Season Review: Late Surge Lifts K-State to Elite Eight, 25-win Season

SEASON IN REVIEW
Kansas State (25-12, 10-8 Big 12/4th)
NCAA South Regional Finalist / Elite Eight

K-STATE ADVANCES TO 12^th ELITE EIGHT; FIRST SINCE 2010

K-State earned its fourth NCAA Tournament in six seasons under head coach Bruce Weber in 2017-18, as the ninth-seeded Wildcats defeated 8-seed Creighton (69-59), 16-seed UMBC (50-43) and 5-seed Kentucky (61-58) before bowing out to 11-seed Loyola Chicago (62-78) in the South Regional Final… It marked the most NCAA Tournament wins (three) since also advancing to Elite Eight in 2010.
K-State advanced to the Elite Eight for the 12^th time in school history, including the first time since the 2009-10 season… The Wildcats also advanced to the Elite Eight in 1951, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1981 and 1988… This was Weber's second trip to the Elite Eight as a head coach and the first since taking Illinois to the 2005 Final Four and National Championship game.
K-State earned its 37^th overall postseason appearance, including its 30^th in the NCAA Tournament, in 2017-18… The school is now 43-42 all-time in postseason play (30 NCAAs and 7 NITs), including 37-34 in the NCAA Tournament… The Wildcats are now 4-3 as a No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament, in this, the third such appearance (1987, 2014, 2018)… The school has now won multiple games at an NCAA Tournament nine times (1951, 1958, 1964, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1988, 2010, 2018)… The Wildcats are now 3-10 in regional finals with seven consecutive losses in the round since advancing to the Final Four in 1964.
It was the school's eighth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 12 seasons and the first time in back-to-back seasons since making five consecutive trips from 2010-14… The team has now advanced to the postseason 10 times in the last 12 seasons, including four NCAA Tournaments under Weber.
K-State became the 22^nd Division I program to earn at least 30 bids to the NCAA Tournament, including the fourth Big 12 school, joining Kansas (47), Texas (34) and Oklahoma (31)… The 30 overall bids to the tournament tie Georgetown and Illinois for the 20^th-most by a Division I program.
K-State finished 19^th in the final USA Today Coaches poll released on April 3… It marked the first time that the Wildcats have finished in the final Coaches poll since finishing No. 20 in 2012-13, while it was the highest such ranking since finishing at No. 7 in 2009-10.

SIXTH 25-WIN SEASON; FIRST SINCE 2012-13

K-State concluded the 2017-18 season with a 25-12 overall record, which is the most wins in a single season since winning 27 in coach Bruce Weber's first season in 2012-13… It is the sixth 25-win season in school history, including the first since that 27-win campaign in 2012-13… The other 25-win seasons came in 1950-51 (25-4/Jack Gardner), 1958-59 (25-2/Tex Winter), 1987-88 (25-9/Lon Kruger) and 2009-10 (29-8/Frank Martin)… Weber is the first coach in school history to do it twice.
K-State collected a 20-win season for the 29^th time in school history, including the fourth time in six seasons under head coach Bruce Weber… The four 20-win seasons by Weber are the fourth-most by a head coach in school history, trailing Jack Hartman (seven), Tex Winter (five) and Frank Martin (five)… The Wildcats have posted 10 20-win seasons in the last 12 seasons, which is the best stretch in school history, and have registered a winning record 13 times in the last 14 seasons.

BREAKING DOWN THE SEASON

Among the 25 victories were nine over postseason teams, including NCAA Tournament participants Oklahoma, TCU (twice) and Texas (twice) and NIT participants Baylor (twice) and Oklahoma State (twice)… The team went 3-7 against Top 25 teams (No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 24 TCU and No. 18 Kentucky).

Eight of the 12 losses were to teams (Kansas, Loyola Chicago, Texas Tech and West Virginia) that made the Elite Eight, including four to teams (Kansas and Loyola Chicago) who made the Final Four… Overall, 11 of the 12 losses were to teams (Arizona State, Kansas, Loyola Chicago, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia) that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Six of the eight Big 12 losses came to teams (Kansas, Texas Tech and West Virginia) who finished above them in the conference standings, while the team was 10-2 against the rest of the league.

BIG 12 SUCCESS

K-State's 10 Big 12 wins were the most since also winning 10 in 2013-14… It marked the eighth time in the last 12 seasons that the team has posted double-digit conference victories… The six Big 12 home wins were the most since posting seven in 2014-15, as the Wildcats guaranteed themselves a winning home record in league play for the first time since 2014-15 (7-2)… The squad was 4-5 on the road in Big 12 play for the second consecutive season, which equals the entire Big 12 road win total (eight) from 2013-16.
K-State finished alone in fourth place in the Big 12 standings with a 10-8 league record after being picked eighth in the preseason poll… It is the highest finish since winning the league title in 2012-13.
K-State swept season series from Baylor, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Texas… It was the most conference sweeps in a single season since the Big 12 Championship in 2012-13 when the Wildcats did it against six opponents (Baylor, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia)… It marked the first sweep of Baylor since 2013, Iowa State since 2011, Oklahoma State since 2012 and Texas since 2017.
K-State received a bye to the quarterfinals of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship for the second consecutive season and defeated TCU, 66-64, in overtime before losing to eventual champion Kansas, 83-67, in the semifinals… It marked the first time advancing to the semifinals in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the Big 12 era and the first time since going to the finals in 1980 and 1981.

LOTS OF CLOSE GAMES

Nearly half of K-State's 37 games this season (22) were decided by 10 points or less, including nine by 5 points or less… The Wildcats boasted a 16-6 (.727) record in games decided by 10 points or less this past season, including a 7-3 (.700) mark in Big 12 play… The team was 7-2 (.778) in games decided by 5 points or less with its only setbacks coming at neutral site to Arizona State and at Kansas.

HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE

K-State tallied a 14-4 record in home venues, including a 14-3 mark at Bramlage Coliseum… The school is now 366-116 all-time at Bramlage Coliseum… The 366 victories are the second-most at a home venue… The Wildcats have now posted double-digit wins at Bramlage Coliseum for 17 consecutive seasons (2001-present).
K-State is now 165-36 at home over the last 12 seasons, including 72-31 in Big 12 play… Head coach Bruce Weber is now 81-20 at Bramlage Coliseum since taking over in 2012-13.

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS

K-State went 11-2 in non-conference play, including an 8-0 mark at Bramlage Coliseum… The team has now won double-digit non-conference games 11 times in the last 12 seasons and is 33-6 in non-conference play since over the last three seasons.
Overall, K-State is now 130-33 in non-conference play dating back to the 2006-07 season, including 90-5 at Bramlage Coliseum… The Wildcats have won 23 consecutive non-conference games at Bramlage Coliseum dating back to the start of the 2015-16 season.

SUCCESS AWAY FROM HOME

K-State went 11-8 away from home (6-5 on the road and 5-3 at neutral sites) in 2017-18… The 11 wins were the most away from home since posting 15 such wins in 2009-10… The six true road wins tied for the most on the road since posting seven such wins in 2012-13… The four Big 12 road wins tied for the fourth-most in the Big 12 era, trailing the six in 2009-10 and 2012-13 and five in 2011-12.

WEBER NOW FOURTH ALL-TIME IN WINS

Head coach Bruce Weber completed his 20^th season as a head coach in 2017-18, including his sixth at Kansas State… He has a 438-235 (.651) overall record in his head coaching career, including a 125-80 (.610) mark in tenure at K-State… The 125 victories rank fourth all-time in school history and are the most wins since Jack Hartman retired as the winningest coach in 1986 with 295 career victories.
Weber is the fifth different head coach to lead K-State to at least four NCAA Tournament (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018), while he joined Jack Hartman (1978-82), Lon Kruger (1986-90) and Frank Martin (2007-12) as the only coaches to accomplish it four times in a six-year period… His four appearances tie Kruger and Martin for third place all-time, trailing just Hartman (seven) and Tex Winter (six) in school history.
Weber is now 15-12 all-time in the NCAA Tournament as a head coach, in this, his 12^th trip to the NCAA Tournament (six at Illinois, four at K-State and two at Southern Illinois), which includes a 4-4 mark at K-State… He is the 10^th Division I coach to take three different teams to the Sweet 16 (K-State, Illinois, Southern Illinois) in his career, while he is the 41^st head coach in NCAA history to take three different schools to the NCAA Tournament, including the 21^st active coach.
The four 20-win seasons by Weber are the fourth-most by a head coach in school history, trailing Jack Hartman (seven), Tex Winter (five) and Frank Martin (five).

BROWN, WADE LEAD THE WAY IN INDIVIDUAL HONORS

Juniors Barry Brown, Jr., and Dean Wade became just the sixth tandem in the Big 12 era to earn spots on the Coaches' 15-member All-Big 12 First, Second or Third Teams and the first since Rodney McGruder (first team) and Angel Rodriguez (third team) in 2013… Wade became just the fourth Wildcat to be named to the Coaches' All-Big 12 First Team, while Brown was selected to the Second Team and All-Defensive Team.
Wade joins Michael Beasley (2008), Jacob Pullen (2010, 2011) and McGruder (2013) as the only First Team selections in the Big 12 era with only Beasley and Pullen doing it as undergraduates… Brown is just the eighth Wildcat to earn recognition to the Second Team and the sixth to be named to the All-Defensive Team.
Brown and Wade were named to AP All-Big 12 Team, earning Second Team honors.
Brown and Wade were named to the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-District VI team, becoming the 14^th and 15^th Wildcats to earn recognition from the USBWA and just the third tandem to be selected for All-District honors, following Michael Beasley and Bill Walker in 2008 and Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen in 2010… They are the first K-State players named All-District since 2013.
Brown and sophomore Xavier Sneed were named to NCAA South Regional All-Tournament Team… They are the first Wildcats to earn recognition to NCAA All-Tournament Team since Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen were named to the 2010 NCAA West Regional All-Tournament team.
Sophomore Makol Mawien was named to the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team after a pair of impressive efforts for Kansas State against TCU and No. 9/9 Kansas at the Championship... Mawien became the 17^th Wildcat selected to the Big Eight/12 Championship All-Tournament team and the first since Rodney McGruder and Angel Rodriguez earned the recognition in 2013.
Wade was named the Big 12 Player of the Week as well as the Citizen Naismith National Player of the Week on Jan. 22… He is the 13th Wildcat to earn Player of the Week honors and the first since Wesley Iwundu earned the accolade on Nov. 16, 2015… Overall, it marked the school's 26th Player of the Week honor since the inception of the Big 12 in 1997, including the 10th under head coach Bruce Weber.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Four Wildcats were named to the Academic All-Big 12 Team, including First Team selections Mason Schoen, Kade Kinnamon and Pierson McAtee and Second Team honoree Xavier Sneed… Schoen repeated his first team accolades from a year ago, while Kinnamon, McAtee and Sneed all received the honor for the first time in their respective careers… Sneed was a member of the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team last season as freshmen are not eligible for academic all-league honors… The four Academic All-Big 12 selections and the three first team recipients tied for the second-most in school history, as both were only surpassed in 2017 with five overall honorees, including four first team selections.
In Bruce Weber's tenure at K-State, he has now seen 13 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big 12 honors a total of 16 times. The individual honors continue another solid academic year for the Wildcats, as all four selections were among eight players named to the Fall 2017 Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.

OFFENSIVE TEAM NOTES

K-State improved in 7 offensive categories for the fourth consecutive year in 2017-18, surpassing marks for scoring (2,630), field goals made (937), field goals attempted (2,025), field goal percentage (46.3), 3-point field goals made (254), 3-point field goals attempted (745) and free throw percentage (73.4).
The 2,630 points were the second-highest total in school history and the highest since posting a school-record 2,949 points in 2009-10… It marked the sixth-time in school history that a Wildcat team has eclipsed 2,500 points in a single season and the 12^th consecutive season with at least 2,000 points… The 937 field goals made were the third-most in school history and the most since setting the school record with 981 in 2009-10… The 2,025 attempts were the sixth-most and the most since a school-record 2,182 in 2009-10.
The 71.1 points per game average was the seventh-highest scoring average in the last 25 seasons and just the ninth time in that same span averaging better than 70 points per game.
K-State's 11 games of 80 or more points (which included 3 90-point games) were the most since also posting 11 such games in 2010-11… Five of the 11 80-point games came in Big 12 play… The 11 games are one more than 2016-17 and double the totals from 2013-14 (4) and 2014-15 (4).
The 46.3 field goal percentage (937-of-2025) ranks as the sixth-highest in the shot clock era, including the highest in the Big 12 era… It was the highest field goal percentage since shooting 46.4 percent in 1989-90.
Sophomore Makol Mawien posted the sixth-highest single-season field goal percentage at 59.8 percent (104-of-174) and the highest by a sophomore in school history, surpassing Tyrone Adams (52.1/1979-80).
K-State connected on 50 percent or better from the field 15 times, including 9 times vs. Big 12 foes… The Wildcats shot 50 percent or better vs. American (11/10), Northern Arizona (11/20), Arizona State (11/23), Vanderbilt (12/3), USC Upstate (12/5), SE Missouri State (12/16), Iowa State (12/29), Oklahoma State (1/10), Oklahoma (1/16), TCU (1/20), Baylor (1/22), Texas (2/7), Oklahoma State (2/14), Iowa State (2/17) and Baylor (3/3)… It was the highest total since also doing it in 19 games in 1987-88.
K-State connected on at least 50 percent of its field goals in at least one half of 21 games, including hitting the mark in both halves vs. Arizona State, Vanderbilt, USC Upstate, SE Missouri State, Iowa State, TCU, Baylor (twice), Texas and Oklahoma State.
The Wildcats also performed well offensively during Big 12 play, averaging 71.0 points in Big 12 play on 46.8 percent shooting (451-of-963), including 35.9 percent (125-of-348) from long range, and connected on 74.5 percent (251-of-337) from the free throw line... It was the highest scoring average in Big 12 play since averaging 76.8 points in 2009-10.
K-State set school record for both single-season 3-point field goals made (254) and attempted (745)… The 254 treys were one better than the previous school mark of 253 in 2009-10, while the 745 attempts were 35 more than the previous mark of 710 in 1993-94… The 15 3-point makes against Arizona State (11/23) tied for the second-most in a single game and the most since also connecting on 15 vs. Nebraska (1/8/2000), while the 13 makes at Iowa State (12/29) tied 8 others for the eighth-most in a single game… The 32 attempts vs. Arizona State and Tulsa (12/9) tied for the third-most attempts in a single game.
Sophomore Xavier Sneed was one of five Wildcats with 30 or more 3-point field goals, as he led the team in both makes (65) and attempts (189)… Sneed's 189 attempts tied for the 10^th-most in a single season… Junior Kamau Stokes' 7 treys vs. Arizona State (11/23) tied for the fourth-most in a single game.
The 73.4 free throw percentage was the fourth-highest in school history and the best since hitting on 73.9 percent in 1987-88… Junior Barry Brown, Jr. became the first Wildcat since 2012 to go perfect from the line on 10 or more attempts with a 12-of-12 effort in a win at Baylor (1/20).
The 510 assists rank as the ninth-most in school history and the fourth time in the last 6 seasons under Bruce Weber that the Wildcats have dished out 500 or more assists… It is the 10^th 500-assist season.
Juniors Barry Brown, Jr., (120) and Kamau Stokes (103) each posted 100 assists during the season… Stokes became the eighth Wildcat to register 300 or more assists in a career with his current total of 305 ranking 8^th all-time, while he ranks 9^th in career assists/game at 3.55… Brown is not far from the Top 10 with 254 career assists… Fellow junior Dean Wade could become the 25^th Wildcat with 200 or more assists with 190 in his career heading into 2018-19.
The 1.206 assist-turnover ratio (510/423) ranks as the fourth-highest in school history and the best since posting a 1.245 ratio (503/404) in 2013-14… Three of the Top 4 single season assist-turnover ratio have come under Bruce Weber.

DEFENSIVE TEAM NOTES

K-State ranked second in the Big 12 in a number of defensive categories, including scoring defense (67.0), 3-point field goal percentage (33.0), steals (7.9), and turnover margin (+3.0)… The Wildcats lowered their opponent scoring average (67.8), field goal percentage (42.5) and 3-point field goal percentage (33.0) from 2016-17… It was the lowest opponent field goal percentage since 2013-14.
The Wildcats were 14-1 when holding an opponent to 65 points or less, including 7-1 in non-conference play… Eleven opponents were held to 60 points or less, while 12 foes shot 40 percent shooting or less.

The 30.7 rebounds per game average was the lowest by a K-State team since averaging just 30.0 per game in 1984-85… The Wildcats finished 10^th in the Big 12 in all major rebounding categories, including overall rebounding, offensive rebounds (8.2), defensive rebounds (22.5) and rebounding margin (-3.4).
The 294 steals in 2017-18 broke the school's single season record, surpassing the previous mark of 282 set in 1993-94… Four of the Top 10 single season steals marks have come in 6 seasons under Bruce Weber… The 7.95 steals average ranks fifth in school history and was the highest averaging 8.44 in 1994-95… Ten times the team posted double-digit steals, including tying the school single-game mark with 19 vs. Northern Arizona (11/20) and tying the school single NCAA Tournament mark with 13 vs. UMBC (3/18).
K-State ranked eighth nationally in total steals (294) and 18^th in steals per game (7.9).
K-State was one of just 5 schools (Georgia State, Nicholls State, Purdue and Stephen F. Austin) with 3 players (Barry Brown, Jr., Dean Wade and Xavier Sneed) with 40 or more steals.
A year after breaking the single-season record for steals with 82, junior Barry Brown, Jr., tied for the second-most total with 67 in 2017-18, while his 1.81 per game average placed eighth for a single season… He ranked second in the Big 12 in overall steals for second straight season, while his 36 in league play was also second… He ranked 24^th nationally in total steals and 58^th in average… His 6 steals vs. Northern Arizona (11/20) and Oklahoma State (1/10) tied for the 8^th-most in a single game… Sophomore Xavier Sneed tied for the eighth-most steals in a single season with 59.
Brown's 189 career steals rank third all-time, just 21 behind Jacob Pullen's school record (210/2007-11), while his 1.80 career average ties for second in school history… Three others (Dean Wade/97, Kamau Stokes/93 and Xavier Sneed/92) are approaching 100 career steals.
The Wildcats forced double figure turnovers in 34 games, including 20 or more turnovers twice, with a school-record tying 31 vs. Northern Arizona (11/20) and 20 vs. No. 4/6 Oklahoma (1/16).
K-State averaged 17.3 points per game off turnovers, including 15.9 points per game in Big 12 play, and outscored opponents, 639-423… The Wildcats had at least 20 points off turnovers in 13 games with a school record 38 vs. Northern Arizona (11/20) and 36 vs. USC Upstate (12/5).

WEBER DEFENSIVE ACCOLADES

K-State has put up some impressive defensive numbers under Weber, leading the Big 12 in scoring defense twice in the past 5 seasons (60.4 ppg., in 2012-13 and 65.4 ppg., in 2013-14).
Since Weber's arrival in 2012-13, the Wildcats lead the Big 12 in scoring defense (64.1 ppg.).
69 opponents have been held to 60 points or less in Weber's tenure with the Wildcats boasting a 62-7 (.899) mark in those contests (losses to Kansas in 2012, Northern Colorado and Kentucky in 2013, Texas Southern and Georgia in 2014, Texas and Oklahoma State in 2016 and West Virginia in 2017).
K-State has a 104-28 (.788) record under Bruce Weber when holding an opponent to 69 points or less and 21-52 (.288) when allowing 70 or more.
K-State has scored more than 3,000 points (3,100) off turnovers during Weber's tenure, an average of 15.1 points per game.

OFFENSIVE BALANCE KEY TO SUCCESS

Balance was a key component for the K-State's success in 2017-18, as six players averaged better than 6.8 points per game, including three (Dean Wade, Barry Brown, Jr., and Xavier Sneed) in double figures… Five different players led the Wildcats in scoring, including 13 each by Brown and Wade… In all, eight different players posted at least one double-digit scoring game, including 29 by Brown and 28 by Wade… Also, five players had at least one 20-point game, including 11 each by Brown and Wade.
In all, starters were responsible for 88 percent of the team's 2,630 points, 937 made field goals and school-record 254 made 3-pointers and 90 percent of the 510 assists.
Starters led in scoring and assists in all 37 games and all but 2 games in rebounding.
Seven Wildcats connected on 45 percent or better from the field, including 4 of 6 primary starters (Cartier Diarra and Kamau Stokes started 22 and 20 games)… These six starters combined to shoot 47 percent from the field (821-of-1748), including 35.3 percent (225-of-637) from 3-point range, in 2017-18 with 113 double-figure scoring games and 30 20-point games.
K-State averaged 77 points on 50.6 percent shooting, including 36.4 percent from 3-point range, to go with 16.5 assists and 11.6 turnovers per game in the 13 games in 2017-18 when four or more players score in double figures… In contrast, in the 10 games where two or less players posted double digits, the Wildcats averaged just 59.2 points on 39.3 percent shooting, including 25.8 percent from 3-point range, to go with 11.5 assists and 12.3 turnovers per game.
Since Weber took over as head coach in 2012-13, K-State has posted a 52-18 (.743) record when four or more players score in double figures, including an 11-2 (.846) mark in 2017-18… The team was 9-1 (4-0 in Big 12 play) when sophomore Makol Mawien scored in double figures, while the team was 8-2 when redshirt freshman Cartier Diarra registered double digits.

IMPRESSIVE SCORING FEAT

In the Big 12 opener at Iowa State (12/29), Dean Wade (34), Kamau Stokes (23) and Barry Brown, Jr. (21) combined for 78 of the team's 91 points on 62.8 percent shooting (27-of-43), including 64.7 percent (11-of-17) from 3-point range… It was also the most combined points for three Wildcat players since Michael Beasley (44), Bill Walker (31) and Clent Stewart (5) combined for 80 points at Baylor on Feb. 23, 2008.
The scoring night marked just the second time that the Wildcats had a 30-point scorer and two 20-point scorers in the same game since Chuckie Williams (34), Daryl Winston (23) and Mike Evans (20) accomplished the feat in a 108-93 victory at Iowa State on Jan. 29, 1975… It marked the first time that the Wildcats had 3 20-point scorers in the same game since the 2010 West Regional Semifinal vs. Xavier.

TAKING CARE OF THE BALL

Another key component of the Wildcats' success in 2017-18 was its ability to take care of the ball, averaging 11.4 turnovers per game… The average ranked 44^th nationally and tied with West Virginia for first in the Big 12, while the team ranked 30^th nationally and second in the Big 12 in turnover margin (+3.0)… It was the lowest turnover average in school history with only the 1982-83 and 2012-13 teams averaging less than 12 turnovers per game since the stat was kept consistently in the early 1980s.
K-State posted 12 turnovers or less in 27 of 37 games, including single digit turnovers on 10 occasions (UC Irvine, George Washington, Oral Roberts, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma State (twice), Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma and Loyola Chicago)… The season-low of 5 turnovers against George Washington (11/24) tied for the seventh-fewest turnovers in a game in school history.

SUCCESS BEYOND THE ARC

K-State set school records for both 3-point field goals made (254) and attempted (745) in 2017-18, while connecting on 34.1 percent from the field... It marked the second straight season that the Wildcats posted at least 247 makes in a season after tallying the third-most in 2016-17.
K-State knocked down at least 8 3-pointers in 17 games, including double-digit treys against American, Arizona State, USC Upstate, SE Missouri State, Iowa State (twice) and West Virginia.
Ten Wildcats had at least one 3-pointer, including 5 with 30 or more treys (Xavier Sneed, Barry Brown, Jr., Dean Wade, Kamau Stokes and Cartier Diarra)… It marked just the third time in school history that 5 players had 30 or more 3-pointers in the same season (2012-13 and 2016-17)… In fact, four players with 30 or more treys has been done only one other time in school history (2007-08).
Wade ranked third in the Big 12's 3-point field goal percentage, while Sneed was 15^th in makes per game.
K-State has made at least one 3-pointer in 344 consecutive games since the start of the 2008-09 season.

DYNAMIC DUO

Juniors Dean Wade (16.2 ppg.) and Barry Brown, Jr. (15.9 ppg.) developed into one of the top scoring tandems in the Big 12, as they ranked seventh and eighth, respectively, in scoring in the Big 12… They were responsible for nearly 44 percent of the team's scoring (1,123/2,603 points) on 49.3 percent shooting (401-of-813), including 36.8 percent (82-of-223) from 3-point range, and 76.4 percent (239-of-313) from the free throw line… They combined to score in double figures 57 times this season.
The 1,123 combined points by Wade and Brown were the sixth-most by a tandem in school history and the most since Jacob Pullen (715) and Denis Clemente (613) combined for 1,328 in 2009-10.
Brown and Wade became the 30^th and 31^st players in school history to top 500 or more points in a single season with Brown finishing just out of the single season Top 10 with 590 points and Wade totaling 533… They became just the seventh duo in school history to score 500 or more points in the same season and the first since Jacob Pullen (715) and Denis Clemente (613) in 2009-10… Other tandems to do it include Chuckie Williams (585) and Mike Evans (502) in 1975-76, Evans (566) and Curtis Redding (516) in 1976-77 and Evans (555) and Redding (514) in 1977-78), Norris Coleman (609) and Joe Wright (544) in 1985-86 and Cartier Martin (599) and David Hoskins (508) in 2006-07.
Brown scored in double figures in a team-best 29 games, just one ahead of Wade's 28, while the two combined for 22 20-point games (11 each)… Ten of Wade's 11 20-point games came in Big 12 play, which included six consecutive 20-point games from Jan. 13 to Jan. 29 (Kansas [twice], Oklahoma, TCU, Baylor, Georgia)… Eight of Brown's 11 20-point games came in league play, including a pair of 30-point games with a career-best 38 vs. Oklahoma State (1/10) and 34 at Baylor (1/22).

WADE, BROWN EVEN BETTER IN BIG 12 PLAY

The duo of Wade and Brown was even better in Big 12 play, as Wade ranked second in scoring at 18.8 points on 55 percent shooting and Brown fourth at 18.6 points on 49.4 percent shooting in league-only action… In finishing second and fourth in scoring in league-only games, they became the first Wildcat duo to finish in the Top 5 since Michael Beasley (28.4 ppg./1st) and Bill Walker (16.6 ppg./3rd) in 2007-08.

Wade and Brown were responsible for 53 percent of the Wildcats' scoring (673/1,278 points) in league play on 52.2 percent (241-of-462) shooting, including 41.7 percent (55-of-132) from 3-point range, and 75.8 percent (135-of-178) from the free throw line… They combined to score in double figures 34 times in Big 12 play with 18 combined 20-point games.
Wade' 339 points in Big 12 play were the third-most by a Wildcat in conference play, following Michael Beasley (455/2007-08) and Jacob Pullen (342/2010-11), while Brown's 334 points tie for the fifth-most in a conference season in school history… In fact, only 10 Wildcats have scored 300 or more points in a single conference season and this was the first season that two have done it in the same season.

TRANSFORMATIVE SEASON

Junior Dean Wade made a huge jump in production in 2017-18, leading the Wildcats in scoring at 16.2 points per game on 55 percent shooting (198-of-360), including 44 percent (40-of-91) from 3-point range, to go with 75.2 percent (97-of-129) from the free throw line… He scored in double figures in 28 games, including a team-tying 11 20-point games, and led the way in scoring on 13 occasions.
Wade's 16.2 points per game average was the highest by a Wildcat since Jacob Pullen averaged 20.2 points as a senior in 2010-11… His jump in production as a junior came after averaging just 9.3 points as a sophomore in 2016-17 on 49.6 percent (117-of-236) shooting, including 40.2 percent (39-of-97) from 3-point range, and 66.3 percent (53-of-80) from the free throw line.
Wade is the fourth Wildcat to shoot 50 percent or better from the field, 40 percent or better from the 3-point line and 75 percent from the free throw line in a single season and the first double-digit scorer to do it since Mitch Richmond (22.3 ppg., 51.4 FG%, 46.9 3FG%, 77.5 FT%) and Will Scott (12.2 ppg., 51.2 FG%, 49.6 3FG%, 83.3 FT%) both did it during the 1987-88 season.
Wade led the way in seven categories, including double-doubles (4), 20-point games (11), 3-point field goal percentage, rebounding (6.2 rpg.), offensive rebounds (43), defensive rebounds (160), total rebounds (203), while he was second in a majority of others, including points (530), double-digit scoring games (28), field goals (198), field goals attempted (360), field goal percentage, free throws (97), free throws attempted (129), blocks (27) and minutes/game (32.8).

Wade was one of just 15 players in the Big 12 era to average at least 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals in a single season, joining the likes of Iowa State's Curtis Stinson, Oklahoma State's Tony Allen, Texas' P.J. Tucker and Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart… He was only one of just three Big 12 players to accomplish the feat since 2012-13, joining Smart (2012-13 and 2013-14) and Kansas' Josh Jackson.
With 533 points and 203 rebounds this season, Wade was the first Wildcat since Michael Beasley in 2007-08 to post 500 points and 200 rebounds in a single season.
Wade also had four double-doubles this season and narrowly missed becoming the first Wildcat with a triple-double vs. Iowa State (2/17) with 22 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds.

BROWN NOT TO BE OVERSHADOWED

Not to be overshadowed by Wade's season, Barry Brown, Jr., enjoyed a tremendous junior season pacing the Wildcats in most offensive categories, including points (590), double-digit scoring games (29), 20-point games (11), field goals made (203) and attempted (453), free throws made (142) and attempted (184) and assists (120), while connecting on 44.8 percent from the field and 77.2 percent from the free throw line.
Brown's 590 points were just outside the school's single season Top 10 and the most since Jacob Pullen scored 626 points as a senior in 2010-11… His 29 double-digit scoring games tied for the seventh-most in a single season and the most since Rodney McGruder also had 29 in 2012-13.
Brown's jump in production as a junior came after averaging 11.7 points on 41.2 percent (146-of-354) shooting and 61.5 percent (72-of-117) from the free throw line as a sophomore in 2016-17.

Brown became the first Wildcat since Rodney McGruder in 2013 with multiple 30-point games, scoring a career-high 38 points against Oklahoma State (1/10) and 34 against Baylor (1/22)… The 38-point scoring output was the most by a Wildcat since Jacob Pullen also scored 38 points against Wisconsin in the NCAA?Tournament on March 19, 2011, while it was most in a Big 12 home game since Pullen's 38 vs. No. 1/1 Kansas on Feb. 14, 2011… In the win over the Bears, Brown scored 34 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range, and went a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line.
Brown enters his senior season with 1,283 career points, which is 44 points shy of the school's Top 10.
Brown also led the Wildcats in assists (120), steals (67) and minutes played (1,285)… He broke the school record for minutes played (1,285), eclipsing Denis Clemente's (1,284/2009-10) mark by just one minute… His 67 steals tied for the second-most in a single season.

With his five rebounds vs. TCU (3/8) in the Big 12 Championship, Brown became the first Wildcat to have 500 points, 100 rebounds, 100 assists and 50 steals in a single season.

MINUTE MAN

Junior Barry Brown, Jr., established a new single-season minutes record at K-State in 2017-18, logging 1,285 minutes to surpass Denis Clemente's mark (1,284/2009-10) by a single minute… He is just the fourth to log more than 1,200 minutes in a single season, joining Clemente, Steve Henson (1,243/1987-88) and Mitch Richmond (1,200/1987-88)… For the season, Brown averaged 34.7 minutes per game, which is the 10^th-best average for a single season.
Brown enters his senior season with 3,283 minutes, which already ranks ninth on the career minutes played list and a mere 1,191 away from Steve Henson's school-record of 4,474 from 1987-90.
Brown also tied seven others for the most game played (37) in a single season in 2017-18 as well as five others for the most games started (37)… Teammates Makol Mawien and Xavier Sneed also started and played in all 37 games, while Cartier Diarra also played in all 37 games.
Brown currently ranks fifth in consecutive games started (83) and eighth in consecutive games played (105) in school history... He needs just 30 games played to tie the career record of 135 set by Jacob Pullen (2007-11) and Rodney McGruder (2009-13).

DON'T OVERLOOK SNEED

Sophomore Xavier Sneed was a solid option in 2017-18, averaging 11.1 points on 41.7 percent shooting (141-of-338), including 34.4 percent (65-of-189) from 3-point range, and 73.9 percent (65-of-88) from the free throw line to go with 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 31.4 minutes per game… He also averaged double figures in Big 12 play, averaging 10.3 points on 40.1 percent shooting (63-of-157), including 34.8 percent (32-of-92) from long range, to go with 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 assists.
Sneed was the Wildcats' top 3-point threat with 65 treys on 34.4 percent shooting, while he ranked second or third in most statistical categories, including second in rebounding (5.1 rpg.) and steals (1.6 spg.) and third in scoring (11.1 ppg.), double-figure scoring games (22), 20-point games (four) and field goals made (141) and attempted (338).
Sneed took another big step during the Wildcats' run in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 13.8 points on 48.8 percent (20-of-41) shooting, including 50 percent (11-of-22) from 3-point range, to go with 7.0 rebounds in 34.0 minutes per game… He led the team in both scoring and rebounding against No. 18/20 Kentucky (3/22) and Loyola Chicago (3/24), including a 22-point effort in the win over the Wildcats.
Sneed logged the ninth-most minutes (1,160) in a single season and tied seven others for the most games played (37) as well as five others for the most starts (37)… Teammates Barry Brown, Jr., and Makol Mawien also started and played in all 37 games, while Cartier Diarra also played in all 37 games.
Sneed posted his first career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds vs. Oklahoma State (1/10), while he grabbed a career-best 13 rebounds against Texas (2/21).
Sneed became the first Wildcat in recorded history to lead the team in five categories vs. Tulsa (12/9/17) with team-bests in points (15), rebounds (8), assists (4), steals (3) and blocks (1) in 32 minutes of action.

DIARRA FILLS IN FOR STOKES

Redshirt freshman Cartier Diarra played well in place of the injured Kamau Stokes, taking over at the point guard spot against Oklahoma State (1/10) and starting the final 22 games… Seven of his 10 double-digit scoring games came in this stretch, including an 18-point effort at No. 12/12 Kansas (1/13).

Diarra replaced Stokes in the first half at Texas Tech (1/6), registering double figures for the first time in his career with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, in 30 minutes.
Diarra, who averaged 3.9 points on 44.2 percent shooting in the 14 games off the bench prior to the Texas Tech game, averaged 9.0 points on 47.7 percent shooting (71-of-149), including 41 percent (25-of-61) from 3-point range, and 72.7 percent (40-of-55) from the free throw line in 28.9 minutes per game in the last 23 games… Since earning his first start, he averaged 8.9 points on 47.2 percent shooting (68-of-144), including 39.7 percent (23-of-58) from long range, and 72.5 percent (23-of-58) from the free throw line.

STOKES MISSES SIGNIFICANT TIME AGAIN

Junior Kamau Stokes missed significant time for the second time in three seasons in 2017-18, as a foot injury against Texas Tech (1/6) forced him to miss seven games… He returned to the lineup against No. 15/11 West Virginia (2/3), playing the last 15 games, including starts in the last five games.
Prior to the injury against Texas Tech (1/6), Stokes was one of three players averaging 14 points (14.2 ppg.) on 42 percent shooting with 4.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game… He scored in double figures in 11 of these 14 games, including three 20-point games.
After Stokes returned against West Virginia (2/3), he averaged just 4.6 points on 27.6 percent shooting with 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 23.4 minutes in the last 15 games… He scored in double figures just three times, including 11 vs. Creighton (3/16) and 13 vs. Loyola Chicago (3/24) in the NCAA Tournament.

McGUIRL STEPS UP WHEN IT MATTERS MOST

Despite playing in just seven games during the regular season, freshman guard Mike McGuirl made the most of his opportunity in the postseason… He played in the last five games of the season, including all of four NCAA Tournament games, registering 20 or more minutes four times… He scored 31 of his 40 points this season during this stretch on 37 percent shooting (10-of-27) from the field and 70 percent (7-of-10) from the free throw line… During this five-game stretch, he averaged 6.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.4 minutes per game in a prominent role off the bench.
McGuirl played a huge role in K-State's first-round win over Creighton (3/16), scoring in double figures for the first time in his career with 17 points off the bench on 6-of-10 field goals, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 2-of-3 from the free throw line in a career-best 22 minutes… It was the most points by a Wildcat freshman in an NCAA Tournament game since Michael Beasley had 23 vs. Wisconsin in 2008.

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Season Review: Late Surge Lifts K-State to Elite Eight, 25-win Season

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Season Review: Late Surge Lifts K-State to Elite Eight, 25-win Season

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