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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xml:lang="en"> <title>Bring On The Cats - All Posts</title> <subtitle>A Kansas State Wildcats Blog -- Carrying the Banner High</subtitle> <icon>https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47995/bringoncats_fave.png</icon> <updated>2024-04-29T10:47:03-05:00</updated> <id>http://www.bringonthecats.com/rss/current/</id> <link type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/" rel="alternate"/> <entry> <published>2024-04-29T10:47:03-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-29T10:47:03-05:00</updated> <title>SLATE: Sinnott highlights Kansas State’s 2024 NFL Draft class</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Nov 18, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats tight end Ben Sinnott (34) catches a touchdown pass against Kansas Jayhawks safety Marvin Grant (4) during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Q691eAhON89-yGvMWkE5n-NqzhU=/0x0:3025x2017/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73315294/usa_today_21931052.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption> </figure> <p>Big Ben went in the 2nd, Beebe in the 3rd, and Leveston in the 7th; plus baseball and basketball updates.</p> <h3 id="T39saM">Football</h3><p id="KZ60PO">The 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> concluded this past weekend with three Wildcats being selected during the draft. All-Big 12 First Team honoree Ben Sinnott was the first Cat taken, <a href="https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-draft-te-ben-sinnott-with-no-53-overall-pick">selected with the 53rd overall pick by the Washington Commanders</a>, who traded up in the 2nd round to select the talented tight end. The Dallas Cowboys then took All-American Cooper Beebe <a href="https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cooper-beebe-to-cowboys-as-3rd-round-pick">with the 73rd overall pick (3rd round)</a>, reuniting him with the Cowboys 5th-round pick last year, Deuce Vaughn. And last but not least, <a href="https://www.therams.com/news/kt-leveston-offensive-lineman-nfl-draft-pick-254-meant-to-be-rams">with the 254th pick (7th round) the LA Rams</a> took KT Leveston, which was fitting as the o-lineman grew up in Waco, TX in the 254 area code.</p><p id="SREnc4">Along with the four selections in the 2023 draft, the three selections in the 2024 draft mark the first time since the 2002 &amp; 2003 drafts that <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State</a> has had three or more selections in consecutive drafts.</p><p id="eLVdhz">Others finding spots after the draft:</p><ul><li id="XjuuCv">Phillip Brooks - Chiefs (UDFA)</li><li id="MTMdBT">Christian Duffie - Panthers (UDFA)</li><li id="6mM1eh">Khalid Duke - Titans (UDFA)</li><li id="kpaip9">Hayden Gillum - Bears (camp invite)</li><li id="Y9dkSq">Randen Plattner - Ravens (UDFA)</li></ul><p id="fD9CYm">Also over the weekend, the future for the Wildcats became brighter, as <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/29/football-k-state-signs-transfer-running-back-dylan-edwards">running back Dylan Edwards has signed with K-State</a>. Edwards had committed to K-State last summer as a 4-star recruit out of Derby, KS, but eventually chose to de-commit, then commit to Notre Dame, de-commit from <em>there</em>, before ultimately signing with Colorado and new Buffs head coach Deion Sanders. But after a 2023 campaign where Edwards led the Buffs in rushing with 341 yards on 76 carries (seriously) and a touchdown, he decided, like many out in Boulder, to enter the transfer portal this spring.</p><p id="xbMTOt">Edwards joins his childhood friend Avery Johnson, as well as fellow Sunflower State standout DJ Giddens in the K-State backfield, and will have three years of eligibility remaining.</p><h3 id="hmFOhQ">Basketball</h3><p id="xbfWfj">It’s been an in-and-out spring for the TangCats. Just to get everyone caught up, in addition to the three graduates with expired eligibility (McNair, Perry, and Lindsey):</p><p id="Sn4Fq6">OUT (as of 4/29/2024)</p><ul><li id="ghnkH4">Cam Carter, G (transfer, LSU)</li><li id="la8mI0">Dorian Finister, G/F (transfer, unknown)</li><li id="asX0iW">Jerrell Colbert, F (transfer, unknown)</li><li id="AmeB3Q">Arthur Kaluma, F (NBA draft)</li><li id="0XT9n8">R.J. Jones, G (transfer, unknown)</li><li id="8oSIgw">Ques Glover, G (transfer, unknown)</li><li id="eLA9Ql">Dai Dai Ames, G (transfer, unknown)</li></ul><p id="HUHulK">IN (as of 4/29/2024</p><ul><li id="MKZpvX">David Castillo, G (HS)</li><li id="KqnKFz"><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/4/mens-basketball-tang-signs-transfer-dug-mcdaniel">Dug McDaniel</a>, G (transfer, Michigan)</li><li id="p5h3uB"><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/16/mens-basketball-tang-signs-transfer-c-j-jones">C.J. Jones</a>, G (transfer, Illinois-Chicago (UIC))</li><li id="vrHA06"><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/26/mens-basketball-tang-signs-transfer-brendan-hausen">Brendan Hausen</a>, G (transfer, Villanova)</li><li id="5EkYMs"><a href="https://twitter.com/KStateMBB/status/1784966224574550220">Baye Fall</a>, F (transfer, Arkansas)</li></ul><p id="eKuMHz">Tang and staff will still be hitting the portal hard, as they still have five spots to fill after Dai Dai Ames entered the portal late Sunday.</p><p id="vAUTXj">The MittieCats have also snagged a couple big gets out of the portal this spring, adding <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/5/womens-basketball-k-state-adds-transfer-kennedy-taylor-for-2024-25-season">forward Kennedy Taylor</a> from Missouri State to compliment <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/7/womens-basketball-k-states-lee-to-return-for-2024-25-season">the return of Ayoka Lee for one more season</a>; as well as <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/22/womens-basketball-k-state-wbb-adds-temira-poindexter-to-2024-25-roster">hot-shooting guard Temira Poindexter</a> from Tulsa. Poindexter holds the Tulsa record for points in a season with the 734 she knocked in last season on her way to earning 2024 American Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Year honors. Both Kennedy and Poindexter have one season of eligibility left.</p><h3 id="i6RONx">Baseball</h3><p id="nT8cDR">It’s been a rough April for the BatCats, who will head into the month of May at 26-17 overall and 10-11 in Big 12 play <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/28/baseball-cats-take-series-finale-in-saturdays-doubleheader">after going 1-2 this past weekend against TCU in Fort Worth</a>. In April, the Cats are just 4-8 in Big 12 play, picking up just the series win over Oklahoma State at Tointon a couple weeks ago. That was, however, a pretty massive series win as it was the first series win over the Pokes since 2010. It was also the only conference series at home during April, as K-State played three of it’s four conference sets on the road.</p><p id="UCYCRa">If the Cats want to make the NCAA field, they’ll need a strong push in the final month of the regular season. First up is a mid-week game in Lincoln against Nebraska on Wednesday, followed by the Sunflower Showdown in Manhattan this coming weekend (FYI, all three games are a sellout). Then it’s a trip out to Morgantown the following weekend to face the Mountaineers, and finally a three game set against BYU in Manhattan May 16th-18th (Thursday-Saturday, because BYU doesn’t play on Sunday’s). It’s three very-winnable series for K-State, and they’ll need to pick up all three to keep their postseason hopes alive — including a trip to Arlington for the Big 12 Championships. K-State is currently 8th in the Big 12 standings, and only 10 of the 13 schools make the conference tournament.</p><p id="B4AQfR"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/4/29/24144279/slate-sinnott-highlights-kansas-state-football-2024-nfl-draft-class-transfers-basketball-baseball"/> <id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/4/29/24144279/slate-sinnott-highlights-kansas-state-football-2024-nfl-draft-class-transfers-basketball-baseball</id> <author> <name>JT VanGilder</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-25T17:48:11-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-25T17:48:11-05:00</updated> <title>Kansas State Football: Cooper Beebe NFL Draft Profile</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 18: Kansas State Wildcats offensive lineman Cooper Beebe (50) celebrates with teammates after a Big 12 football game between the Kansas State Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks on Nov 18, 2023 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EI-yvmhKn0tRr_mmfL1uiajVbN4=/0x0:5994x3996/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73306007/1790170052.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Want to know what you’re getting in Cooper Beebe? Drew has the road grader with the feet of a ballerina covered.</p> <p id="3TLeVr">Note:</p><p id="on2She">If you’re reading this, you’re either a K-State fan, one of my relatives, or your team drafted Ben Sinnott. I’m gearing this profile towards folks looking for info on Sinnott because we already know him and let’s face it, my relatives are mainly in it for the pictures. Keep in mind, this is a Kansas State blog. I’m going to give you the best case scenario.</p><p id="0Ex4ED">*All measurements and testing numbers are from the NFL Combine.</p><h2 id="7jjiIY"><strong>Cooper Beebe</strong></h2><div id="bfhM18"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cooper Beebe is a OG prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.28 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RAS</a> out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 111 out of 1523 OG from 1987 to 2024.<a href="https://t.co/rdyWAhG3W9">https://t.co/rdyWAhG3W9</a> <a href="https://t.co/nbCAVayFdv">pic.twitter.com/nbCAVayFdv</a></p>— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) <a href="https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1774114362854359407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="qQmusD">*If you like the NFL Draft, the above account is amazing.</p><h3 id="nw8UzU"><strong>Size Evaluation</strong></h3><p id="uRGx4i">Cooper is built like a keg. He’s a little on the short side (although I’m 6’3” and people have called me “tall” my entire life), and at 322 pounds, he’s basically a cylinder with appendages. When he decides he doesn’t want to move, it’s going to take more than one guy to move him, and when he wants to move forward, he’s going to move forward.</p><p id="J8a6MD">Everyone wants offensive linemen that could double as power forwards in basketball. Beebe doesn’t fit that mold. He doesn’t have the wingspan of Wemby, hands like Shaq, which could limit him to guard in the NFL. He held up fine in the Big 12 on the edge and could play there in a pinch in the pros, but you’re not going to look at him and say, “Yeah, that dude’s a tackle.” Then again, plenty of Big 12 edge rushers thought that and ended up staring at the sky, wondering why they ever played football in the first place.</p><p id="aH8tJI">I was a little surprised by the bench press numbers. Short(ish) arms and a barrel chest is the perfect setup for huge bench numbers, but 20 reps had to disappoint Beebe. Nothing about his film indicates a lack of strength. Not sure what to make of it really. Maybe just a bad day (sometimes I write things like “20 reps (at 225) had to disappoint,” and the words only make sense in this exact context; otherwise, that’s top 0.1% in the world)?</p><h3 id="v5cm11"><strong>Athletic Testing Evaluation</strong></h3><p id="QQE7D5">Cooper doesn’t look like an athlete. He looks like a dude that spends his day pitching hay bales.</p><p id="yjIZLS">Rest assured, Cooper is a freak athlete.</p><p id="avyHg3">The man ran a 5.08 40 at 322 pounds. That’s nightmare fuel. Not only is he two people wide, he can run you down from behind. If Cooper is chasing you in the wild, climbing a tree and hoping the limbs can’t hold his weight is your only option, but I figure he’d just end up shaking you out of the tree. I can’t imagine a scenario where a nice guy like Cooper would be chasing you through the woods, but it’s my job to paint a picture, and he’s the human equivalent of a black bear.</p><p id="0sUITt">Not only is he straight-line fast, he’s also agile. That’s what allowed him to start at both right and left tackle despite not having the ideal length. He gets on the edge, and defenders can’t work around his quick feet and massive frame. The NFL loves metrics, and for good reason. Players tend to follow trends, and the trend right now is that short-armed players don’t play tackle. I think Beebe, at least as an option off the bench, can play tackle in the NFL. It might not be an everyday thing, but in a sport where roster flexibility is crucial, having a guard not only capable but experienced at kicking out to tackle, is a huge selling point. Draft Beebe, and you could end up with RG1 and RT3 and LT4 all in one massive package.</p><h3 id="GUk9Hu"><strong>Skill Set</strong></h3><p id="vcPQ17">I’ve touched on this a few times already, but he can play anywhere on the line, or at least he did at Kansas State.</p><div id="24aGM9"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cooper Beebe tested as a fantastic athlete (9.27 RAS) and graded out incredibly well by <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PFF</a>.<br><br>But I LOVE how he played multiple spots.<br><br>LG: 1,887 snaps<br>LT: 795 snaps<br>RT: 488 snaps<br>RG: 25 snaps</p>— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) <a href="https://twitter.com/Marcus_Mosher/status/1769717933444411539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="KjzW4g">Whatever the team needed, Cooper provided and provided it at an elite level. He’s a mauler on the interior, but his ability to pull around and bury defenders is next level. He can play in a zone-blocking scheme, but for my money, he’s at his best pulling around and eliminating multiple defenders.</p><p id="FjU36a">I don’t think Beebe gets enough credit for how well he moves and how quickly he can adapt to a new position. Some linemen have trouble with their pass sets when they swap sides. I’ve seen Beebe switch between left guard and right tackle, multiple times, on the same drive. The body awareness required is amazing. It’s the offensive line equivalent of being able to shoot with either hand in basketball.</p><p id="j4hXtC">He’s truly a balanced lineman, able to pass and run block, despite the fact that he looks like a pure road grader. Again, don’t let his looks fool you; the dude is an elite athlete who knows how to move his mass with stunning efficiency, not just forwards and backwards, but also side to side. Watching him stalk a linebacker or safety as he comes around the edge looking to deliver a run-springing block is football nirvana if you’re cheering for his team and a scene from Eli Roth’s first Hostel movie if you’re friends or family with the guy about to get destroyed. I’ve written more words about football than I care to acknowledge, but the only time I’ve ever stood up during a game in anticipation of a guard destroying a linebacker is watching Beebe at the end of the NC State game (seriously, check out the highlights).</p><h3 id="tGLETl"><strong>Personality</strong></h3><p id="ppz374">“Old School” comes to mind. </p><p id="ODg8Cb">I’m not sure coming back to Kansas State helped his draft stock, but he wanted another season with the Kansas State beef (what they called the line). He also wanted to put his name in contention for the K-State Ring of Honor. That’s what makes Cooper different and one of the reasons why I think teams will regret not taking him in the first round. He was more concerned about his legacy than getting into the NFL as soon as possible. </p><p id="1orAcL">No one would have blamed him for leaving after helped lead K-State to a Big 12 Championship as a junior, but he stuck around because he didn’t just want to be another great K-State lineman, he wanted to be the first lineman in the Ring of Honor.</p><p id="t8Mg3B">That’s the type of leadership and dedication that people get behind. He leads from the front.</p><h3 id="575cZE"><strong>Overall</strong></h3><p id="T0La6r">Cooper Beebe is a first round draft pick. </p><p id="zbiUym">The eggheads might talk themselves out of it, and make him a second round pick, because of his arm length, but he’s a first round pick, even if he doesn’t go in the first round. He’s going to be a plug and play guard in the NFL, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s from day 1.</p><p id="aKAjYm">If your team drafted him, and you're reading this, congrats, you just filled a guard spot for a decade or more (did I mention he’s also incredibly durable?).</p><h3 id="9Sm8w8"><strong>Highlights</strong></h3><p id="CpsbzH">You wanna see some dead bodies?</p><div id="Cw30NW"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cVUGlLlqgiU?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div><p id="g5L82J">*If you’re looking for K-State stuff on YouTube, The K-State Fan has great content.</p><div id="Jj7xfT"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DcwT2KrEBxI?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div><p id="vCbHwd">*sorry y’all I had to go with this one.</p><p id="nRDUV5"></p><p id="iUY7Xt"></p><p id="BOARab"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/4/25/24140664/kansas-state-football-cooper-beebe-nfl-draft-profile"/> <id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/4/25/24140664/kansas-state-football-cooper-beebe-nfl-draft-profile</id> <author> <name>Drew Schneider</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-25T15:34:30-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-25T15:34:30-05:00</updated> <title>Kansas State Football: Ben Sinnot NFL Draft Profile</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Syndication: The Topeka Capital-Journal" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tt3mun-ZC7YdIJVUIYuW-apR63c=/0x0:4164x2776/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73305728/usa_today_23028805.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption> </figure> <p>Did your team draft Ben Sinnott? Drew breaks down what to expect from the versatile, athletic freak out of Manhattan.</p> <p id="3TLeVr">Note:</p><p id="on2She">If you’re reading this, you’re either a K-State fan, one of my relatives, or your team drafted Ben Sinnott. I’m gearing this profile towards folks looking for info on Sinnott because we already know him and let's face it, my relatives are mainly in it for the pictures. Keep in mind, this is a Kansas State blog. I’m going to give you the best case scenario.</p><p id="0Ex4ED">*All measurements and testing numbers are from the NFL Combine.</p><h2 id="QMRzmV"><strong>Ben Sinnott</strong></h2><div id="pgeV9O"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ben Sinnott is a TE prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.72 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RAS</a> out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 33 out of 1141 TE from 1987 to 2024.<a href="https://t.co/pHPbq2TTru">https://t.co/pHPbq2TTru</a> <a href="https://t.co/G3nB18T7Se">pic.twitter.com/G3nB18T7Se</a></p>— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) <a href="https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1773334231126868457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="17W9VJ">*If you like the NFL Draft, the above account is amazing. </p><h3 id="a1Gto3"><strong>Size Evaluation</strong></h3><p id="NxD694">Sinnott came to Kansas State as a 6’3”, 220-pound tight end out of Waterloo, Iowa. He is leaving at 6’4”, 250. That extra 30 pounds on his frame?</p><p id="QdEzpr">Pure Kansas wheat-fed muscle.</p><p id="VYSpBw">Size-wise, he’s not a monster but fits well within the position standards. He’s a little on the short side, coming in at a hair under 6’4”, and a little on the light side at 250. His hand size and arm length are a little below average for an NFL tight end. He doesn’t stand out as being small on the field (if that makes sense), but he’s not a guy who’s going to be a consistent size mismatch.</p><p id="MHJGMe">Then again, if he had ideal size, he wouldn’t have been a 0* recruit and walk-on at Kansas State because his athletic testing numbers are excellent.</p><h3 id="8MxJSt"><strong>Athletic Testing Evaluation</strong></h3><p id="9RgPSR">This is where Sinnott goes from a late-round pick to an early-to-mid-round selection. This dude is a straight-up athlete. It’s interesting; I’ve read a few evaluations that claim he lacks top-end speed, but I didn’t see that at Kansas State, and I don’t see it in these testing numbers.</p><p id="3cGkB3">He gets off the line in a hurry and has the top-end speed to stretch the field between the hash marks. I wouldn’t say speed is his best attribute, but he holds his own. This isn’t a lumbering dude looking for the first guy to hit once he catches the ball. He averaged 14.4 yards a reception in 2022 and 13.8 in 2023.</p><p id="0PQoOZ">Where he does excel is explosion and agility. You don’t see many 250-pound guys that can cut and jump like Ben Sinnott. When he has the ball, he’s surprisingly agile. Capable of making defenders miss enough that he can use his size to break tackles in the open field.</p><p id="AM2wvy">One of the knocks on Sinnott is his route running, and that’s still a work in progress, but keep in mind, he only started at K-State for 2 seasons, and for everything the ‘Cats do well, precision passing isn’t one of those things. His testing numbers, however, indicate plenty of room for improvement. He has the raw tools; they simply need to be refined. I’ll take that over a more polished route runner without his physical capabilities all-day-every-day. He is far from a finished on-field product.</p><h3 id="HiV3lG"><strong>Skill Set</strong></h3><p id="P9Kbmv">Versatility is the name of the game for Sinnott. When Kansas State went to their uptempo offense, he might line up at 3 different positions (fullback, tight end, wide receiver) on the same drive.</p><p id="NkbssU">Receiving is his best NFL skill. His hands, in particular, impressed me over the last two seasons. Will Howard threw multiple touchdown passes to him that I thought were either going to be picked off or knocked away. He will stay with a catch until the end and take whatever punishment necessary to bring the ball down. When he gets moving in the open field, it often requires 2 or 3 defensive backs to drag, kick, and fight for every inch to the turf. He’s also deadly on the goal line and in short yardage as a fullback in play action.</p><p id="GCIgnd">At the same time, there are plenty of good receiving tight ends in this era of football. What separates him from tight ends that play more like jumbo wide receivers is his ability and willingness to block. He might not be the best blocking fullback to play the game, but he’s at least serviceable if not above average. Roster space is at a premium in the NFL, and Ben is able to fill multiple roles in an offense. Receiving may be his best skill, but his ability to do everything else, at least competently, separates him from more one-dimensional tight ends.</p><p id="0nwxbW">He played in a run-heavy Kansas State offense that featured pulling guards, tackles, centers, and tight ends. He led the way for both Deuce Vaughn and DJ Giddens (a name to remember for next year) on multiple touchdown runs both as an in-line blocker and out of the backfield. The Wildcats loved to run quarterback power on the goal line with Sinnott leading the way for Will Howard. Kansas State put up 30 red zone rushing touchdowns last season, and Ben played a key role in the majority of those runs.</p><h3 id="8dqemz"><strong>Personality</strong></h3><p id="DFoin3">What else can you say about a walk-on poised to hear his name called in the NFL Draft? You’re not going to find many guys that will outwork Sinnott. He also had some of his best receiving games against Kansas State’s toughest opponents. If you’re looking for film, check out his 5-reception, 78-yard, 2-touchdown performance against Missouri last season. He also put up 5 receptions for 69 yards in a loss to Texas. It seemed like the tougher the opponent, the more Kansas State relied on Sinnott to move the ball in the passing game.</p><p id="hkkfxG">Whatever the complaints about his blocking ability, his “want to” is never mentioned. He might take a bad angle on occasion, but he’s going to take a bad angle going 100 miles an hour with bad intentions. Sometimes I think he’s a little too aggressive in his blocking and would be better served with more patience, but that’s something that is easy to correct on the NFL level.</p><h3 id="nE3tXk"><strong>Overall</strong></h3><p id="k2Tt4A">Is Sinnott going to be a star?</p><p id="sKnoq5">Probably not.</p><p id="n8n62a">Is he going to be a plug and play guy that fills two roles on roster with upside in the passing game?</p><p id="sQkZoE">Absolutely</p><p id="17VrnK">I would be shocked if, barring injury, Ben didn’t have a long and productive NFL career and pull down a couple crucial goal line touchdowns.</p><h3 id="eoizpj"><strong>Interview and Highlights</strong></h3><div id="tNuW5q"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q3uuu4z3Bsw?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div><div id="sTMINL"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6T5pGSbhwCA?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div><p id="C9ajkq"></p><p id="M9NscQ"></p><p id="QwW5Ck"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/4/25/24140479/kansas-state-football-ben-sinnot-nfl-draft-profile"/> <id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/4/25/24140479/kansas-state-football-ben-sinnot-nfl-draft-profile</id> <author> <name>Drew Schneider</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-16T16:38:24-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-16T16:38:24-05:00</updated> <title>Kansas State Basketball: What Dug McDaniel Brings to K-State.</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NCAA Basketball: Nebraska at Michigan" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/x0q2v6EnjSMkMYPhzBpoZP_u6-g=/0x80:2548x1779/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73283599/usa_today_22744135.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption> </figure> <p>Drew stops by to let us know what dynamic the dynamic Michigan transfer brings to Kansas State and how he fits into the overall puzzle of of the ‘24-’25 roster.</p> <p id="n8UfBu">Basketball season ends and transfer season begins. After a stressful and ultimately frustrating second season at the helm of the Wildcats, Coach Tang is looking to retool a team that struggled to establish a consistent identity on either side of the court.</p><p id="S0eIzv">At the top of his shopping list appears to be a starting caliber point guard with All-Conference potential, because that’s what he’s getting in Dug McDaniel.</p><div id="UxplCn"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another dude <a href="https://twitter.com/AyooFlyy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AyooFlyy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KStateMBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KStateMBB</a> x EMAW <a href="https://t.co/7Jn3gt0mrg">pic.twitter.com/7Jn3gt0mrg</a></p>— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateMBB/status/1775634575219171787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><div id="Vfp6A9"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Statement from Jerome Tang on the commitment of Dug McDaniel <a href="https://t.co/YEzh1CMZNY">pic.twitter.com/YEzh1CMZNY</a></p>— Ryan Gilbert (@GPCRyanG) <a href="https://twitter.com/GPCRyanG/status/1775955801716170930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><h3 id="ZMZM7k"><strong>What Dug Brings to the Court</strong></h3><p id="Bv7zx9">Covering Purdue, I’ve watched Dug play a few times over the last two years, but I turned to former Michigan player and current college basketball content creator Ant Wright for his opinion first.</p><p id="h3VJu3">In Ant’s estimation, Dug is “inarguably one of the fastest players in the country, doesn’t have the same vision as Nowell but he’s a bit bigger and better scorer... can be streaky a bit from 3, but all in all, pairing him with a defensive-minded tough combo guard would be essential for a high floor, high ceiling backcourt.”</p><p id="CPdltk">(If you’re not following Ant Wright on your social media platform of choice, I highly recommend it. You can find all his social media information <a href="https://beacons.ai/itsantwright">here</a>.)</p><p id="b02aUy">Ant’s assessment, for the most part, mirrors mine. McDaniel looked like he was moving at a different speed than everyone else when I watched him play Purdue last season. He ended the game with 19 points on 7-20 shooting and 6 assists. He brought energy to a Michigan team that was sadly lacking when they traveled to West Lafayette to play the Boilermakers earlier in the season without McDaniel. That game ended 99-67 in Purdue’s favor, and the final score wasn’t indicative of just how pathetic Michigan looked in that game. With Dug in the lineup, they still lost, but in a more respectable 84-76 manner.</p><p id="2CxF1N">Dug’s not a big guy, listed at 5’11”, 160, but his speed with the ball is unrivaled in college basketball. When he gets the ball in transition, he’s a blur heading towards the rim. In Coach Tang’s first season in Manhattan, he ruthlessly pushed the pace with Markquis. According to KenPom, the Wildcats were 50th in the nation in average possession length (16.4) and 42nd in the nation in adjusted tempo. Compare that with the 2023-24 season where they played at a significantly slower pace, finishing 201st in average time of possession (17.7) and one hundred and sixty-sixth in adjusted tempo (67.7). Coach Tang is undoubtedly bringing McDaniel in to push the pace next season.</p><p id="VvbgON">In addition to pushing the ball up the court and getting points in transition, Dug brings solid, but not quite elite shooting, hitting 56 of his 152 attempts on the season (37%) as a sophomore and hitting 33-93 as a freshman (36%). His 3-point shot is particularly devastating in transition where he can stop on a dime and pull the trigger while defenders continue to retreat in an attempt to cope with his speed.</p><p id="leNjPJ">As Ant mentioned, he doesn’t have the vision as everyone’s favorite Point God, Markquis Knowell, but that’s a tough standard to hit. He led Michigan in assist rate as both a freshman (21.4) and sophomore (27.6) while improving his turnover rate from 17.1 as a freshman to 15.6 as a sophomore. To put that into perspective, Tylor Perry led <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State</a> with a 24.1 assist rate last season, but that came with a 19.6 turnover rate. Dug is more of a true point guard, as opposed to Perry, who is more of a shooting guard with a point guard body. Dug can score but doesn’t have to impact the game.</p><p id="DnJuSM">On defense, it’s a mixed bag. He’s quick and determined, but can get bullied by bigger point guards. His 1.8 steal percentage led Michigan last season but would have put him behind Cam Carter (2.3%) and tied with Tylor Perry on the K-State roster. His steal percentage of 2.2 as a freshman shows that he’s a consistent issue on the defensive end for opposing guards. Honestly, though, I’m not worried about his defense under Coach Tang. Yes, his size can be an issue, but he plays with energy and excitement and Coach is an expert at harassing that on the defensive end. You won’t confuse Dug for a defensive stopper, but he’ll be a pesky defender at the top of the key, capable of pressuring ball handlers and disrupting the opposing offense.</p><h3 id="76oxt4"><strong>Highlights</strong></h3><div id="hQ6Iy3"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e-Vd3E1Nj4I?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div><div id="sYNUKr"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kd_AOtdPXOo?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div><div id="KM1iy6"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w5Ad2hEkoaA?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div><h3 id="95dzZs"><strong>The Elephant in the Room</strong></h3><p id="Idma9k">If you haven’t heard by now, Dug McDaniel served one of the strangest suspensions in college basketball history last season, only suiting up for home games during the conference slate for “academic reasons.”</p><p id="HhxcQ3">I’m not worried about it.</p><p id="ayMNBZ">K-State, still smarting after the Tomlin experience last season, will keep a close eye on Dug and his academic progress. Both sides are going into this fully aware of what is expected. I’ve never met Dug, but you can tell by watching him on the court how much basketball means to him. I would be shocked if he allows it to be taken away from him again due to off-court issues.</p><h3 id="mWTzZk"><strong>How He Fits Into the Program</strong></h3><p id="uDi661">Dug wants to go fast, and Coach Tang wants to go fast; both should get what they want next season. McDaniel should immediately fill one of the starting guard spots with the returning Dai Dai Ames presumably taking the other backcourt spot. I would say McDaniel will start at point guards, and nominally he will, but in reality, Coach Tang will have two point guards on the floor, like he did last season once Ames broke into the starting lineup.</p><p id="Ll4mUC">The transition possibilities for this team are insane, if they can get the correct wings in place to complement the undersized but lightning-fast backcourt. The coaching staff went a long way in filling the need at wing with the recent signing of CJ Jones (more to come on him in a future article) and the potential return of Arthur Kaluma. If you’re going to have a small backcourt, pairing them with Jones (6’5”) and Kaluma (6’7”) is crucial. You need length on wings to make up for short guards.</p><p id="YEwWdE">Putting McDaniel on the floor with Ames, Jones, and Kaluma gives the Cats 4 players that can dribble, pass, and score at all 3 levels. Throw in a rim protecting transfer big, or roll with the capable N’Guessan at the 5 and the vision comes into focus.</p><p id="B2GZnN">That doesn’t even take into consideration a bench that could feature 4* top 60 point guard David Castillo, the returning RJ Jones, and two athletic 4’s in Macaleab Rich and Taj Manning. That’s not even taking into consideration the potential return/debut of transfer guard Ques Glover. This looks like a team built to run and pressure from the opening tip.</p><h3 id="l7ZJ68"><strong>What’s Next</strong></h3><p id="JA4ZnH">Coach Tang, in my humble opinion, has enough talent, right now, to return to the tournament if everyone that could return, does, but that doesn’t mean he won’t keep taking big swings in the portal. The benefit of already having a solid roster with the addition of McDaniel and Jones is that there is no downside to going after big names, and if those big names scare off someone else on the roster, that’s part of the game at this point.</p><p id="ZXr7qq">A quick scan of the transfer scene today puts Kansas State in on <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> big man Clifford Omoruyi (a beast on defense) and out on Arizona big man Oumar Ballo after he committed to Indiana earlier today. Duke wing Mark Mitchell is still on the table, but I wouldn’t get too excited just yet.</p><p id="M3Hdxq">After that, who knows?</p><p id="dU1WhM"></p><p id="EebbCK"></p><p id="tUkIYl"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/4/16/24132340/kansas-state-basketball-what-dug-mcdaniel-brings-to-k-state"/> <id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/4/16/24132340/kansas-state-basketball-what-dug-mcdaniel-brings-to-k-state</id> <author> <name>Drew Schneider</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-05T10:35:14-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-05T10:35:14-05:00</updated> <title>SLATE: It’s been a pretty solid week across Wildcatland</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Kansas State outfielder Bredan Jones (#5) slides into second base with a successful steal in the top of the 6th inning in the Wildcats 8-4 win over Missouri State on April 3, 2024" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nTyNlGTEnN6uYv_vZujttxur4XA=/101x0:4589x2992/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73258208/usa_today_22937226.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>AN ACTUAL PICTURE OF THE GAME FROM THIS WEEK! | Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption> </figure> <p>BatCats bounce back on Tuesday, TangCats get a major addition, awards, and upcoming events!</p> <h3 id="obnfaw">Baseball</h3><p id="pBUQQQ">After a weekend that saw <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State</a> end it’s winning streak end with sub-par defensive play and inconsistent pitching, the BatCats showed great resilience bouncing back in a strong showing on the road <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/3/baseball-culpepper-drives-in-four-wildcats-top-bears-wednesday">to earn an 8-4 win over Missouri State on Tuesday night</a> in Springfield, MO. That’s four wins for the Wildcats over the Bears this season, as the Wildcats also swept the series in Manhattan a few weekends ago.</p><p id="G7lT4m">The story on Tuesday night was Kaelen Culpepper, as the preseason All-American was a double short of the cycle, going 3-4 from the plate and taking a walk in his final at-bat in the 8th inning. Every one of his hits scored runs for the Wildcats, with his single in the 2nd driving in two, his triple in the 4th driving in one, plus his solo home run in the 7th to account for half of K-State’s final total. On the mound, eight Cats saw action with starter Blake Dean picking up his second win of the season allowing no runs in his two innings of work. Tyson Neighbors finished the day with a three-strikeout performance in the 9th.</p><p id="6wi6jn">Next up for the Cats (19-8, 6-3) is a <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/4/baseball-wildcats-take-on-25-ucf-in-sunshine-state">trip to Orlando to face a UCF Knights team that replaced K-State in the Top 25 polls this week</a>. The Knights (19-7, 6-6) opened their Big 12 slate with a sweep at the hands of Oklahoma, but have since won each of their last three series, going 2-1 each against OSU in Orlando, KU in Lawrence, and Texas Tech in Orlando. They’ve also got an impressive 9-6 win over then-#4 Florida on their resume. This will be a tough matchup for the Wildcats, and they will need to play better defensively than they did this past weekend if they want to stay near the top of the Big 12 standings.</p><p id="1tELrk">First pitch for Friday, April 5th is slated for just after 5pm CDT from John Euliano Park with Josh Wintroub taking the mound. Saturday’s start time is the same with Owen Boerema set to start, and Sunday’s finale is a noon CDT start but the K-State starter has not been announced. All three games, as usual, will be available on <a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=79572319-51d9-42da-9266-7ab38e1f115f">Big 12 Now on ESPN+</a> and can be heard online at KStateSports.com/watch and over the air in Manhattan on KMAN (1350AM/93.3/93.7FM)</p><p id="et6MDZ">On Thursday, junior second baseman Brady Day was named to the <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/4/baseball-day-tabbed-to-golden-spikes-award-midseason-watch-list">USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List</a>. Day becomes just the third Wildcat to make the midseason watch list, joining Jared King (2013) and Ross Kivett (2014). Day is the leading offensive threat for the Wildcats, and is one of the best hitters in the Big 12 through the first half of the season. If Day can make it to the semifinal list, Wildcat fans will have an opportunity to vote to help him make the finalist list.</p><h3 id="pEi3cR">Basketball</h3><p id="RVkKlA">The TangCats started their offseason with a bang, landing the commitment (and signing) of <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/4/mens-basketball-tang-signs-transfer-dug-mcdaniel">talented Michigan-transfer guard Dug McDaniel</a>. McDaniel, a 5’11” sophomore point guard originally from Washington, D.C., entered the transfer portal in mid-march after then-Michigan coach Juwan Howard was fired. He is considered one of the top transfers in the country this season, and was immediately <a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/college/cat-zone/2024/04/04/kansas-state-basketball-coach-jerome-tang-says-dug-mcdaniel-is-key-pickup/73209143007/">the highest priority for the K-State staff</a>. McDaniel will come to K-State with two years of eligibility remaining. This past season at Michigan, Dug averaged 16.3 points per game, including shooting 36.8% from deep, along with 4.7 assists. McDaniel picked K-State over TCU, as well as offers from well over a dozen other power conference and top-level teams.</p><p id="uEIzgP">The K-State staff is also strong on fellow Michigan transfer Tarris Reed Jr., a 6’10” sophomore forward originally from St. Louis. Not only do the Cats have the connection through McDaniel, who roomed with Reed Jr. in Ann Arbor, but Reed Jr. played for current K-State assistant Rodney Perry at LINK Prep in Branson before both went on to college ball.</p><h3 id="vVjoLs">Golf</h3><p id="WfzXKb">It’s been a big week for K-State junior Carla Bernat. Not only did the Spaniard <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/4/womens-golf-bernat-advances-to-final-round-of-augusta-national-womens-amateur">shoot an incredible 3-under 69 at Augusta National on Thursday</a> to improve above the cut line at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and advance to Saturday’s finale, she was also named the <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/4/womens-golf-bernat-named-big-12-golfer-of-the-month">Big 12 Golfer of the Month for March</a>. Bernat’s honor is the first for K-State since Reid Isaac received the distinction in Sept. 2019, and is just the 5th time in school history. The award comes after Bernat had a pair of top-three finishes in March, and without shooting a round over par in six tries, while four of the six were in the 60s. Congrats, Carla!</p><h3 id="SAvr7H">Volleyball</h3><p id="JPFbpv">The <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2024/4/4/k-state-unveils-complete-2024-volleyball-schedule">2024 K-State volleyball schedule has been released</a>, and features an 18-match Big 12 slate with home-and-home matches with KU, UCF, Iowa State, and West Virginia, as well as a non-conference matchup with former Big 12 foe Oklahoma in Manhattan on Sept 21st as part of a yet-unnamed invitational. K-State opens the season against Purdue in West Layfaette on August 30th as part of the Purdue Volleyball’s Stacy Clark Classic, and will also face USC in Omaha at Creighton’s invitational, and North Carolina at the K-State Invitational in mid-September.</p><p id="FpiGKt"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/k-state-slate/2024/4/5/24121934/slate-its-been-a-pretty-solid-week-across-wildcatland-kansas-state-baseball-basketball-golf"/> <id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/k-state-slate/2024/4/5/24121934/slate-its-been-a-pretty-solid-week-across-wildcatland-kansas-state-baseball-basketball-golf</id> <author> <name>JT VanGilder</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-03-24T12:30:00-05:00</published> <updated>2024-03-24T12:30:00-05:00</updated> <title>2024 NCAA Tournament Round of 32: Kansas State vs Colorado</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Serena Sundell (4) in the huddle with teammates in the fourth quarter of the Portland Pilots game versus the Kansas State Wildcats in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Championship on Mar 22, 2024 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, KS" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XFR5ZsBAQgvuCiCe60JmXSZhnQk=/0x0:5997x3998/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73229719/2100333812.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>The 4-seed Wildcats take on the 5-seed Buffalos with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.</p> <p id="qaX9dl">Your <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State Wildcats</a> earned their trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 78-65 win over 13-seed Portland in opening round action on Friday afternoon.</p><p id="lKn6hX">They’re used to this. The 4-seed Wildcats have failed to advance to this round just twice in the last 22 years of trips to the Big Dance. It’s getting past this stage that’s been the hard part. Since expansion of the tournament, the Wildcats have made the Sweet 16 just once, in 2002. Playing at home in front of a raucous home crowd, led by a multi-time All-American, should give them their best chance in many years. Now, to take advantage of it.</p><p id="67uDWW">Today’s opponent is also looking to advance past this round, but for the second time in as many seasons. 5-seed Colorado earned their trip to the second round with an 86-72 win over 12-seed Drake on Friday evening. The Buffs made waves at the beginning of the season by knocking off defending national champion LSU in Las Vegas to open the season, but haven’t won a meaningful road game since. They fell as the 5-seed in their final Pac-12 Tournament to 4-seed Oregon State and, similarly to the Wildcats, have dropped six of their last eight before picking up the win on Friday.</p><p id="BcBQn5">Again, on paper this is a game that the Wildcats should win. They won’t be faced with the same issues that Portland’s aggressive defense caused, but Colorado will not be intimidated by the big stage and the big crowd in Bramlage. K-State should make the Sweet 16, but they are going to have to earn it every second today.</p><p id="wq5oAp">This afternoon’s tipoff in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament is at 1:00pm CT from Bramlage Colisuem, and can be seen on ESPN (<a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/341e9fc2-62e2-41b8-82b4-51a43b50bc04">WatchESPN</a>) with Brenda VanLengen (play-by-play) and Holly Warlick (analyst) on the call. You can also listen to Brian Smoller (play-by-play) and Kristin Waller (analyst) call the action online at <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/live">K-StateSports.com</a> and <a href="https://thevarsitynetwork.com/audioapplink/source/kansas-state-university:oas-1358/content/kstate:allaccess-Live-5732">via </a><a href="https://thevarsitynetwork.com/audioapplink/source/kansas-state-university:oas-1358/content/kstate:allaccess-Live-5672">the</a><a href="https://thevarsitynetwork.com/audioapplink/source/kansas-state-university:oas-1358/content/kstate:allaccess-Live-5733"> Varsity Network app</a>, as well as over-the-air in the Manhattan area on Sunny 102.5 FM and on KMAN (1350AM, 93.3/93.7FM).</p><p id="q9u8nO"><strong>Go Cats!</strong></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/3/24/24110497/2024-ncaa-womens-tournament-round-of-32-kansas-state-vs-colorado-college-basketball-game-thread"/> <id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/3/24/24110497/2024-ncaa-womens-tournament-round-of-32-kansas-state-vs-colorado-college-basketball-game-thread</id> <author> <name>JT VanGilder</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-03-22T15:00:00-05:00</published> <updated>2024-03-22T15:00:00-05:00</updated> <title>2024 NCAA Tournament Round of 64: K-State vs Portland</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Jaelyn Glenn #3 and Brylee Glenn #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats look on during a stop in play in the second half of a game against the BYU Cougars at Bramlage Coliseum on January 27, 2024 in Manhattan, Kansas." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WjurJTJ4il8VnSesidHZmUe8MDk=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73226690/1970253825.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>The 4-seed Wildcats take on the 13-seed Pilots in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament</p> <p id="SKPZlz">Welcome to the 2024 NCAA Women’s Tournament!</p><p id="38Sknb">This has been the expectation for this <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State</a> program all season. Not only return to the Big Dance, but host the opening rounds. After finishing with a 25-7 overall record and a 13-5 finish in the Big 12, the Cats earned a 4-seed and with it earned the right to host.</p><p id="DxbT9S">Hosting is a big deal — it’s big for K-State and Manhattan on many levels. On the basketball side, it gives the MittieCats a huge boost from a friendly crowd, in a facility where the Cats went 15-1 this season, and no lag at all from travel. It also helps set-up the Wildcats to do something they haven’t done in 22 years: advance to the Sweet 16.</p><p id="idYHux">But first, they have to get through today’s game with a win. They face the Portland Pilots, who went 21-12 overall and 10-6 in the West Coast Conference, and won three straight games in the conference tournament to earn the WCC’s auto-bid. The Pilots are making just their seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament, but their second straight after also earning their spot last season. The Pilots play really good defense, but their offense sputters at times. They managed to knock off Gonzaga, right with K-State in the rankings and a fellow 4-seed, 67-66 in the WCC championship game, but had been blown out by the Zags in their two regular season matchups.</p><p id="Ge6GpP">On paper, this is a game K-State should win easily, especially with a healthy Ayoka Lee. But expect the Pilots to grind it out and try to stay in the game, and they’ll be able to if they can force K-State into mistakes. K-State just needs to play its game its way, and they should be able to keep dancing.</p><p id="wq5oAp">This afternoon’s tipoff in the Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament is at 3:30pm CT from Bramlage Colisuem, and can be seen on ESPNews (<a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/b49d2eac-ce23-4b80-a06a-7479dcc5f2a3">WatchESPN</a>) with Brenda VanLengen (play-by-play) and Holly Warlick (analyst) on the call. You can also listen to Brian Smoller (play-by-play) and Kristin Waller (analyst) call the action online at <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/live">K-StateSports.com</a> and <a href="https://thevarsitynetwork.com/audioapplink/source/kansas-state-university:oas-1358/content/kstate:allaccess-Live-5732">via </a><a href="https://thevarsitynetwork.com/audioapplink/source/kansas-state-university:oas-1358/content/kstate:allaccess-Live-5672">the</a><a href="https://thevarsitynetwork.com/audioapplink/source/kansas-state-university:oas-1358/content/kstate:allaccess-Live-5678"> Varsity Network app</a>, as well as over-the-air in the Manhattan area on Sunny 102.5 FM and on KMAN (1350AM, 93.3/93.7FM).</p><p id="q9u8nO"><strong>Go Cats!</strong></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/3/22/24108635/2024-ncaa-womens-tournament-kansas-state-vs-portland-college-basketball-game-thread"/> <id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/3/22/24108635/2024-ncaa-womens-tournament-kansas-state-vs-portland-college-basketball-game-thread</id> <author> <name>JT VanGilder</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-03-19T22:56:48-05:00</published> <updated>2024-03-19T22:56:48-05:00</updated> <title>K-State Season Ends with 91-82 Loss to Iowa in NIT</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Iowa s Tony Perkins (11) and Pryce Sandfort (24) defend Kansas State s Tylor Perry (2) in a first-round NIT game Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kOkrnvMdy_d4rsDEoO9COxPO_D4=/0x0:4240x2827/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73219601/usa_today_22814355.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Tylor Perry had difficulty finding good looks in Iowa City, and when he did get shots, not many went down for him. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption> </figure> <p>Defense supposedly travels. It sure didn’t tonight.</p> <p id="XpaTdJ">K-State yielded 50 points to Iowa in the first half and never quite found the defense it needed to catch up in its 91-82 loss to Iowa in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nit-tournament">NIT</a> first round Tuesday night. </p><p id="01bPoG">With the loss the season comes to an end for the Wildcats, who finish the season at 19-15. We might have guessed this one would go poorly when the bracket was release. K-State’s road record was a ghastly 2-9. The Cats go home while Iowa (19-14) marches on.</p><p id="end0Py">The Cats kept it close early but never held the lead. Iowa’s margin never got larger than 13, and K-State was within four, 74-70, with 7:09 remaining. But a 7-0 Iowa run put Iowa ahead by 11, and after the run, the Wildcats never threatened.</p><p id="pyqkIu">If you are looking for bright spots in the detritus (as we have too often done, of late) there is this: Freshman guard Dai Dai Ames shot 6-8, including 4-5 from three-point range, and led K-State in scoring with 16 points. He also had 5 assists against only 2 turnovers. As a team, K-State surrendered the ball 13 times. Too many, though better than lots of nights this year.</p><p id="UCP8PI">Will McNair Jr. was his usual, efficient self, scoring 15 on 7-10, and he was co-leader with 7 rebounds. Too bad his eligibility is up. He had become a steady, reliable performer as the season progressed.</p><p id="tzE432">Cam Carter had 13, but on 5-14 shooting. David N’Guessan scored 12 on 5-6. But he was 2-7 at the line, including a succession of misses when K-State was on the cusp of making it a one-possession game.</p><p id="JsteMt">Tylor Perry had a forgettable conclusion to his short tenure in Manhattan, scoring 8 points on 2-13 (2-12 from deep) shooting.</p><p id="yToLoH">Free throw disparity tells part of the story, as Iowa went 22-30, while K-State managed only 8-16 at the stripe. The other part is 3-point shooting. K-State actually took and made more shots overall (33-69 Cats vs. 29-60 Hawkeyes), but Iowa made 11 of 23 threes, compared to 8 of 30 for the Wildcats.</p><p id="Z7ge6q">Coach Tang played the entire roster, and seldom-used Macaleab “Buddy” Rich dropped in 7 points and grabbed 5 boards before leaving with an apparent knee injury. Here is hoping its only a tweak, and he can get in the gym to develop his skills to take advantage of his massive athletic talent.</p><p id="OZHJoT">Iowa’s Payton Sandfort scored 22 first-half points on his way to 30 total. He shot 9-14, including 7-11 from deep, and also led Iowa with 12 rebounds by simply out-hustling everyone else on the floor. Ben Krikke scored 24 and had 11 rebounds.</p><p id="ISRYC7">So, the season that seemed an uphill fight the entire way comes to an end in an uphill ballgame. The roster has intriguing young pieces in Ames, RJ Jones, and Buddy Rich, and Kaluma and Jerrell Colbert, who showed signs of development, likely return next year, as well. So should Cam Carter, who was vastly improved this year but hit something of a wall late. Ques Glover, who suffered an injury before the season started, could seek a medical redshirt and would surely help with the turnover woes that plagued K-State more than any other problem this season. </p><p id="bkO8Ji">Sunrise Christian Academy guard David Castillo, a 4-star player on 247sports.com and ranked No. 7 nationally at the point position should add some dynamic playmaking ability out front. Stay tuned to find out what other new faces may join the Cats to try to improve upon this year’s disappointing outcome.</p><p id="3ghSNV"></p><p id="Amhei9"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/3/19/24106480/kansas-state-wildcats-iowa-hawkeyes-nit-k-state-season-ends-with-91-82-loss-to-iowa"/> <id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/3/19/24106480/kansas-state-wildcats-iowa-hawkeyes-nit-k-state-season-ends-with-91-82-loss-to-iowa</id> <author> <name>Luke Sobba</name> </author> </entry></feed> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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