Tag: Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State is ‘cautiously optimistic’ to play Oklahoma game, meet threshold as of Monday

Oklahoma was under the bullseye whenever Friday’s round of COVID-19 testing was conducted. It’s not on them for OU’s game this week.

Oklahoma was under the bullseye whenever Friday’s round of COVID-19 testing was conducted.

Big 12 teams need to have 53 scholarship players, seven offensive lineman, four interior defensive lineman and at least one quarterback available for a game. Anything that is under those thresholds can potentially postpone or cancel a game.

The Sooners had 20 players missing from their depth chart for the Missouri State game, so the fate of their game was in their hands. It doesn’t sound like that can be said for Oklahoma this week, but more so the opponent it is playing.

“We were excited because we were able to get 12 kids back on Monday after that (Arkansas State) game,” said Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman said on Monday during the Big 12 coaches teleconference. “Lo and behold, we’ve lost another 10 to (contact) tracing or a positive over the past week. So, you take two steps forward and you end up taking a step-and-a-half or two back.”

Klieman told the media that Kansas State had a number of players who played in the Arkansas State game who had not practiced for up to two weeks before it.

For practice, the Wildcats have attempted to get as much ‘good on good’ work as they can due to players coming in and out of practice due to COVID-19. They aren’t the only ones dealing with this as Lincoln Riley has showed his frustrations of it at Oklahoma.

But just how dire of a situation has it been for the Wildcats? Their scout team is having a hard time putting 11 guys on the field.

“Last week we broke off into scout teams and we had a tight end playing tackle, we had a fullback playing guard, and a defensive end playing the other tackle because we were just down that many numbers,” Klieman said. “That’s everybody. That’s not just Kansas State. I’m cautiously optimistic. We get a couple more kids back, but we have two more tests this week.”

So, it sounds like a waiting game is once again ahead for Oklahoma’s game against Kansas State on Saturday.

Klieman reiterated as such Monday.

“This week, once again we meet those thresholds to play as of Monday, or as of today,” he said. “I hope we can still meet them on Wednesday and Friday. Our kids want to play, whether we are down guys or not, our guys want to play, but we also have to make sure it’s safe for the guys that are out there.

“And I know that everybody is kind of waiting on a day-to-day basis and that’s the tricky part that all of us our dealing with.”

Oklahoma and Kansas State are scheduled to play at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma.

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Oklahoma opens up as four-touchdown favorites over Kansas State, per BetMGM

Oklahoma (1-0) is starting out conference play as major favorites. The Sooners are four-touchdown favorites over Kansas State on Saturday.

Oklahoma (1-0) is starting out conference play as major favorites.

The Sooners have won five-straight Big 12 Championships, but 2019 was one of their toughest roads yet. Oklahoma won four one-possession games in its final five of the regular season to win the Big 12 last season, but lost the game prior to that by one point to Kansas State in a shocking upset.

Lincoln Riley and the 2020 Sooners host the Wildcats on Saturday, and open up Big 12 play as 28.5-point favorites according to BetMGM.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.

Oklahoma got off to the right start this season with a comfortable 48-0 win over FCS Missouri State. Spencer Rattler made his debut, throwing for 290 yards and four touchdowns as Alex Grinch’s defense got off to an impressive start in year two of his defense.

Kansas State was a more than three touchdown underdog at home to Oklahoma a year ago. The Wildcats fended off an enormous comeback attempt from Jalen Hurts and the Sooners to win 42-41. It was Oklahoma’s only loss of 2019 until a loss to LSU in the College Football Playoff.

The Sooners and Kansas State kickoff at 11 a.m. CT in Norman, Oklahoma, on Saturday.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Texas Football: Holding steady in new USA TODAY Sports Top 76 rankings

In the latest top 76 rankings from Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports, the Longhorns are holding steady inside the top ten.

With college football season underway, rankings are a hot topic. Mostly among fans who want to brag about their team. Or use them to belittle your rivals. Either way they are a fun talking point, at least for the teams that will actually be playing in 2020. In the words of Alex Trebek, “let’s just take a look at the board.”

USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg was back on Tuesday with his Top 76 ranks. With 76 being the number of teams playing this season in the Bowl Subdivision (FBS) or Division I. One of the bigger jumps in this weeks rankings have the Texas A&M Aggies jumping up seven spots to leapfrog Texas into the top seven teams. Proving once again that they are without a doubt one of the most overrated teams in college football.

Big 12 Rankings

Team Ranking Change
Oklahoma 4 0
Texas 8 0
Oklahoma State 13 -1
Texas Christian 22 -1
Iowa State 24 -1
Kansas State 31 -1
West Virginia 34 +1
Texas Tech 42 0
Baylor 49 +1
Kansas 68 -1

Three members of the Big 12 Conference didn’t move at all with Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech. The Longhorns upcoming opponent the UTEP Miners moved up one spot to 75 after beating SFA. They are no longer ranked the worst FBS team currently playing football. Another school in the state, Texas-San Antonio assumes that mantle.

Following the upcoming weekend of games in the ACC and Big 12 Conferences, the top 76 should be mightily different this time next week.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

We have a forum and message board now. Get in on the conversation about Texas Longhorns athletics by joining the Longhorns Wire Forum.

College Football News Preview 2020: Kansas State Wildcats

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Kansas State Wildcats season with what you need to know

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Kansas State Wildcats season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Kansas State Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 8-5 overall, 5-4 in Big 12
Head Coach: Chris Klieman, 2nd year, 8-5 at KSU
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 32
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 41
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 31

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Kansas State Wildcats Offense 3 Things To Know

– The offense had its moments. The running game was okay, the passing attack was efficient, and … there wasn’t enough consistent scoring. The O fell flat early on in the Big 12, and it couldn’t come up with that one big drive in close losses to Texas, West Virginia and Navy. But as head coach Chris Klieman said from the start of his tenure last year, this is going to be a work in progress.

On the plus side, Kansas State started to do Kansas State things. It controlled the clock better than any team in the Big 12, the turnovers were kept to a bare minimum, and for the most part, it was able to keep things at its own pace.

Now it has to score more.

CFN in 60 Video: Kansas State Wildcats Preview
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– Skylar Thompson isn’t going to be a threat to break any passing records, but he’s a solid veteran who runs well, doesn’t throw a ton of picks, and can keep things moving. He’s the experience leader the offense needs, but the explosion has to be there from the receiving corps.

Leading target Dalton Schoen is done, but he only caught 37 passes. Malik Knowles is a decent veteran, and kick return superstar Josh Youngblood needs the ball in his hands more as a receiver. Five of the top six pass catchers are back – Thompson will spread it around.

– The offensive line is going to be the biggest early concern. Last year’s group loses four starters but gets back crushing left guard Josh Rivas. It’s going to be a young front five, and the backs it’ll be blocking for are even more inexperienced.

Former Louisville transfer Harry Trotter is the leading returning back, and Tyler Burns will be an early option in the rotation, but redshirt freshmen Joe Ervin and Jacardia Wright had the biggest upside.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Kansas State Wildcats Defense 3 Things To Know

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College Football News Preview 2020: Iowa State Cyclones

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Iowa State Cyclones season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Iowa State Cyclones season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Iowa State Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 7-6 overall, 5-4 in Big 12
Head Coach: Matt Campbell, 5th year, 26-25
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 33
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 63
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 29

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Iowa State Cyclones Offense 3 Things To Know

– The offense took things to another level with the passing game, and the team scored the most points in school history and more than 400 points for the first time since 2002.

And then things fizzled out, coming up with 17 in the loss to Kansas State and nine in the Camping World Bowl blowout loss to Notre Dame to close things out.

Brock Purdy is back after throwing for 3,982 yards and 27 touchdowns, bombing away for an attack that came up with two touchdown pass or more in nine of the first 11 games and hit the 300-yard mark seven times. He can run, too – he was second on the team with 249 yards and eight scores – but the high-powered offense will keep on bombing away.

Former star recruit Re-al Mitchell transferred to Temple, and the only other backups from last year’s team are walk-ons. Aidan Bouman and Hunter Dekkers were okay recruits who’ll need to be ready to go early on.

CFN in 60 Video: Iowa State Cyclones Preview
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– Leading receiver Deshaunte Jones is gone, but junior Charlie Kolar might be the Big 12’s best tight end. He’s coming off a 51-catch, seven-touchdown season, and 6-7, 245-pound senior Chase Allen isn’t a bad second option.

Tarique Milton averaged over 20 yards per catch, but the Cyclones need a few volume catchers to step up with Jones and La’Michael Pettway gone. Sophomore Sean Shaw caught five touchdown passes, and Landen Akers is a veteran in the system, but the nice recruits from last year’s class have to rise up, and 6-3, 200-pound JUCO transfer Xavier Hutchinson needs to become an instant factor.

– The running game is effective enough to get by, but it has to work. Iowa State was 0-5 last year when it ran for fewer than 100 yards, and is 0-8 over the last two seasons when it can’t get there.

6-1, 205-pound Breece Hall stepped in as a true freshman for David Montgomery and led the way with 897 yards and nine touchdowns, turning it on over the second half of the season. He’ll be the all-purpose back – he made 23 grabs – and the workhorse at times, but junior Johnnie Lang and senior Kene Nwangwu are veterans with starting experience that can be worked into the mix.

The O line, though, needs some work to make it all go. Four starters from the lend of last year are done, with only sophomore Trevor Downing returning to one guard spot. Junior Colin Newell will likely take over at center, and the cupboard isn’t bare to fill in the other spots, but it’s asking a lot to lead the Big 12 again in fewest sacks and tackles for loss allowed.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Iowa State Cyclones Defense 3 Things To Know

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Badger moments: Wisconsin reaches 2011 Sweet 16 by staying together

The Badgers persevere

The Wisconsin Badgers have a well-defined identity. It has existed for the past quarter of a century under three different coaches: Dick Bennett, Bo Ryan, and now Greg Gard.

That identity is rooted in unselfish team basketball, rugged and resilient and resourceful at both ends of the floor. Everyone sacrifices for the team. Everyone does what it takes to win without needing personal glory. Five as one. The Way.

This identity has been embodied by the many high-quality Wisconsin teams we have seen over the years, but one of its best examples — among many good ones — was the 2011 win over Kansas State which sent the Badgers to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2008.

At the heart of Wisconsin’s “all for one” team identity is the fact that the Badgers didn’t have the best player in this game against the Wildcats — not by a long shot — but they had the winning team.

Jacob Pullen almost carried Kansas State to the Final Four in 2010. Butler stopped him and KSU in the Elite Eight in Salt Lake City. Pullen had one more chance to make the Final Four in 2011, and he did his very best against the Badgers, scoring 38 points on 13-of-22 shooting.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin point guard Jordan Taylor — forced to defend Pullen — did not do well at the offensive end of the floor. The difficult nature of Taylor’s defensive assignment made it harder for him to function well on offense. Taylor was 2 of 16 from the field.

Purely going by statistics, shooting lines, and scoring totals, the point guard matchup in this game was a complete mismatch in favor of Kansas State.

Wisconsin won anyway.

The Badgers committed just five turnovers. They made 19 of 23 foul shots. They outscored Kansas State by 10 points — 15-5 — on the bench. They hit 9 of 20 3-pointers, even with Taylor having a rough game in Tucson at the McKale Center.

They did whatever it took.

Bo Ryan praised Taylor for holding the Badgers together, even though his own offense just wasn’t flowing:

“He was having a rough shooting night, but he was a taskmaster of his own skills and his own abilities,” Bo Ryan said. “He’s not going to throw the rest of it away simply because things have gotten away from him. He’s that dedicated to being the leader on this team on the floor.”

The non-Pullen Kansas State players scored a total of only 27 points in this game, going 9 of 26 from the field. Conversely, the non-Taylor Wisconsin players hit 19 of 34 shots and scored 58 points.

The team beat the individual. It was a classic Wisconsin win, and it delivered another Sweet 16 to the Badgers.

Badger moments: Wisconsin thumps Kansas State, makes 2008 Sweet 16

Wisconsin rolls

The Wisconsin Badgers were not the sexiest team in the 2008 NCAA Tournament subregional in Omaha. The top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks — the team which eventually won the 2008 national championship — were there in Nebraska. So were the USC Trojans and Kansas State Wildcats, who boasted two of the flashier and more impressive young players in the United States. Kansas State beat USC in round one, with Michael Beasley outdueling O.J. Mayo. When Kansas State advanced to play Wisconsin in round two, the national buzz flowed not to the third-seeded Badgers, who had won 24 of their last 26 games, but to the 11th-seeded Wildcats, because of Beasley’s electric game.

Wisconsin turned out the lights on the electricity, however, delivering a letter-perfect performance in a 72-55 win over Kansas State. Wisconsin, after two years removed from the party, returned to the Sweet 16, marking Bo Ryan’s third Sweet 16 in a span of six seasons (2003 through 2008).

How complete was Wisconsin’s performance? Start with the job it did on Beasley after halftime. Beasley scored just six points after the break. Wisconsin adjusted after Beasley torched the Badgers with 17 first-half points. Wisconsin wasn’t great on Beasley in all 40 minutes, but it was excellent for 20 of those minutes. UW did, however, demonstrate total control of all 40 minutes in another aspect of play: 3-point defense. Kansa State went 0 for 13 on threes, the first time in 349 games the Wildcats had failed to make a three. Wisconsin’s win was built primarily on the strength of its active perimeter movement, which suffocated Kansas State at every turn.

On offense, Greg Stiemsma had a career-high 14 points… and yet he was far from the main story for the Badgers. Michael Flowers had a quietly productive 15 points, and Trevon Hughes had a star turn with 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 4 of 9 on 3-pointers.

“Today, this felt good, the ball in my hand,” Hughes said. “Any given day I feel like anybody on this team could go out there and score 20 points.”

Hughes’ heroics plus dynamic 3-point defense and a strong second-half response to Michael Beasley all did the job for Wisconsin, solidifying the Badgers’ status as a Sweet 16 program in the upper tier of national college basketball.

2020 Big 12 College Basketball Tournament odds and betting futures

Analyzing the 2020 Big 12 Tournament odds and futures, with sports betting picks, tips and best bets.

The 2020 Big 12 Conference Tournament kicks off Wednesday at Sprint Center in Kansas City. The tournament features two matchups Wednesday, and four battles Thursday. The Kansas Jayhawks secured the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, and a handful of teams are in good shape for at-large bids whether they win the tourney or not, while others need a deep run. Below, we look at the futures odds to win the Big 12 tournament.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, March 11 at 10:45 a.m. ET.

2020 Big 12 odds: Kansas Jayhawks (+105)

Regular-season record: (28-3, 17-1 Big 12)

The Jayhawks enter the tourney as the hottest team in the conference, winners of 16 in a row. They’re also a very impressive 7-2 ATS across their past nine outings, so remember that as you bet single games through the postseason. Kansas is likely to land as one of the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament barring an absolute disaster in their first game in this tournament.

Get some action on this event or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Kansas will be challenged by Baylor, a team they split with during the regular season. They won in Waco against the Bears 64-61 Feb. 22, so if they match up in the Final, expect to sweat out every minute. They’ll have a pro-Jayhawks crowd filling the seats in Kansas City, so that adds to their chances.

The FAVORITE IS WORTH A BET AT +105, as the Jayhawks are on a tear right now.

2020 Big 12 odds: Baylor Bears (+315)

Regular-season record: (26-4, 15-3 Big 12)

The Bears looked like they were a slam-dunk No. 1 seed for most of the season, but they faltered down the stretch, going 2-3 straight up and 1-4 against the spread, losing to Kansas, at TCU and at West Virginia in the final month. As such, they’re not nearly as strong of a play as the favored Jayhawks. In fact, it’s Kansas, and then the drop-off is precipitous.

If you pick two teams to play, BAYLOR IS WORTH A SMALL-UNIT BET AT +315, but they’re playing their worst ball of the season.

2020 Big 12 odds: West Virginia Mountaineers (+375)

Regular-season record: (21-10, 9-9 Big 12)

The Mountaineers humbled Baylor 76-63 in the regular-season finale March 7, bouncing back after a late three-game skid, and a 1-6 SU stretch between Feb. 8-29. Their late-season swoon really makes this a wide-open tourney, especially if Kansas somehow stumbles. Still, the Mountaineers were really bad down the stretch, and they played .500 ball in the conference. There’s not much value at this price. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: Texas Tech Red Raiders (+800)

Regular-season record: (18-13, 9-9 Big 12)

The Red Raiders gave Kansas a scare in the regular-season finale, but they dropped each of their past four to go from an NCAA Tournament certainly to a bubble team in need of some quality wins. They got hot last season en route to their first-ever Final Four. Can they do it again? A four-game skid to close out the season suggests otherwise. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: Oklahoma Sooners (+1600)

Regular-season record: (19-12, 9-9 Big 12)

The Sooners might be the best value on the entire board. Some talking heads have them projected as a 9-seed for the NCAA Tournament, but they will likely breathe easier on Selection Sunday with a win or two in this tournament. Like Baylor, Texas Tech and West Virginia, the Sooner had their issues down the stretch. They lost three in a row from Feb. 15-22, although two of those losses were to Baylor and Kansas, so there’s no shame in that.

A SMALL-UNIT PLAY TO WIN THE BIG 12 AT +1600 IS A GREAT VALUE. Their defense ranks 36th in the country with a 39.9 defensive field-goal percentage. They’re also 20th in the nation in free-throw percentage at 76.6.

2020 Big 12 odds: Texas Longhorns (+4000)

Regular-season record: (19-12, 9-9 Big 12)

The Longhorns looked to be rolling into the postseason, winning and covering five in a row from Feb. 19-March 3; however, they were smashed 81-59 at home by a mediocre Oklahoma State team, casting doubt on their viability and landing them right back on the bubble in need of two wins to realistically have a shot at the NCAA Tournament, if not an overall win. Confidence is low, as they were swept by Baylor, swept by Kansas and went 1-1 against Texas Tech and West Virginia. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: TCU Horned Frogs (+4500)

Regular-season record: (16-15, 7-11 Big 12)

The Horned Frogs were a thorn in people’s sides down the stretch, and they even beat Baylor Feb. 29 by a 75-72 count in Fort Worth. They were 2-4 SU/3-3 ATS in their final six games, and they lost two games to Kansas by a total of 23 points, showing they have nothing for the top seed. They also had an ugly 46-point loss at Texas Tech Feb. 10 which sticks out like a sore thumb. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: Oklahoma State Cowboys (+12500)

Regular-season record: (17-14, 7-11 Big 12)

The Cowboys finished with three wins to close out the regular season, hotter than any lower seed. In a wide-open Big 12, they have just as good of a chance as any to run to the Final, but can they beat Kansas? They lost by 15 and 25 to the Jayhawks, and were swept by Baylor by a total of 15 points. They were also pounded by West Virginia in two games by an average of 16 points. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: Kansas State Wildcats (+15000)

Regular-season record: (10-21, 3-15 Big 12)

K-State lost 10 straight games from Feb. 1 to March 4 before winning the final against Iowa State. Nothing to see here. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: Iowa State Cyclones (+20000)

Regular-season record: (12-19, 5-13 Big 12)

The Cyclones dropped 10 of their final 13 contests, and they were 1-5 ATS in their final six, so remember that for their first-round matchup. I-State lost two games to Kansas by a total of 46 points, two to Baylor by a total of 27, etc. No chance the Cyclones find any magic. AVOID.

Want some action on this tournament? Place a bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Vegas Odds: Who will win Big 12 men’s basketball tournament

The Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament will begin on Wednesday evening for the men. The latest Vegas odds on who will get the automatic bid.

The Phillips 66 Big 12 men’s basketball tournament officially tips off on Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm CST with the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Iowa State Cyclones in the first round. That game will be followed with the Kansas State Wildcats and Texas Christian Horned Frogs. Each winner will move on to the quarterfinals to take on Kansas and Baylor.

The winner of the tournament will earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Here is how BetMGM see it shaking out. No shock on who Vegas has the top team heading into the Big 12 tournament that will conclude on Saturday March 14th at 5:00 PM CST. The game will air on ESPN.

Tournament Odds:

  • Kansas Jayhawks (+105)
  • Baylor Bears (+225)
  • West Virginia Mountaineers (+400)
  • Texas Tech Red Raiders (+800)
  • Oklahoma Sooners (+1300)
  • Texas Longhorns (+2000)
  • Texas Christian Horned Frogs (+4500)
  • Kansas State Wildcats (+10000)
  • Oklahoma State Cowboys (+12500)
  • Iowa State Cyclones (+20000)

 

 

(Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated 3/10 at 7:00 a.m. CST. )

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. 

 

Browns check out prospects at Kansas State pro day

The Cleveland Browns were among the NFL teams in attendance for the Kansas State Wildcat pro day

The pro day circuit for college programs spotlighting their prospective NFL talents is kicking off in earnest over the next few days. One of the first big programs to host a pro day is Kansas State.

The Cleveland Browns are among more than a dozen NFL teams confirmed in attendance in Manhattan. Kansas State doesn’t have any high-level prospects in 2020; no Wildcat players were invited to the recent scouting combine. However, the Wildcat program consistently churns out NFL talent and has a few players that could interest the Browns late on Day 3 or as priority free agents following the draft.

Kansas State prospects to know:

  • Offensive tackle Scott Frantz
  • RB James Gilbert
  • Safety Denzel Goolsby
  • EDGE Reggie Walker