10 minutes. In the five games in which the team has faced a second half deficit (and won), 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 had one of the best clutch efforts by a Wildcat in school history against Wyoming on Dec. 11. 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. Peete 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 followed these heroics with another strong effort against UTSA on Dec. 18, as he posted 22 points on 6-of-14 shooting with a season-tying five assists and five steals. He scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half, including 10 from the free throw line.
Peete ranks among the top three on the team in several categories, including first in steals (2.1 spg.) and minutes (33.8), second in scoring (13.8 ppg.) and assists (3.4 apg.) and third in rebounding (5.1 spg.).
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 nine games, Stewart is averaging 6.8 points on 40.4 percent shooting through this season with 4.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 31.2 minutes per game. He ranks ninth in the Big 12 (and second among freshman) in assists, while he has a solid 1.63 assist-turnover ratio. Stewart became the first freshman to start a season opener since 2001.
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
K-State will have all but one player - Dramane Diarra - available for Thursday’s game. He has not seen action this year after foot surgery in November.
Sir Lance-alot
Sophomore Lance Harris has been a solid player off the bench for the Wildcats this year. Harris, who has surpassed his season-high for points in three of his last five games, has surpassed his totals for points (64), field goals (24), three-point field goals (11) and assists (21) of last season in just nine games. Harris, who is averaging 7.1 points compared to just 2.1 points in 2003-04, is averaging 8.2 points on 43.2 percent shooting (16-of-37) in his last five games. He had a career-high 14 points against UTSA.
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 (15.4) and rebounding (7.0), Massey is much better across the board in the second half. He is shooting over 49.0 percent from the field (24-of-49) and is a near perfect 34-of-38 from the free throw line after halftime for an average of 9.1 points to go with 3.6 rebounds. He has scored in double figures in five of nine second halves this season, including 22 against Northern Illinois. In contrast, he is shooting just 33.3 percent in the first half (18-of-54) with an average of 6.3 points and 3.4 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 595-163 (.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, which 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 36 of their last 47 games in Bramlage Coliseum dating back to 2001-02. Overall, K-State is 50-22 (.694) at home under head coach Jim Wooldridge.
In its 17th season of hosting Wildcat basketball, Bramlage has seen Kansas State post a 182-72 (.717) record since its opening during the 1988-89 season.
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.
