SE: K-State MBB Prepared to Bounce Back in Big Monday Matchup at West Virginia
Feb 18, 2019 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
Soon after No. 18/18 Kansas State had its nine-game winning streak in the Big 12 Conference ended by No. 23/22 Iowa State on Saturday in Bramlage Coliseum, head coach Bruce Weber piped some positivity into a somber Wildcat locker room.
"I told them after," Weber said, "they've done unbelievable things."
K-State's seventh-year head coach reminded his team it still had a half-game lead at the top of the Big 12 standings, thanks to the program's longest Big 12 winning streak ever and its longest conference winning streak in 45 years.
In other words, the Wildcats still control their destiny. Weber, however, said it must start with responding the right way in K-State's Big Monday matchup at West Virginia at 8 p.m., on ESPN.
"We have to stick together," Weber said. "Just keep fighting, battling. This is just a true test of character on Monday night."
K-State senior guard Barry Brown, Jr., one of the team's top leaders, said he would repeat this message to his teammates in the roughly 48 hours between the loss and Monday's opportunity to get back on track.
"We're still in first place. (It's a) tough loss, but we can't sulk. Today is the last day we have to think about it," Brown said after the game. "I just have to let them know that we're still fine, just to come together and play hard."
Ironically, K-State's winning streak started with a record-breaking comeback against West Virginia. Brown put up 29 points against the Mountaineers as K-State erased a school-record 21-point deficit in the second half to avoid an 0-3 start in conference play.
"West Virginia's a really good team and (us seniors) haven't won there yet," Brown said. "It's going to be another tough atmosphere to play in, but we're experienced, and we should go in there with the right mindset to try to win the game."
While seeing a lengthy winning streak end can be deflating initially, Weber said it can also refocus a team if it has leaders like Brown. He referenced his 2004-05 Illinois team that won 29 games in a row before picking up its first loss of the season. That team bounced back and made it all the way to the finals of the NCAA Tournament.
"At that time, I was really sad — you could have done something that no one else did — but I think it got our attention and it was a good thing. It got us refocused on what we needed to be focused on," Weber said. "I don't want to lose, but it is what it is. Now, do we have the discipline, the character, the leadership to come back and get ready on a short turnaround and make the longest trip of the year?"
This season in Big 12 play, K-State has been highly successful away from Bramlage. The Wildcats have won five in a row on the road in conference play for a 5-1 road record this Big 12 season.
To stay in first place and keep that streak alive, Weber said his team must be mentally prepared on Monday. The Mountaineers (10-15, 2-10), while struggling, have won four straight games against K-State overall and five in a row against the Wildcats in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The last Wildcat team to win at West Virginia? The 2012-13 squad that shared the Big 12 Championship.
"It's about character. What are you about? How bad do you want it?" Weber said. "It's important. You can't let one loss be a bad week. That's the most important thing for us."
Soon after No. 18/18 Kansas State had its nine-game winning streak in the Big 12 Conference ended by No. 23/22 Iowa State on Saturday in Bramlage Coliseum, head coach Bruce Weber piped some positivity into a somber Wildcat locker room.
"I told them after," Weber said, "they've done unbelievable things."
K-State's seventh-year head coach reminded his team it still had a half-game lead at the top of the Big 12 standings, thanks to the program's longest Big 12 winning streak ever and its longest conference winning streak in 45 years.
In other words, the Wildcats still control their destiny. Weber, however, said it must start with responding the right way in K-State's Big Monday matchup at West Virginia at 8 p.m., on ESPN.
"We have to stick together," Weber said. "Just keep fighting, battling. This is just a true test of character on Monday night."
K-State senior guard Barry Brown, Jr., one of the team's top leaders, said he would repeat this message to his teammates in the roughly 48 hours between the loss and Monday's opportunity to get back on track.
"We're still in first place. (It's a) tough loss, but we can't sulk. Today is the last day we have to think about it," Brown said after the game. "I just have to let them know that we're still fine, just to come together and play hard."
Ironically, K-State's winning streak started with a record-breaking comeback against West Virginia. Brown put up 29 points against the Mountaineers as K-State erased a school-record 21-point deficit in the second half to avoid an 0-3 start in conference play.
"West Virginia's a really good team and (us seniors) haven't won there yet," Brown said. "It's going to be another tough atmosphere to play in, but we're experienced, and we should go in there with the right mindset to try to win the game."
While seeing a lengthy winning streak end can be deflating initially, Weber said it can also refocus a team if it has leaders like Brown. He referenced his 2004-05 Illinois team that won 29 games in a row before picking up its first loss of the season. That team bounced back and made it all the way to the finals of the NCAA Tournament.
"At that time, I was really sad — you could have done something that no one else did — but I think it got our attention and it was a good thing. It got us refocused on what we needed to be focused on," Weber said. "I don't want to lose, but it is what it is. Now, do we have the discipline, the character, the leadership to come back and get ready on a short turnaround and make the longest trip of the year?"
This season in Big 12 play, K-State has been highly successful away from Bramlage. The Wildcats have won five in a row on the road in conference play for a 5-1 road record this Big 12 season.
To stay in first place and keep that streak alive, Weber said his team must be mentally prepared on Monday. The Mountaineers (10-15, 2-10), while struggling, have won four straight games against K-State overall and five in a row against the Wildcats in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The last Wildcat team to win at West Virginia? The 2012-13 squad that shared the Big 12 Championship.
"It's about character. What are you about? How bad do you want it?" Weber said. "It's important. You can't let one loss be a bad week. That's the most important thing for us."
Players Mentioned
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