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September 15th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Kansas
State Wildcats
Overall Rank:
#57
Conference
Rank: #7 Big 12
2005-06:
15-13, 6-10, 7th (t)
2005-06
postseason: none
 It
didn’t take long for new coach Bob Huggins to put his stamp on
the Kansas State
program. And what a difference a coach like Huggins makes. For
the first time in a long, long time the Wildcats are beginning
to have preseason expectations.
Who’s Out:
Center Tyler Hughes was dismissed from the squad after averaging
1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game off the bench last year.
Dramane Diarra started 27 games last season at forward and
averaged 5.2 points and 5.3 boards during his senior campaign.
Little used forwards Mark Frederick and Kyle Taylor have also
run out of eligibility. Curtis Allen and Mario Taybron are
transferring out and little used Josh Campbell and Schyler
Thomas have wrapped up their careers at Kansas State.
Who’s In:
The
frontcourt will find some help with Jason Bennett and Luis
Colon. Bennett, at 7-3, is the tallest player in K-State
history and will be a defensive presence as a freshman. Bennett
can play facing the basket and his size will be an asset. His
post moves need some work, but there is plenty of potential for
a big freshman season. Colon is a solid shot blocker and
rebounder and is expected to develop into a quality option off
the bench or compete for the starting gig at the power forward
spot. Blake Young, a transfer from Daytona Beach Community
College in Florida, will see significant minutes at the one and
two spots. One of the top rated juco’s in the nation, Young is
a tremendous scorer and averaged 23.4 points last year. Point
guard Ray Brewer will add some depth at that position and
walk-on Ryan Patzwald will join the team for the 2006-2007
campaign.
Who to Watch:
The
two guard spots will be filled by Young and returnees Clent
Stewart, Lance Harris and Akeem Wright. Stewart is not a
prolific scorer, but after two years of effectively running the
KSU offense, he will be looked to once again for leadership.
Harris is an experienced shooting guard, averaging 10.7 points
per game last year. However, Harris might be forced to work off
the bench for his senior campaign. Wright proved to be quite
effective during his first season in Manhattan. He is a solid
rebounder and will battle for the starting shooting guard spot.
Final
Projection:
The status of
Cartier Martin is uncertain after being suspended indefinitely
by the school. Even without the 18.0 points per game, the
Wildcats are deep at the small forward spot. David Hoskins
averaged 13.1 points and 4.6 rebounds as a junior, but either
Hoskins or Martin are likely to see most of their minutes at the
four. The talent on the wings is extraordinary, but the
experience up front is an issue and the newcomers will have to
adjust quickly. If that happens, Coach Huggins will have KSU in
the NCAA for the first time since 1996.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected
Starting Five:
Clent Stewart,
Junior, Guard, 4.6 points per game
Akeem Wright,
Senior, Guard, 6.2 points per game
Cartier Martin,
Senior, Guard, 18.0 points per game
David Hoskins,
Junior, Guard, 13.1 points per game
Jason Bennett,
Freshman, Center, DNP last season
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