Kansas State Vs. Colorado: Cats Try For Back to Back Conference Road Wins

The traveling show that is the Kansas State Wildcat basketball team invades Boulder tonight to take on a struggling Buff basketball team.

The Wildcats never really lost Curtis Kelly but it almost feels like to everyone that he is being welcomed back to the team for this game. He is essential for K-State not just for their season but especially for this game with the lack of inside presence that CU presents.

With Kelly, Jamar Samuels and Jordan Henriquez-Roberts the Wildcats should have the rebounding advantage over CU this time around. In the first game between these two teams, Colorado outrebounded KSU by a margin of 38-29.  The only problem with being able to rebound is the other team has to miss for this to happen.

The last time CU played K-State, Levi Knutson did not miss many as he was red hot from three point range. Alec Burks and Cory Higgins both figure to have better games this time around as they were held to 12 and 9 points respectively.

The loss of Freddy Asprilla and Wally Judge has depleted the interior depth for Frank Martin and caused him to change the way K-State plays at times. Lately the Wildcats have been going with a guard heavy look while moving Rodney McGruder, who is a strong rebounder, from a guard position to a forward spot. 

This game represents a chance for Colorado, 15-10 overall and 4-6 in conference, to correct their recent struggles and get back into postseason contention.

K-State, winners of two straight league games and sitting at 16-8 overall look to move their Big 12 mark to 5-5 and improve their chances at a return to the NCAA Tournament. While a loss isn't the end of the world, K-State would then be looking at having to upset Kansas next Monday night to give themselves a realistic chance of being an at large team.

Tip Time is set for 8 P.M. Central and the game can be seen on ESPNU.