Game Preview // K-State Returns Home to Face Oklahoma State Wednesday

GAME 21
KANSAS STATE (10-10, 2-6 Big 12) VS. OKLAHOMA STATE (10-10, 3-5 Big 12)
Wednesday, February 2, 2022 >> 8:05 p.m. CT >> Bramlage Coliseum (11,643) >> Manhattan, Kan.

TELEVISION
ESPNU / ESPN App (Link)

Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play)
Bryndon Manzer (analyst)
John J. Wilson (producer)

RADIO
K-State Sports Network
Flagships: // KMAN 1350 & WIBW 580
Satellite Radio: XM 384
Online: Varsity Network [free] / SXM 974 / www.kstatesports.com/watch [free]

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

LIVE STATS
www.kstatesports.com
kstate.statbroadcast.com

TICKETS
www.kstatesports.com/tickets
(800) 221.CATS [2287]
Single Game: $20-$40

COACHES
Kansas State: Bruce Weber [Wisconsin-Milwaukee '78]
Record at K-State: 180-140/10th Year
Career Record: 493-295/24th Year
vs. Oklahoma State: 11-9 [6-3 at home]

Oklahoma State: Mike Boynton, Jr. [South Carolina '03]
Record at Oklahoma State: 82-68/5th Year
Career Record: 82-68/5th Year
vs. K-State: 4-4 [2-2 on the road]

SERIES HISTORY
Overall: K-State leads 82-57
Big 12 era: Oklahoma State leads 22-16 [22-13 in regular season]
Current Streak: Oklahoma State, 4
In Manhattan: K-State leads 40-18
At Bramlage Coliseum: K-State leads 13-12
Last Meeting: L, 60-67 [2/13/21 in Stillwater, Okla.]
Weber vs. Boynton, Jr.: 4-4 [2-2 at home]

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
Kansas State (10-10, 2-6 Big 12)
G: #00 Mike McGuirl
G: #1 Markquis Nowell
G: #13 Mark Smith
G: #24 Nijel Pack
C: #12 Carlton Linguard, Jr.

Oklahoma State (10-10, 3-5 Big 12)
G: #0 Avery Anderson III
G: #1 Bryce Thompson
G: #5 Rondel Walker
G: #13 Isaac Likekele
C: #33 Moussa Cisse

K-STATE RETURNS HOME TO FACE OKLAHOMA STATE WEDNESDAY

Kansas State (10-10, 2-6 Big 12) begins the second half of Big 12 play on Wednesday night in the friendly confines of Bramlage Coliseum, as the Wildcats play host to Oklahoma State (10-10, 3-5 Big 12) at 8 p.m., CT on ESPNU. The Cowboys have won the last 4 games in the series, including the last 2 played in Manhattan.
K-State could not snap its skid in the Big 12/SEC Challenge, dropping its fourth straight in the series as the offense could never find any rhythm in a 67-56 loss at Ole Miss on Saturday. The Rebels dominated the paint (32-14) and forced the Wildcats to take a near school-record 36 3-point attempts while holding them to 30.2 percent (19-of-63) shooting.
The path doesn't get any easier for K-State, as the Wildcats still have one of most difficult schedules remaining in the country with the 11th-toughest schedule according to the NCAA NET rankings.

OPENING TIP

K-State lost for just the third time by double figures on Saturday, as Ole Miss used effective game plans on both ends of the court to post a 67-56 win in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Rebels limited the Wildcats' touches in the paint and forced them into the 36 3-point attempts, which were one shy of the school record, while on offense 17 of their 23 field goals makes came inside the arc.
In the last 5 halves (starting with the second half vs. Kansas), K-State is hitting on just 30.7 percent (46-of-150) from the field, including 34.2 percent (27-of-79) inside the 3-point line, while opponents are connecting on 50.4 percent (66-of-131), including 65 percent (52-of-80) inside the arc. In that span, the Wildcats are being outscored 96-44 in the paint.
In total, 7 of K-State's 10 losses have come by 28 points, which include non-conference setbacks to No. 13/12 Arkansas (64-72) and No. 14/15 Illinois (64-72) by 8 points and Marquette (63-64) by 1 point. Four of the 6 Big 12 losses have been by one possession, including 2 points to Oklahoma (69-71) and 3 points to West Virginia (68-71), TCU (57-60) and Kansas (75-78).
Aside from the losses to Texas (57-70) and No. 4/4 Baylor (49-74), K-State has led or been tied in the second half in its 5 other Big 12 losses with 4 of those setbacks coming by a total of 11 points.
The losses to Ole Miss and No. 4/4 Baylor came on the heels of a impressive 3-game stretch, in which, K-State posted back-to-back victories over No. 19/19 Texas Tech (62-51) and No. 23/22 Texas (66-65) before losing a late lead to No. 7/7 Kansas (75-78). The wins over ranked Texas Tech and Texas squads marked the first wins over consecutive ranked foes since winning 4 such games from Jan. 12-Feb. 5, 2019. That 3-game stretch was also the first and only time all season that all 10 healthy scholarship players have been available.
Fifth-year senior Mark Smith and sophomore Nijel Pack combined for 38 of the Wildcats' 56 points against Ole Miss. Smith had another monster game with his second 20/10 double-double of the season, posting a game-high 20 points and career-tying 16 rebounds. His 16 boards against Oklahoma and Ole Miss are the most of any Big 12 player this season. Pack, who knocked down 6 3-pointers for the third time this season, finished with 18 points against the Rebels. As a team, the Wildcats made double-digit 3-pointers (11) for the seventh time.
Smith, along with fellow transfers Ish Massoud and Markquis Nowell, continue to play a major role for the Wildcats. The trio have been responsible for 42 percent (568) of the team's scoring and 41 percent (287) of its rebounding. They are averaging 28.4 points, 14.4 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals per game. Smith and Nowell lead the Big 12 in rebounding (8.4 rpg.) and steals (2.3 spg.), while the pair are second in double-doubles (5) and assists (5.2 apg.).
With one of the smallest backcourts, K-State's offense has hinged on effective 3-point shooting and limited turnovers. The Wildcats rank second in 3-point makes per game (8.00) and third in 3-point percentage (33.7), while they have the fewest turnovers (224). K-State's ability to protect the ball will be tested by OSU, which ranks eighth in steals (9.9 spg.) and 18th in turnovers forced (17.3).

NOTES ON OKLAHOMA STATE

Oklahoma State (10-10, 3-5 Big 12) enters Wednesday's contest on a 3-game losing streak after dropping an 81-72 decision at Florida on Saturday afternoon in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Much like K-State, OSU won back-to-back games in Big 12 play, including a victory at No. 1 Baylor on Jan. 15, before its current skid. OSU is 2-4 on the road this year, including 1-3 in the Big 12.
The Cowboys are averaging 69.5 points per game on 43.1 percent shooting, including 29.9 percent from 3-point range, while allowing opponents to average 66.8 points on 39.9 percent shooting, including 33.3 percent from long range. The team is among the best in a number of categories, including eighth in steals per game (9.9 spg.), 11th in total steals (198), 18th in turnovers forced (17.3), 30th in blocked shots (5.0 bpg.) and 38th in field goal percentage defense.
OSU has 7 players averaging 6 or more points, including a pair of double-digit scorers in Avery Anderson III (11.2 ppg.) and Bryce Williams (10.6 ppg.). Keylan Boone has a team-high 27 made 3-pointers. Veteran Isaac Likekele paces the Cowboys in both rebounding (5.7 rpg.) and assists (3.5 apg.), while averaging 7.8 points per game. Moussa Cisse is second in rebounding (5.6 rpg.), while he is the Big 12 leader in blocked shots (1.68 bpg.).
Oklahoma State is led by fifth-year head coach Mike Boynton, Jr., who has posted an 82-68 overall record, including a trip to NCAA Tournament in 2021.

SERIES HISTORY

K-State and Oklahoma State will meet for the 140th time on Wednesday with the Wildcats leading 82-57 in a series that dates back to 1922. OSU leads 22-16 in the Big 12 era, including 9-8 edge in games played in Manhattan.
OSU has won the last 4 games in the series, including series sweeps in both 2020 and 2021. Last season, the Cowboys posted a 70-54 victory on Jan. 9 at Bramlage Coliseum before a 67-60 win at home on Feb. 13.
Head coach Bruce Weber is 11-9 all-time against OSU, including a 6-3 record at home, while he is 4-4 vs. head coach Mike Boynton, Jr. Boynton, Jr., is 4-4 all-time against K-State, including 2-2 at Bramlage Coliseum.

LAST TIME OUT:
OLE MISS 67, K-STATE 56

K-State's offense could never find any rhythm, as Ole Miss controlled the paint and made the Wildcats take a near school-record 36 attempts from 3-point range en route to a 67-56 victory on Saturday afternoon in the ninth annual Big 12/SEC Challenge before 7,135 fans at The Sandy & John Black Pavilion.
K-State fell to 3-6 in the Big 12/SEC Challenge and remained winless in 5 road games. The loss was also the fourth straight in the Challenge series.
Ole Miss, which avenged 2 earlier losses to K-State in the Challenge series, held the Wildcats to a season-low 30.2 percent (19-of-63) shooting from the field, including 30.6 percent (11-of-36) from 3-point range, while allowing just 14 points in the paint, 2 points off turnovers and 2 fast-break points.
K-State, which played for the most part without starters Davion Bradford and Selton Miguel, got inspired efforts from fifth-year senior Mark Smith and sophomore Nijel Pack, who combined for 38 of the Wildcats' 56 points. Smith collected his team-leading fifth double-double of the season with a game-high 20 points and a career-tying 16 rebounds to go with 2 assists and 2 steals in 35 minutes, while Pack added 18 points and a season-high 7 assists.
It was Smith's eighth career 20-point game, while his 16 boards matched his total at Oklahoma on January 1 and are the most by any Big 12 player this season. Pack hit 6 or more 3-pointers for the third time this season.
Despite the notable efforts from Smith and Pack, the rest of the Wildcats combined for just 18 points, hitting on just 7-of-32 attempts (21.9 percent) from the field, including 3-of-17 (17.7 percent) from 3-point range.
Ole Miss matched its impressive performance on the defensive front with an efficient afternoon on offense, connecting 45.1 percent (23-of-51) from the field, including 51.1 percent (17-of-33) from inside the 3-point arc, and scoring nearly half its points (32) in the paint. The team also knocked 15 of 20 attempts (75 percent) from the line. Freshman Daeshun Ruffin led with 17 points.
K-State's 36 attempts from 3-point range were just one shy of the school record set twice, first in 2005 then again in 2020, and tied for the third-most all-time. The Wildcats did connect on 11 of its 36 attempts from long range, marking the seventh time they had 10 or more made 3-pointers in a game this season, but managed just 8 other baskets inside the 3-point arc.

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 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 221 opponents (out of 320 total) under 70 points during Bruce Weber's tenure, including a program-best 31 in 2012-13. The Wildcats have also held 110 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.
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. The Wildcats were able to win 4 of their last 7 games in 2020-21 due to their improved defense, as they held 5 of those 7 foes under 60 points, allowing just 59.3 points per game in that span.
K-State has started the season off where they left off at the end of the 2020-21 season, as the defense is allowing 63.1 points on 40.7 percent shooting, including 26.9 percent from 3-point range. The Wildcats rank among the top-40 in 2 defensive categories, including fifth in 3-point field goal percentage defense and 37th in scoring defense.
After allowing 70 or more points in the first 3 Big 12 games, K-State had been better in the 3 league contests before Kansas, allowing just 58.7 points on 40.5 percent shooting, including 25.9 percent from long range. The Wildcats held the Red Raiders to one of their worst offensive performances on Jan. 15, allowing their second-fewest points (51) and forcing 18 turnovers. It marked the 100th win under Weber when holding an opponent below 60 points (100-10).

'CATS CONTINUE STRIDES ON OFFENSE

The Wildcats are averaging 67 points on 41.8 percent shooting, including 33.7 percent from 3-point range, while connecting on 70.6 percent from the free throw line through the first 20 games. The team is averaging 27.1 points in the paint,17.1 points off the bench, 14.9 points off turnovers, 7.5 fast-break points and 9.0 points on second-chance opportunities.
K-State's offensive numbers are slightly lower in Big 12 play, as the Wildcats are averaging 62.9 points on 40.1 percent shooting, including 34.2 percent from 3-point range, and 64.1 percent from the free throw line. The team is averaging 23.8 points in the paint, 10.5 points off the bench, 12.9 points off turnovers, 7.5 fast-break points and 9.1 points on second-chance opportunities.
K-State's offense shines when the Wildcats share the ball, as the team is averaging 71.7 points and 14.9 assists in their 10 wins compared to just 62.6 points and 11.8 assists in their 10 losses. The squad has scored 294 points (29.4 ppg.) in the paint in their 10 wins, including a season-high 46 vs. North Dakota, which were the most since scoring 50 vs. Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 16, 2018.

MARKED IMPROVEMENT FROM 3

After ranking among the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country in 2020-21, those numbers have improved in 2021-22. The Wildcats are second in the Big 12 in 3-point field goal per game (8.00), while they are third in the league in 3-point field goal percentage (33.7). In Big 12 play, the team ranks second in 3-point makes (8.00) and third in 3-point percentage (34.2).
Last season, K-State ranked eighth in the Big 12 in 3-point field goals made (6.59) and 10th in 3-point field goals percentage (29.6). In league play, the team was 10th in both 3-point makes (5.67) and 3-point percentage (27.0). The Wildcats ranked 319th (out of 340) in 3-point field goal percentage, while they were 126th in total 3-point field goals (191) and 243rd in 3-pointers per game.
The Wildcats' 3-point shooting plays a big part in wins and losses, as the team is averaging 8.6 3-point makes on 37.7 percent shooting in 10 wins, while they are averaging 7.4 treys on just 30 percent shooting in their 10 losses.
Sophomore Nijel Pack ranks first in the Big 12 in 3-point field goals/game (3.28), while he is third in 3-point field goal percentage (42.4). Junior Markquis Nowell is 14th in 3-point makes (1.39). Pack is also second in 3-point field goals/game (3.50) in Big 12-only games and third in percentage (40.6).

BUILDING BETTER 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. The team ranked second nationally in true freshmen starts with Davion Bradford, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack starting in 17 of the 29 games.
The team has used at least 7 players in each game with 6 averaging nearly 6 points per game, including 3 double-digit scorers (Pack, Nowell and Smith).
K-State is averaging nearly 17.1 points per game from its bench this season, including 28-point efforts against No. 13/12 Arkansas and No. 14/15 Illinois. The team is 8-2 this season when getting 20 or more points from the bench.
The bench has played a significant factor in success in Big 12 play with the Wildcats combining for 38 bench points in the wins over No. 19/19 Texas Tech (21) and No. 23/22 Texas (17), while just getting 32 combined points in the losses to Oklahoma (8), Texas (4), West Virginia (6), TCU (7) and Kansas (7).

MINIMIZING TURNOVERS

K-State ranks among the best in the Big 12 with just 11.2 turnovers per game, including just 10.50 miscues per game in league play. The team has single-digit turnovers in 6 games, including twice in Big 12 play.
The Wildcats rank fourth in assist/turnover ratio (+1.16) and seventh in turnover margin (+2.05). Those numbers are better in league action, as they are second in assist/turnover ratio (+1.01) and third in turnover margin (+2.13).
Junior Markquis Nowell is second overall in assist/turnover ratio (+2.09) and second in league-only games at +2.12. He is second in the Big 12 in assists (5.22), while he is tops in steals (2.33) in all games.
The Wildcats had just 5 turnovers at Ole Miss, which ties for the eighth-fewest in a game in school history and one shy of the season-low of 4 vs. Illinois.

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.
The Wildcats have also had 10 turnovers or less 5 times in the last 13 games, including 7 vs. Wichita State (12/1/21), 6 vs. Texas (1/4/22) and Kansas (1/22/22) and 5 at Ole Miss (1/29/22).

PACK OFF TO STRONG START

Sophomore Nijel Pack is off to an impressive start to the 2021-22 season, as he has led or have been tied for the team lead in scoring in 11 of 18 games played, including posting consecutive 20-point outings against No. 14/16 Texas (21) and West Virginia (20) for the first time in his career to go along with his career-high 35-point outburst vs. No. 7/7 Kansas.
Pack is averaging a team-best 16.6 points on 44.4 percent (104-of-234) shooting, including 42.4 percent (59-of-139) from 3-point range, to go with 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31.4 minutes per game. He is the leader in scoring, double-digit scoring games (17), field goals (104) and 3-point field goals (59).
Pack ranks among the Big 12's top-10 in 4 categories, including first in 3-point field goals per game (3.28), third in 3-point field goal percentage, fourth in scoring and sixth in field goal percentage. Through 8 Big 12 games, he is second in both scoring (18.3 ppg.) and 3-point field goals per game (3.50).

NOWELL PROVIDES SPARK

Junior Markquis Nowell returned to the lineup against West Virginia and provided an immediate spark to the Wildcat, collecting his third points/assists double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 assists in 32 minutes. He is believed to be the first Wildcat to accomplish the feat in his first league game.
His 3 points/assists double-doubles are the most-ever by a Wildcat in both a single-season and career, as he also posted double-doubles against Marquette (11 points, 11 assists) and McNeese (18 points, 10 assists). He nearly tallied the school's first recorded triple-double vs. Marquette, as he added 8 rebounds to his 11 points and 11 assists in 37 minutes. He now has 8 such double-doubles in his college career, posting 5 during his 3-year stint at Little Rock (2018-21).
Nowell leads in assists (94) and steals (42), while he is second in scoring (11.8 ppg.), while connecting on 39.6 percent from the field and 84.8 percent from the free throw line. He ranks 13th in the nation and first in the Big 12 in steals (2.33), while he is 23rd nationally and second in the Big 12 in assists (5.2).

SMITH CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

The loss at Oklahoma overshadowed a historic performance by senior Mark Smith, who became the first Wildcat in school history to post a game of at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists since assists became officially kept by the NCAA in 1976-77. He had career-highs in points (25), rebounds (16) and assists (5), while posting zero turnovers in 39 minutes. His 16 rebounds were the most since Michael Beasley registered 17 boards against Missouri on Feb. 16, 2008.
For his efforts, Smith was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, becoming the first Wildcat to earn the honor since Dean Wade in 2016.
Smith, who is averaging a near double-double in Big 12 play (12.1 ppg., 8.0 rpg.), posted his second 20/10 double-double at Ole Miss on Saturday, as he scored a game-high 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting to go with a career-tying 16 rebounds in 35 minutes. He has 5 double-doubles this season (6 in his career).

MOVING TOWARDS 500

Head coach Bruce Weber is working towards a coaching milestone, as he is 7 wins away from earning 500 in his career. He enters Wednesday's game with a 493-295 (.626) 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 27 current Division I coaches have reached 500 wins in their career with Herb Sendek (Santa Clara) recently joining the club.

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 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 practice in late December.
Although that luck has been tested early with 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 practice in late December.
The backcourt has been hit of late, as Pack missed 2 games against Wichita State and Marquette due to a concussion, while Markquis Nowell missed the first 2 Big 12 games due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Seven players (Bradford, Edwards, Nowell, junior Kaosi Ezeagu, freshman Logan Landers and walk-ons Jordan Brooks and Trey Harris) plus head coach Bruce Weber missed the game vs. No. 14/16 Texas (1/4/22), while six players (Edwards, Ezeagu, Landers, Brooks, Harris and senior Mike McGuirl) and Weber missed the game at West Virginia (1/8/22) due to health protocols.
K-State has played just 3 games with 10 healthy scholarship players.

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 (four 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). All 3 took advantage of the new transfer rules and are immediately eligible in 2021-22.
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 450 triples (455) in their respective careers on 36.1 percent shooting.
The trio have made their impact in the first 20 games with Smith starting every game, while Massoud and Nowell have 15 and 12 starts, respectively. They have combined for 568 points (28.4 ppg.) on 40 percent (198-of-494) shooting with 287 rebounds (14.4 rpg.), 138 assists (6.9 apg.) and 79 steals (4.0 spg). Nowell has scored in double figures in 12 games, including 3 points/assists double-doubles, while Massoud has 7 double-digit scoring games. Smith has 5 double-doubles and leads the Big 12 in rebounding (8.4 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: AT TCU (15-4, 4-3 Big 12)

K-State hits the road for Fort Worth, Texas on Saturday, as the Wildcats wrap on the season series against TCU (15-4, 4-3 Big 12) at 7 p.m., CT on Big 12 Now. The Horned Frogs won the first meeting, 60-57, at Bramlage Coliseum on Jan. 12.

Game Preview // K-State Returns Home to Face Oklahoma State Wednesday

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Players Mentioned

Davion Bradford

Jordan Brooks

Maximus Edwards

Kaosi Ezeagu

Trey Harris

Drew Honas

Luke Kasubke

Logan Landers

Seryee Lewis

Carlton Linguard, Jr.

Mike McGuirl

Selton Miguel

Markquis Nowell

Nijel Pack

Mark Smith

Kansas State University Athletics

Game Preview // K-State Returns Home to Face Oklahoma State Wednesday

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Players Mentioned

Davion Bradford

Jordan Brooks

Maximus Edwards

Kaosi Ezeagu

Trey Harris

Drew Honas

Luke Kasubke

Logan Landers

Seryee Lewis

Carlton Linguard, Jr.

Mike McGuirl

Selton Miguel

Markquis Nowell

Nijel Pack

Mark Smith

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