Game Preview // K-State Hosts Marquette in BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle Wednesday

Complete Release Available Here

GAME 8
KANSAS STATE (5-2) vs. MARQUETTE (7-2)
Wednesday, December 8, 2021 >> 8:05 p.m. CT >> Bramlage Coliseum (11,654) >> Manhattan, Kan.

PROMOTION
Color Rush Game
Fans are encouraged to wear lavender attire to match the Wildcats' all-lavender uniforms, which date back to the school's two-tone lavender uniforms wore from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s by teams coached by legendary head coach Jack Hartman.

TELEVISION
ESPN2 / WatchESPN
Link: k-st.at/3pCg9NU

Lowell Galindo (play-by-play)
Lance Blanks (analyst)
T.J. McGinnis (producer)

RADIO
K-State Sports Network
Flagships: // KMAN 1350 & WIBW 580
Satellite Radio: XM 381
Online: Varsity Network [free] / SXM 971 / www.kstatesports.com/watch [free]

Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play)
Stan Weber (analyst)

LIVE STATS
www.kstatesports.com
kstate.statbroadcast.com [media only]

TICKETS
www.kstatesports.com/tickets
(800) 221.CATS [2287]
Single Game: $15, $20, $35
Big Game Mini-Plan: $199 (Marquette is the first of 5 games in the mini plan package)
Bramlage Bundle: $35 (Bundles include a reserve Cat Cushion ticket, a $10 concession voucher and a $10 credit to the K-State Super Store)

COACHES
Kansas State: Bruce Weber [Wisconsin-Milwaukee '78]
Record at K-State: 175-132/10th Year
Career Record: 488-287/24th Year
vs. Marquette: 0-2 [0-2 at K-State]

Marquette: Shaka Smart [Kenyon College '99]
Record at Marquette: 7-2/1st Year
Career Record: 279-144/13th Year
vs. K-State: 7-5 [0-0 at Marquette]

SERIES HISTORY
Overall: K-State leads 7-5
Current Streak: Marquette, 2
In Manhattan: K-State leads 3-1
In BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle: Marquette leads 1-0 [2019]
Last Meeting: L, 65-73 [12/7/2019 in Manhattan, Kan.]
Weber vs. Smart: 5-7 [2-4 at home]

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
Kansas State (5-2)
G: #00 Mike McGuirl
G: #1 Markquis Nowell
G: #13 Mark Smith
F: #25 Ismael [Ish] Massoud
F: #20 Kaosi Ezeagu

Marquette (7-2)
G: #1 Kam Jones
G: #10 Justin Lewis
G: #22 Tyler Kolek
G: #32 Darryl Morsell
F: #35 Kur Kuath

K-STATE HOSTS MARQUETTE IN BIG EAST/BIG 12 BATTLE

Kansas State (5-2) begins another 2-game homestand on Wednesday night, as the Wildcats play host to Marquette (7-2) in the third annual BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle at Bramlage Coliseum. The game will air nationally on ESPN2 at 8:05 p.m. CT. K-State concludes the homestand on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m., CT against Green Bay (2-6).
Wednesday's matchup will mark just the second time that K-State has competed in the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle with last year's contest with Butler being cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols with the Bulldogs. The Golden Eagles defeated the Wildcats, 73-65, in the inaugural matchup in the Battle series on Dec. 7, 2019. Currently, the leagues are tied 2-2.
K-State has won 7 straight at Bramlage Coliseum against non-conference opponents dating back to last season, including wins this season over Florida A&M (67-57), Omaha (79-64), North Dakota (84-42) and UAlbany (71-43).

OPENING TIP

Wednesday's contest is being dubbed a "Color Rush" Game, as fans are encouraged to wear lavender attire to match the Wildcats' all-lavender uniforms, which date back to the school's two-tone lavender uniforms worn from the mid-1970s to early 1980s by teams coached by legendary head coach Jack Hartman. The Golden Eagles are expected to wear one of their alternate uniforms.
K-State and Marquette have multiple connections in a series that dates to 1953 when the top-ranked Wildcats knocked off the Golden Eagles, 88-72, in historic Ahearn Field House. K-State leads the all-time series, 7-5, including a 3-1 record in games played in Manhattan, however, Marquette has won the last 2 games in the series, sweeping a home-and-home series, in 2018 and 2019. The Golden Eagles' 73-65 win in the last meeting on Dec. 7, 2019, ended the Wildcats' 33-game winning streak at home against non-conference opponents.
The schools also share the late legendary head coach Fred "Tex" Winter, who led Marquette to a National Catholic Championship in 1952 before beginning at 15-year stint (1953-68) at K-State, where he led the Wildcats to 261 wins, eight league titles and trips to the Final Four in 1958 and 1964.
Head coach Bruce Weber has his own history with Marquette, as he grew up in Milwaukee and attended many practices and games when Hall of Fame head coach Al McGuire coached the Golden Eagles from 1964-77.
Marquette will be yet another opportunity to see much growth K-State has made since dropping consecutive contests to No. 13/12 Arkansas and No. 14/15 Illinois at the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City. The Wildcats have won 3 in row since those 2 losses, including an impressive 65-59 win over in-state rival Wichita State on Sunday night at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita. Playing without leading scorer Nijel Pack (15.8 ppg.), who sustained a concussion in practice and is listed as day-to-day, reserve Markquis Nowell stepped up for a notable performance in his first start as a Wildcat, leading the team in points (16), rebounds (8) and assists (4).
Defense once again was the deciding factor in extending the win streak, as the Wildcats held the Shockers to their lowest point total of the season, allowing just 59 points on 35.2 percent (19-of-54), including 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range. They stymied WSU's leading scorer - Tyson Etienne - into just 11 points on 4-of-20 field goals, including 1-of-11 from 3-point range. The team is allowing just 48 points on 31.9 percent shooting in the last 3 games.
K-State ranks among the top-25 in 4 defensive categories, including 24th in scoring defense (58.4 ppg.), 14th in field goal percentage defense (36.8), fourth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (23.5) and 20th in defensive rebounds (29.86). The Wildcats have held 4 of 6 opponents under 60 points, including consecutive opponents to under 50 points for the first time since December 2015.
Marquette enters Wednesday's game with a 7-2 record and has notable wins over Illinois, Ole Miss and West Virginia. The Golden Eagles, who are led by a familiar face in former Texas coach Shaka Smart, are averaging 75.9 points per game on 44.5 percent shooting and have a pair of double-digit scorers in redshirt freshman Justin Lewis (15.9 ppg.) and transfer Darryl Morsell (14.8 ppg.).

NOTES ON MARQUETTE

Marquette is off to a strong start, opening the season with 5 consecutive wins, including 3 in a row against Illinois (67-66), Ole Miss (78-72) and West Virginia (82-71) before suffering its first loss to St. Bonaventure (54-70) in the Charleston Classic championship game. After wins over Northern Illinois (80-66) and Jackson State (83-54), the team lost at No. 22 Wisconsin (76-89) Saturday.
The Golden Eagles are averaging 75.9 points per game on 44.5 percent shooting, including 32.9 percent from 3-point range, with 36.7 rebounds, 15.7 assists, 7.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game, while allowing opponents to average 70.6 points on 42.5 percent shooting, including 32.6 percent from long range. The team is hitting on 70.7 percent from the free throw line.
Nine players are averaging at least 4 points per game, including a pair of double-digit scorers in redshirt freshman Justin Lewis (15.9 ppg.) and transfer Darryl Morsell (14.8 ppg.). Lewis leads the team in scoring and rebounding (7.6 rpg.), while connecting on 46.7 percent from the field. George Mason transfer Tyler Kolek leads the team in assists in 5.3 per contest.
Head coach Shaka Smart is in his first season at Marquette, while he is 279-144 overall in his 13th season as a head coach. He previously was the head coach at VCU (2009-15) and Texas (2015-21). He was 7-5 all-time against K-State during his stint at Texas, including a 4-2 mark at Bramlage Coliseum.

SERIES HISTORY

K-State and Marquette will meet for the 13th time in a series that dates to 1953. Many of the meetings came during in a stretch from 1982-88 when the schools played 6 times, including home-and-home matchups in 1981-82 and 1982-83, 1984-85 and 1985-86 and 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons.
K-State leads the series, 7-5, including a 3-1 mark in home (1953, 1982, 1986, 2019). The Wildcats saw their 3-game winning streak end in games played at home against the Golden Eagles in the 73-65 loss in 2019.
K-State is 24-25 all-time vs. the BIG EAST, including a 11-3 mark at home.

1977 NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME AND THE "WINSTON RULE"
Read more here about it in Tuesday's K-State Sports Extra

The NCAA Tournament game between the schools in 1977 finds an interesting place in school history, as its ending led to the adoption of the so-called "Winston Rule" named for former Wildcat Darryl Winston.
With K-State trailing Marquette, 67-64, in the final minute, Winston hit a tip-in lay-up while being fouled. But tip-ins weren't considered controlled shots, so the basket was waved off. Instead of counting the basket and going to the free throw line with a chance to tie the game, as would be the case under the current rules, Winston went to the line with his team trailing by three. He made both free throws, and K-State lost 67-66. The NCAA adopted the "Winston Rule" the following year, allowing tip-ins to be counted.

NON-CONFERENCE HISTORY

K-State has a 119-13 (.898) record at home venues (includes home games played at Bramlage Coliseum, INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita and the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City) in non-conference play dating back to the 2006-07 season, including a 110-11 (.906) mark at Bramlage Coliseum.
Despite seeing their 33-game winning streak end at Bramlage Coliseum with a loss to Marquette on Dec. 7, 2019, the Wildcats have still won 106 of their last 117 non-conference home games.
K-State has posted a 156-49 (.757) record in non-conference play since the 2006-07 season. Prior to the 2020-21 season, the Wildcats had posted double-digit non-conference wins in 12 of the previous 13 seasons.
Head coach Bruce Weber is 87-33 (.720) in non-conference play since he arrived at K-State, including a 67-11 (.857) mark at home.

LAST TIME OUT:
K-STATE 65, WICHITA STATE 59

Junior Markquis Nowell scored 5 of his team-high 16 points in a late 7-0 run, including a dagger of a 3-pointer with 1:35 to play, that helped lift the Wildcats to a 65-59 win over in-state rival Wichita State on Sunday afternoon before 14,488 fans at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Nowell, who had come off the bench in the first 6 games, drew his first start of the season after starting point guard Nijel Pack was ruled out after going down with an injury in practice on Saturday. Nowell kept the Wildcats in the contest with both his scoring and decision-making, as led the way in points (16), rebounds (8) and assists (4) while playing a team-high 35 minutes.
The first meeting between the schools since 2003 did not disappoint, as the near sold-out crowd saw WSU jump out to an 20-8 lead before K-State rallied to take the lead right before halftime on a 17-4 run. However, the Shockers seized the momentum early in the second half by scoring 14 of the first 19 points before the Wildcats rallied yet again to take a 46-44 with 7:35 remaining.
All told, the teams battled through 9 lead changes and 9 ties, including 54-all, after freshman Ricky Council IV knocked down a 3-pointer with 2:02 to play. Nowell responded with a 3-pointer of his own with 1:35 to play to key the 7-0 run by K-State, as he followed with a pair of free throws before a steal and dunk by senior Mark Smith gave the Wildcats a 61-54 lead with 48 seconds.
K-State held WSU to its lowest point total of the season, allowing just 59 points on 35.2 percent (19-of-54) shooting, including 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range. It marked the third straight opponent held under 60 points.
Nowell was joined in double figures by three other Wildcats, including junior Kaosi Ezeagu, who scored 14 points on 5-of-6 field goals to go with 6 rebounds in a season-high 25 minutes. Sophomore Selton Miguel chipped in 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting with 6 rebounds and 3 assists off the bench, while senior Mike McGuirl added 10 points and team-tying 4 assists.
Offensively, the Wildcats connected on just 33.9 percent (21-of-62) from the field, including 24 percent (6-of-25) from 3-point range, and hit on 17 of 25 attempts (68 percent) from the free throw line. However, they held the edge in points off turnovers (15-10), points in the paint (28-20), second-chance points (10-3), fast-break points (7-3) and bench points (20-16).

LEADING WITH DEFENSE

K-State has developed a strong reputation as defensive team under head coach Bruce Weber, ranking among the top-60 nationally in opponent points per game 6 times in the 9 seasons.
The Wildcats ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense (59.6 ppg.) during its Big 12 Championship season in 2018-19, while they placed 36th (60.4 ppg.) in 2012-13 and 46th (67.0 ppg.) in 2017-18.
K-State has held 213 opponents (out of 307 total) under 70 points during Bruce Weber's tenure, including a program-best 31 in 2012-13. The Wildcats have also held 107 opponents under 60 points in that span, while 29 have scored less than 50 points in his tenure.
In addition to its scoring defense, K-State has ranked among the top-40 in opponent 3-point field goal percentage 3 times (2013-14, 2015-16 and 2018-19) and among the top-50 in steals on 5 occasions (every season from 2015-16 to 2019-20) in the Bruce Weber era. Twice (2016-17 and 2019-20) the school has ranked the top-45 in opponent turnovers.
The Wildcats have held opponents to under 40 percent shooting in 105 games in the Bruce Weber era, including under 35 percent in 50 games.
K-State struggled mightily across the board during the 2020-21 season, but no more than on defensive end, allowing 80 or more points 7 times in the first 21 games, including allowing 100 or more points in both regular-season games with eventual national champion Baylor. However, the Wildcats were able to win 4 of their last 7 games due to their improved defense, as they held 5 of those 7 opponents under 60 points.
During the last 7 games of the season, the team held their opponents to 59.3 points on 40.6 percent shooting (146-360), including 26.1 percent (36-of-138) from 3-point range.
K-State has started the season off where they left off at the end of the 2020-21 season, as the defense is allowing 58.4 points on 36.8 percent shooting, including 23.5 percent from 3-point range. The Wildcats rank among the top-25 in 4 defensive categories, including fourth in 3-point field goal percentage defense, 14th in field goal percentage defense and 24th in scoring defense.
The Wildcats responded to allowed 72 points in back-to-back games vs. No. 13/12 Arkansas (11/22/21) and No. 14/15 Illinois (11/23/21) with stellar efforts vs. North Dakota (11/28/21) and UAlbany (12/2/21), allowing the fewest combined points (85) in consecutive games since holding Lamar (55) and Alabama-Huntsville (26) to 81 combined points on Nov. 12 and 13, 2012.
K-State has been able to score points off its opponent turnovers (18.9 ppg.) while forcing an average of 14.6 turnovers per game. The Wildcats has scored 20 or more points off turnovers twice, including 25 vs. North Dakota (11/28/21).

IMPROVED OFFENSE, BUT WORK CONTINUES FROM 3

The Wildcats are averaging 70.6 points on 44.2 percent shooting, including 33.8 percent from 3-point range, while connecting on 71.1 percent from the free throw line through the first 7 games. The team is averaging 30.6 points in the paint, 24.1 points off the bench, 18.9 points off turnovers, 8.5 fast-break points and 7.7 points on second-chance opportunities.
K-State's offense shines when the Wildcats share the ball, as the team is averaging 73.2 points and 16.0 assists in their 5 wins compared to just 64 points and 8 assists in their 2 losses. The squad also scored 152 combined points (30.4 ppg.) in the paint in their 5 victories, including 46 vs. North Dakota, which were the most since scoring 50 against Eastern Kentucky in Nov. 16, 2018.
The Wildcats' 3-point shooting needs to find some consistency, as they made just 22.1 percent (15-of-68) combined from long range in the 3 games with No. 13/12 Arkansas, No. 14/15 Illinois and Wichita State while hitting on 43 percent (37-of-86) in games against Florida A&M, Omaha, North Dakota, UAlbany.
The Wildcats were really clicking offensively in the 79-64 win over Omaha (11/17/21), as the team connected on 52.8 percent (28-of-53) from the field, including 47.4 percent (9-of-19) from the 3-point line, and hit on 87.5 percent (14-of-16) from the free throw line. The squad hit 50 percent or better from the field in each half for the first time since the Milwaukee game (12/21/20).
K-State played even better offensively against North Dakota (11/28/21), hitting on 60.3 percent (35-of-58) from the field, including 69 percent (20-of-29) in the second half, to post their first 80-point game since scoring 84 vs. West Virginia on Jan. 18, 2020. It marked the first time that the Wildcats had shot better than 60 percent from the field since hitting on 62.5 percent (35-of-56) against Alabama State on Dec. 11, 2019.

IMPROVED EXPERIENCE/DEPTH

It has been well chronicled how young the Wildcats were during the 2020-21
season, as only 11 Division I schools were less experienced than K-State with only Auburn and Duke less experienced among the Power 6. The Wildcats were one of 10 teams to start at least 3 true freshmen in one game with Davion Bradford, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack starting in 17 of the 29 games.
K-State is hoping that the return of 9 of 14 lettermen, including senior Mike McGuirl and sophomores Bradford, Miguel and Pack, as well as the influx of 7 newcomers, including 3 transfers in Ish Massoud (Wake Forest), Markquis Nowell (Little Rock) and Mark Smith (Missouri) will lead to improved play.
The Wildcats have used at least nine players in each of the first 7 games with 7 of those players totaling double-digit field goals made and 7 averaging nearly 6 points per game, including a pair of double-digit scorers (Pack and Nowell).
K-State is averaging nearly 25 points per game from its bench this season, including 28-point efforts against No. 13/12 Arkansas and No. 14/15 Illinois. The team has posted 7 consecutive games of 20 or more bench points.
Junior Markquis Nowell has provided a spark off the bench, averaging 12.3 points on 41.2 percent (28-of-68) shooting and 87.0 percent (20-of-23) from the free throw line. He has scored in double figures 5 times, as he led the team in points (16), rebounds (8) and assists (4) in his first start at Wichita State. He had come off the bench in the first 6 games before the injury to Nijel Pack forced him into the starting lineup.

IMPROVED FREE THROW SHOOTING

Again, it's a small sample size with just 7 games, but so far, K-State has taken care of its opportunities from the free throw line, connecting on 71.1 percent (86-of-121) from the charity stripe, which ranks third in the Big 12.
That percentage was even better in its 3-game stretch vs. Omaha, No. 13/12 Arkansas and No. 14/15 Illinois, as the Wildcats hit on 81.3 percent (39-of-48) during that stretch, including 78.1 percent (25-of-32) in the games against the Razorbacks and Fighting Illini.
Four players (Nijel Pack, Markquis Nowell, Ish Massoud and Mike McGuirl) are hitting on better than 70 percent from the line, as Pack (9-of-9) and Massoud (4-of-4) have been perfect so far.
The Wildcats shot just 66.4 percent from the free throw line in 2020-21, while they haven't connected on better than 70 percent from the line since hitting on 73.4 percent as a team in 2017-18.

TURNOVER LOW

K-State turned the ball over just 4 times in the loss to No. 14/15 Illinois, which tied 5 others for the third-fewest in a game in school history and fewest since also registered 4 turnovers in a win over Gonzaga on Dec. 21, 2013. It tied the 2013 Gonzaga contest for the fewest turnovers in the Bruce Weber era.
In contrast, the Wildcats were able to force the Fighting Illini into 18 turnovers, which resulted in a 23-3 advantage in points off turnovers.

NIJEL TO THE RESCUE

Sophomore Nijel Pack has picked up where he left off from his freshman season, as he has led or have been tied for the team lead in scoring in 4 of the first 6 games, including an 18-point performance in the opener vs. Florida A&M, 15 points vs. Omaha, 14 points vs. No. 12/13 Arkansas and 17 points vs. UAlbany.
Pack is averaging a team-best 15.8 points on 51.5 percent (34-of-66) shooting, including 48.6 percent (18-of-37) from 3-point range, to go with 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 27.8 minutes per game. He is the leader in scoring, field goals, 3-pointers and double-digit scoring games (6). His 95 points through the first 6 games are the most since Dean Wade had 97 to start 2018-19.
The promising point guard enjoyed one of the best freshmen seasons in school history, becoming the third true freshman (Michael Beasley, Marcus Foster) to lead the team in scoring (12.7 ppg.) and the first since 2013-14.

MOVING TOWARDS 500

Head coach Bruce Weber is working towards a coaching milestone, as he is 12 wins away from earning 500 in his career. He enters Wednesday's game with a 488-287 (.630) record in 24 years as a head coach at Southern Illinois (1998-2003), Illinois (2003-12) and K-State (2012-21).
If Weber were to achieve the milestone in 2021-22, he would be among elite company as only 26 current Division I coaches have reached 500 wins in their career with Herb Sendek (Santa Clara) just ahead of him with 495 victories.

HOPING FOR BETTER INJURY LUCK

K-State is hoping for better luck on the injury front in 2021-22 after injuries were a major factor in the 2020-21 season, as 9 players combined to miss 75 games, which caused head coach Bruce Weber to start 3 true freshmen (Davion Bradford, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack) a combined 71 times, which ranked second nationally to Kentucky.
Only one other Division I team (Long Beach State) had more players miss time due to injuries in 2020-21.
Although that luck has been tested early with promising big man Seryee Lewis going down with a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, along with injuries slowing down the progress made by junior Carlton Linguard, Jr., and freshman Maximus Edwards. Linguard returned to the floor against North Dakota (11/28/21), while there is optimism about Edwards' progress.

McGUIRL UTILIZES EXTRA SEASON

K-State received some good news on March 23 when senior Mike McGuirl announced that he was utilizing his extra season and returning to the Wildcats for the 2021-22 season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA announced in October that they had agreed to grant players an additional year of eligibility.
An All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, McGuirl is coming off solid senior season in 2020-21, in which, he either led or was tied for the team lead in 12 categories, including points, field goals, 3-pointers, assists and steals. He was second in scoring (11.8 ppg.) to freshman teammate Nijel Pack.
McGuirl's 20 double-digit scoring games doubled his entire career total (10) that he had entering the 2020-21 season. He opened the season with his first career 20-point game vs. Drake on November 25 with 22 points then equaled it against Fort Hays State on December 8, while he had a team-high 19 points in the upset of No. 7/8 Oklahoma on February 23. Of his 705 career points, 542 have come in the last two seasons in 58 games played with 49 starts (9.3 ppg.).
The only player to start all 29 games, McGuirl showed his versatility by leading the Wildcats in scoring a team-best 11 times, while he also paced the team in rebounding 4 times, in assists 14 times and in steals on 10 occasions. He led the team in scoring (16), rebounding (9) and assists (5) in the win over TCU on February 20, a win which started the team's late surge to end the season (4 wins in the last 6 games).

THE 'CATS INK 3 HIGH-PROFILE TRANSFERS

K-State got an infusion of experience with the addition of 3 high-profile Division I transfers in fifth-year Mark Smith (Missouri), junior Markquis Nowell and sophomore Ismael (Ish) Massoud (Wake Forest).
Like McGuirl, Smith earned a second senior season due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and will bring 100 games of experience to the court after playing at Illinois (2017-18) and Missouri (2018-21). Nowell, who was a Lou Henson All-American at Little Rock, averaged double figures in each of his three seasons as a Trojan. Massoud played in all 53 games of his Wake Forest career, averaging 8.3 points per game as a sophomore in 2020-21.
The transfers presumably fill the Wildcats' greatest need from the 2020-21 season, which was a lack of production from the 3-point line. The team ranked 319th (out of 340 teams) in 3-point field goal percentage (29.6), while they were 126th in total 3-point field goals made (191) and 243rd in 3-point field goals per game (6.6). The trio have combined for more than 400 triples (404) in their respective careers on 36.1 percent shooting.
The trio made their impact in the first 7 games with Massoud and Smith each starting every game, while Nowell has averaged 23.6 minutes in coming off the bench in 6 games. They have combined for 184 points on 38.3 percent (64-of-167) shooting with 107 rebounds and 35 assists. Nowell has scored in double figures in 5 of 7 games, including a season-high 19 vs. No. 14/15 Illinois, while Massoud added 13 points vs. the Fighting Illini. Smith has two double-doubles and is the team's leading rebounder (7.4 rpg.).

A QUICK LOOK AT K-STATE

K-State returns 9 lettermen, including 4 players (Davion Bradford, Mike McGuirl, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack) who registered starts during its COVID-19 challenging 2020-21 campaign, which resulted in the Wildcats' second consecutive non-winning season at 9-20 overall and 4-14 in Big 12 play. In addition to these 4 players, the team will get back the services of several key

lettermen, including juniors Kaosi Ezeagu and Carlton Linguard, Jr., sophomores Luke Kasubke and Seryee Lewis and walk-on Drew Honas.

The biggest headliner from the returners might be McGuirl, who opted to return for an extra season in 2021-22 after his senior season was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. He earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors in 2020-21 after leading the Wildcats in 12 categories, including points (342), double-digit scoring games (20), field goals (112), 3-point field goals (60), assists (103), steals (30) and minutes (34.3).
The freshmen trio of Bradford, Miguel and Pack had to grow up fast in their first season, starting together in 17 games with 12 of those coming in Big 12 play. The 71 combined starts by the three true freshmen in 2020-21 ranked second nationally only to Kentucky (72). The three combined to average 25.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 2020-21, as Pack (12.7 ppg.) became the first true freshman to lead the Wildcats in scoring since 2013-14. Bradford (7.7 ppg.) and Miguel (7.2 ppg.) were fourth and fifth in scoring.
Ezeagu started early on for K-State before an injury forced him to miss 10 games. He returned in mid-January as mostly a reserve, averaging 5.2 points on 67.7 percent (21-of-31) in his last 10 games. Linguard and Lewis each showed flashes in their first seasons, playing in 17 and 18 games, respectively, while Kasubke recovered from a preseason injury that forced him to miss the first 13 games to be a key contributor in the final 16 games.

UP NEXT: GREEN BAY (2-6)

K-State continues its homestand with a Sunday afternoon contest against Green Bay (2-6) at 4 p.m. It will be the fourth meeting between the schools and the first since an 80-61 win at home on Nov. 30, 2016.

Game Preview // K-State Hosts Marquette in BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle Wednesday

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Players Mentioned

Davion Bradford

Maximus Edwards

Kaosi Ezeagu

Drew Honas

Luke Kasubke

Seryee Lewis

Carlton Linguard, Jr.

Mike McGuirl

Selton Miguel

Markquis Nowell

Nijel Pack

Mark Smith

Kansas State University Athletics

Game Preview // K-State Hosts Marquette in BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle Wednesday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Davion Bradford

Maximus Edwards

Kaosi Ezeagu

Drew Honas

Luke Kasubke

Seryee Lewis

Carlton Linguard, Jr.

Mike McGuirl

Selton Miguel

Markquis Nowell

Nijel Pack

Mark Smith

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