Exhibition Game No. 1
EA Sports All-Stars (0-0) at Kansas State (0-0)
Thursday, November 4, 2005 ● 7:00 p.m. (CT)
Bramlage Coliseum (13,340) ● Manhattan, Kan.
On the Air
Radio none
Television none
Webcast www.k-statesports.com
The game will be webcast without play-by-play audio via the Powercat Passport subscription service.
Wildcats open exhibition slate against the EA Sports All-Stars Thursday
Looking to continue the momentum gained from posting its best record in six years last season, Kansas State tips off its 2005-06 exhibition season on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. when the Wildcats welcome the EA Sports All-Stars (0-0) to Bramlage Coliseum.
The game is the first of two exhibition games for Kansas State, which wraps up its preseason docket on Thursday, Nov. 10, when the Wildcats welcome Division II Emporia (Kan.) State at 7 p.m.
Neither exhibition game will be broadcast on the newly-formed K-State Sports Network due to a conflict with the Bill Snyder radio show, which runs from 7-8 p.m. each Thursday. However, fans may watch both exhibition games as well as the six non-televised games via webcast on the Powercat Passport subscription service at www.k-statesports.com.
Kansas State posted a 5-1 record in exhibition play last year, including its 3-1 mark on its Canadian exhibition tour in October. The Wildcats won both its home exhibition games a year ago, a 71-59 victory over the EA Sports All-Stars and an 88-69 win over Division II Pittsburg (Kan.) State.
A Quick Look at the Wildcats
Kansas State returns three starters and eight lettermen from last year’s 17-12 (6-10, 10th Big 12) squad. Junior guard/forward Cartier Martin is both the team’s leading returning scorer and rebounder from a year ago at 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He connected on 46.9 percent of his field goals last season, including a team-best 42.3 percent from the three-point arc. One of the most improved players in 2004-05, junior guard Lance Harris averaged 10.4 points and 2.3 assists in 29 games en route to being named to the Big 12 All-Reserve team by the league’s media. His 10.4 scoring average was the highest by a player with fewer than 10 starts in recent school history. A starter in eight games, including the last seven games of the season, Harris averaged over 15 points in the last 11 games. One of just two players to start all 29 games a year ago, sophomore point guard Clent Stewart became the first rookie in more than 18 years to lead the Wildcats in assists en route to breaking Steve Henson’s freshman mark for assists with 116. He averaged 5.0 points and 2.2 rebounds, but did rank eighth in the Big 12 with just over four assists per game.
K-State also returns a pair of post players, senior Dramane Diarra and junior Tyler Hughes, as well as reserve guards, senior Schyler Thomas and sophomore Curtis Allen. Diarra took a medical redshirt last season after playing in 16 games as a junior in 2003-04, while Hughes paced the team and ranked 13th in the Big 12 in blocked shot with just under one per game. Thomas brings valuable experience as he enters his fourth year in the program and Allen looks to take another step after playing in 16 games a year ago. The Wildcats also brought in a highly-regarded seven-man recruiting class to add depth and versatility.
New Offense, New Opportunities
After finding great success with a four-guard offense in the last few games of last season, the Kansas State coaching staff will utilize a more up-tempo offense in 2005-06 to take advantage of arguably the most athletic and versatile team of the Wooldridge era. The Wildcats have their entire starting backcourt returning led by one of the league’s top young point guards in Clent Stewart as well as shooting guard Lance Harris and the versatile guard/forward Cartier Martin. To go along with this group, the team brought in transfers David Hoskins, Mario Taybron and Akeem Wright.
The Wildcats used the offense exclusively in the latter part of the year, winning four of their last six games. The team picked up big regular-season wins over Baylor, Colorado and Nebraska before upsetting the seventh-seeded Texas A&M in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament. The lone losses in the stretch came to Big 12 co-champion Kansas.
During the six-game stretch with the new offensive scheme, Kansas State averaged 72.8 points on 46.3 percent shooting with 34.5 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 10.7 turnovers and 6.0 steals per game. The Wildcats averaged more than four points higher during this stretch than they did for the season as well as had a higher shooting percentage and a lower turnover average.
Noting K-State’s Newcomers
Kansas State welcomes the addition of seven players in 2005-06. The recruiting class includes juniors Serge Afeli, Mario Taybron and Akeem Wright, sophomore David Hoskins and freshmen Darren Kent and Deilvez Yearby.
A consensus Top 100 player out of high school, Mario Taybron joins the program after a one-year stint at Eastern Oklahoma State. Taybron averaged 15.0 points and 5.2 assists en route to guiding the Mountaineers to the semifinals of the Region II Tournament. He was a first team all-conference and honorable mention all-region selection. Taybron originally enrolled at Temple, where he saw action in eight games with six starts as a true freshman.
An honorable mention junior college All-American, Akeem Wright transferred from Neosho County Community College where he was a two-year starter for the Panthers. He averaged 11.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and a team-leading 6.7 assists as a sophomore en route to leading Neosho to the championship game of Region VI playoffs. Wright was selected first team All-Region VI and first team All-Jayhawk Conference East. He ranked fifth nationally in assists.
One of the newest members of the team, Serge Afeli enrolled at Kansas State in late August. Considered one of the top players in the Ivory Coast, Afeli has spent much the past few years with his emphasis on his academic career.
Another player with Division I experience, David Hoskins transferred from Schoolcraft (Mich.) College where he redshirted in 2004-05. He saw action in all 30 games, including 13 starts, as a true freshman at Central Michigan in 2003-04. He averaged 8.0 points with 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in playing 22 minutes per game for the Chippewas. He led the team in steals with 36, while he was third in points, rebounds, assists and blocks. He averaged 9.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in conference play.
An athletic big man that drew late recruiting buzz, Darren Kent was a two-year starter at Eastview High School, where he led the Lightning to a school-best 27-5 record this past year. Kent earned honorable mention all-state honors for all classes and was an unanimous selection for all-conference as a senior. He was named to the Minnesota State all-tournament team in Eastview’s run to the state title game. For the season, Kent averaged 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.
Another late signee, Deilvez Yearby erupted on to the national scene after a tremendous senior campaign. A three-year letterman and one-year starter at Central High School, he earned Class A third team all-state honors and was a first team all-city selection as a senior. He averaged a team-best 21.4 points on 59 percent shooting with a team-high 12.1 rebounds.
Wildcats in Exhibition Play
Kansas State is 8-6 in exhibition games in head coach Jim Wooldridge’s five seasons, including a 5-5 record in games played at Bramlage Coliseum. Last season, the Wildcats capped its exhibition season with a 5-1 record, which included a three-day, four-game exhibition trip to Vancouver, British Columbia in October. The team won both of its home exhibition games, including a 71-59 win over the EA Sports All-Stars on Nov. 3 and an 88-69 victory over Division II Pittsburg (Kan.) State on Nov. 11.
Kansas State averaged 80.5 points during its 2004-05 exhibition schedule 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. Departed senior Jeremiah Massey led the team with 17.8 points per game.
The Book on the EA Sports All-Stars
Thursday’s game at Kansas State will be the first of a six-game tour for the EA Sports All-Stars. After the game at K-State, the squad will play at Iowa State on Saturday, Creighton on Sunday, Providence on Tuesday, LSU on next Thursday and Utah State on next Saturday.
The All-Stars are led by head coach Maury Hanks. The 11-man roster of former college and pro players includes Bernard Rock (Utah State), Roy Stigall (Chaminade), Larry House (Creighton), Abdul Mills (Nebraska-Omaha), Chris Shumate (Murray State), Cardell Butler (Utah State), Anthony Walton (SE Oklahoma), Michael Joiner (Florida State), Anthony Richardson (Florida State), Prentiss Gates (Southern Tech) and Zoran Viskovic (Valparaiso).
Last time vs. the EA Sports All-Stars
Lance Harris led three Kansas State players in double figures with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting, as the Wildcats posted a 71-59 victory over the EA Sports All-Stars on Nov. 3 of last season. K-State jumped out to a 37-21 lead at halftime then held off a rally by the All-Stars to post its first win in two tries against the exhibition club.
The Wildcats connected on 45.9 percent of its field goals in the victory, including 50 percent in the second half. The squad also outrebounded the All-Stars, 33-26, and scored 27 points off 23 turnovers.
Playing a team-high 35 minutes, Harris connected on 4-of-8 three-point field goals to go with seven rebounds, three blocked shots, two assists (to zero turnovers) and one steals. Jeremiah Massey turned in a near double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Cartier Martin aded 10 points and seven rebounds.
Daniel Watts led all players with the EA Sports All-Stars with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Zoran Viskovic (the only player returning to this year’s game) and Chez Marks added nine points each. Chuck Roberts also tallied eight points.
Six of the nine players that saw action in last year’s contest will be available for Thursday’s game, including Harris, Martin, Clent Stewart (six points, five assists, one steal, 31 minutes), Schyler Thomas (no stats, 13 minutes), Curtis Allen (four points, 12 minutes) and Tyler Hughes (two points, one assist, one block, 20 minutes).
In addition, four players have seen action in both games against the EA Sports All-Stars, including Lance Harris, Tyler Hughes, Cartier Martin and Schyler Thomas. In the 2003 contest, Martin scored a game-high 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting with nine rebounds and two blocks, while Harris and Hughes added three and two points, respectively.
Free for All (Students)
Both men’s basketball exhibition games are free for Kansas State students. Students can pick up tickets at the Kansas State Athletic Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum with a university I.D.
Up Next: Emporia State (0-0)
Kansas State will conclude its exhibition schedule on Thursday, Nov. 11 when the Wildcats play host to Division II Emporia (Kan.) State at Bramlage Coliseum beginning at 7 p.m. This will mark the second straight season that the Wildcats have played a Division II in the exhibition after posting an 88-69 win over Pittsburg (Kan.) State last season. The two teams have not met since 1995 when the Wildcats earned a 63-57 victory. Overall, K-State leads the series, 10-8.
Emporia State posted their third straight winning season in 2004-05 with a 16-12 overall record, including an 8-10 mark in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play. Led by head coach David Moe, the Hornets were ranked as high as tenth in the nation last season in starting the season 10-1. ESU returns six lettermen, including leading scorer Tyrell Sledge (15.2 ppg., 4.1 apg.), 2003 MIAA Freshman of the Year Shawn Herrman (10.4 ppg., 5.1 rpg.) and MIAA Freshman of the Year Wes Book (11.5 ppg., 1.6 apg.). The Hornets begin their exhibition season on Tuesday, Nov. 1 against Wichita State.
Bench Change
One of the changes fans will notice in Bramlage Coliseum this year is the new bench location for the K-State men’s team. The Wildcats will be taking the bench at the north end of the arena, in front of sections 18 and 19, with the visiting team moving to the south end in front of sections 20 and 21. The change is result of a new Big 12 policy requiring the home bench to be located nearest the team’s pep band, which is seated at the north end of the court.
Ticket Sales Up
Excitement is building for the 2005-06 basketball season and it is particularly reflected in season ticket sales. In comparison to this same time a year ago, ticket sales are up nearly 500. Sales to students, in particular, have shown a marked increase over a year ago with nearly 3,500 season packages and Big 12 packs being sold to date.
In addition, some new seating areas have been designated for the public and students at men’s games. For non-conference games, public general admission seating will be available for $12 in Sections 12 and 13, rows 20 and above, on the north end of Bramlage Coliseum and sections 25, 26, 27, rows 20 and above, on the south end. During Big 12 games, all public seating will be reserved. For students, an area for student ICAT members has been reinstated. Students who have purchased ICAT tickets will have first opportunity to sit in sections 19 and 20 on a first-come, first-served basis up until 30 minutes prior to tipoff.
Public season ticket packages in good seating locations are still available beginning at $257 for bench seating and $288 for a cushioned bench seat. Some chairback locations remain available at $305. Or, check into the Flex Pack or Family Plan options. Single-game tickets are priced at $20 for chairback, $15 for reserved bench seating and $12 for general admission (non-league games only). And, don’t forget, a children’s ticket can be purchased on an individual-game basis for just $5 (except for the KU game) with the purchase of an adult ticket. For information, contact the K-State Athletic Ticket Office at 1.800.221.CATS.
K-State to Webcast Eight Live Basketball Games
Kansas State will offer live webcasts of eight men’s basketball games this season on Powercat Passport, the premium video service for high speed internet users at www.k-statesports.com. Fans can subscribe to Powercat Passport for just $9.95 per month or buy an annual subscription for $79.95. In addition to the live basketball webcasts, subscribers can watch live press conferences, postgame highlights, player and coach interviews and have on-demand access to hundreds of archrived videos, including classic games. The men’s webcast schedule begins with Thursday’s opening exhibition game against the EA Sports All-Stars. Coupled with the previously announced television schedule of 20 live telecasts this season, the addition of these webcasts will give fans the opportunity to see 28 of the 29 regular season and exhibition games this year.
FSN Midwest, K-State announces television slate
FSN Midwest will broadcast 12 Kansas State men’s basketball games, giving the Wildcats’ 20 television contests for the 2005-06 season. The television schedule opens with a non-conference game against New Mexico, the reigning Mountain West Conference Tournament champion, on Nov. 23. In addition to the Lobos, the Wildcats will play Cal State Fullerton on Nov. 30, Washington State on Dec. 3, Colorado State on Dec. 7 and Northern Illinois on Dec. 20 in non-league action on FSN Midwest.
The conference portion of play begins Jan. 11 with a home game against Nebraska. The Wildcats also battle Texas A&M (Jan. 18), Colorado (Jan. 28), Iowa State (Feb. 8), Missouri (Feb. 12), Texas Tech (Feb. 15) and Nebraska (March 1). The addition of the 12 games on FSN Midwest completes one of the most comprehensive television schedules in school history with a total of 20 regular-season telecasts, including 15 of 16 conference games.
Per Big 12 Conference guidelines, the K-State men’s regional basketball telecasts on FSN Midwest are available on cable and satellite in the state of Kansas and throughout the Kansas City area, reaching more than 1 million homes. There are no league restrictions on the four K-State women’s regional telecasts, which can air throughout the entire FSN Midwest territory. This is the third year of K-State’s partnership with FSN Midwest, which is also the exclusive home of the home of Bill Snyder, Jim Wooldridge and Deb Patterson TV shows. Those weekly shows are also available nationwide on satellite and to digital cable subscribers who have access to Fox College Sports.
Ben Boyle (play-by-play) and Stan Weber (analyst) will call K-State men’s basketball action on FSN Midwest.
’Cats to Play Texas on ESPN2
Kansas State will have at least one game broadcast on national television for the fifth straight season, as the Wildcats’ battle with preseason No. 3 Texas on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Bramlage Coliseum will be broadcast on ESPN 2 beginning at 7 p.m.
The appearance will mark the fifth straight season that Kansas State has appeared on either ESPN or ESPN2, including the fourth time in the last five seasons on ESPN2. The Wildcats, who will be making their sixth overall appearance on ESPN2, last appeared on the network in 2005 in their regular season finale against Kansas. This will also mark the second time in the last three seasons that the K-State-Texas contest has been broadcast on the ESPN family of networks. The Wildcats upset the 10th-ranked Longhorns, 58-48, in front of a national ESPN audience on March 6, 2004.
With the addition of the Texas game, Kansas State will now have a total of 20 games broadcast on television, including 12 on Fox Sports Midwest and seven regionally on ESPN Plus.
