No. 4 Kansas State Wildcats

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Last Season: 29-8, 11-5 (t-2nd Big XII), lost to Butler in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament

Head Coach: Frank Martin

Key Losses: Denis Clemente, Dominique Sutton, Luis Colon

Newcomers: Nino Jackson, Shane Southwell, Will Spradling, Freddy Asprilla, Juevol Myles, Devon Peterson

Projected Lineup:

• G: Jacob Pullen, Sr.
  
• G: Rodney McGruder, So.
  
• F: Jamar Samuels, Sr.
  
• F: Wally Judge, So.
  
• F: Curtis Kelly, Sr.
  
• Bench: Martavious Irving, So.; Nino Williams, Fr.; Shane Southwell, Fr.; Freddy Asprilla, Jr.; Jordan Henriquez-Roberts, So.
  

Outlook: Frank Martin has really done wonders for a Kansas State program that was defunct for a decade before Michael Beasley showed up in Manhattan. And now, coming off of their first trip to the Elite 8 in 22 years, the Wildcats are the consensus favorite to win what could end up being the toughest conference in college basketball.

It all starts with Jacob Pullen. We can argue about whether or not Pullen is the best guard in the country and whether or not he should be placed on the preseason all-american first team, but what we can't argue about is how far this kid has come since he was a freshman. I sincerely doubt I am alone in saying that I never expected Pullen to be this good. Heading into last season, the talk about the K-State back court seemed to center around the dynamic Denis Clemente, but after Pullen had a string of big games against impressive non-conference competition, that focus shifted. And deservedly so. Pullen is a big-time scorer and shooter with a penchant for coming through in the clutch. Kansas State is big and athletic along the front line this season, but when it comes to legitimate offensive threats, there is not much beyond Pullen. The ball is almost assuredly going to be in Pullen's hands for the majority of K-State's possessions. He'll need to improve his ability to create for his teammates and distribute the ball, but there is no reason that he cannot average 20+ ppg and 4 apg this season.

The issue is going to be who steps up alongside Pullen in the back court. Sophomore Rodney McGruder seems like the safe bet to start. He proved to be a threat from distance as a freshman, although he didn't play a ton of minutes or get a ton of shots. But he did have enough promise in high school to be ranked as a top 100 player. Martavious Irving is another sophomore that could earn some starts in the back court. Irving is more of a point guard than McGruder. Sophomores Nick Russell and Juevol Myles and freshman Will Spradling will provide some depth, while freshmen Nino Williams and Shane Southwell will allow Martin some versatility with his lineups, as both are bigger, more athletic wing players. It will be interesting to see who earns the minutes, but the Wildcats are going to need at least one kid from this group to step up this season.


While the back court has some issues behind Pullen, this year the K-State front court is loaded. It starts with Curtis Kelly, who was one of the more improved players in the country this past season. The 6'8" lefty has become a low-post scoring threat while also being the best rebounder on one of the best rebounding teams in the country, as well as a shot blocking threat. Jamar Samuels, the Wildcat's 6th man last season, will likely slide into the starting role at small forward. Samuels is a super-athletic senior that can knock down a three and is relentless going to the glass. The other front court starter should end up being Wally Judge, a 2009 McDonald's all-american. Judge got off to a slow start, but performed better down the stretch. With his size, length, and athleticism, its only a matter of time before he becomes a force on this team.

There's more. Jordan Henriquez-Roberts is a seven-foot sophomore that still needs to develop offensively, but he is ready to be a rebounder and a defender in the Big XII. Freddy Asprilla may be the x-factor on this team. At 6'10", 280 lb, Asprilla will be the biggest player on a big front line. He was a high-major recruit coming out of high school, but he ended up at Florida International. He averaged nearly a double-double as a freshman before transferring out of the program. He'll provide some muscle in the paint, and should be able to score and rebound effectively in the Big XII.

It will be more of the same from K-State this season. This is a team that is going to play physical, aggressive basketball. They are going to crash the offensive glass, and they are going to be in your jock defensively for 40 minutes, both of which will provide easy baskets for them. I expect both Kelly and Samuels to be improved this season, which will help offset the loss of Clemente's scoring.

The biggest concern I have is in the back court. Can anyone else be a capable ball handler? Are there any other reliable shot creators? Jacob Pullen is a horse, and he can carry this team, but if no one else steps up I worry that he will be worn down at the end of games and by the end of the season.