Kansas State Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Recap

2010-2011 Record: 23-11

Big 12 Conference Record (Standing) 10-6 (4^th)

Our Preseason Predictions:

Joe: 2nd in the Big 12

Evan:1st in the Big 12

Matt: 1st in the Big 12

Season MVP: Jacob Pullen (Senior)

While he may not have had quite the season to live up to the Preseason All-American hype, Pullen finished out his career in solid fashion. For the season he averaged 20.2 points per game and he was the epicenter for the KSU offense, in addition to his offensive game Pullen played solid on the ball defense as well. He saved his best games for possibly the Wildcats two biggest contests of the season. In a home game against Kansas in mid-February he scored a career high 38 points and then in his final game during the NCAA Tournament against Wisconsin he almost single handily led KSU to a victory as he scored 38 points again. No other player in the Big 12 will be as sorely missed for one team as Pullen will be for the Wildcats.

Season Recap:

The 2010-2011 season for K-State can really only be described by a cliché, it was a roller-coaster ride. Too high of expectations put a burden on K-State early and when the team struggled the grumbling and disappointment came out in full force. In season suspensions of Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly just before the UNLV game (a loss) did not help the cause. Following a 1-4 start in conference play the Wildcats changed their offense and combined with Pullen and Kelly back contributing finished the year on a strong note. While they did not reach the heights expected of them it turned out to be a solid season in Manhattan as the Wildcats once again had a bye in the Big 12 tournament and won an NCAA Tournament game. The biggest possible disappointment of the year may have been not being able to beat Colorado once in three opportunities.

2011-2012 Outlook:

The Wildcats will be like a lot of college programs next year as some players are going to need to step up and evolve from role players into something more. The loss of Pullen creates a scoring void along with someone who could be counted on to take the shot when the shot clock was winding down. The person who will be most counted on next season is Rodney McGruder who started every game as sophomore this year and averaged a solid 11.1 points per game. He will need to be a more consistent scorer next year. Another player who will be counted on heavily will be Jamar Samuels who had a disappointing season this year. A look at the rest of the roster shows many returning players coming back but no true superstar possibilities. KSU welcomes back a glut of guards in Will Spradling, Martavious Irving, Devon Peterson, Shane Southwell, Nick Russell and Nino Williams. Out of that group Spradling is the most likely choice to take over the point guard responsibilities but he might get a challenge from incoming recruit Angel Rodriguez from Miami whom according to rumors, Frank Martin is very fond of.  Currently the Wildcats look thin in the frountcourt as only Jordan Henriquez-Roberts and Samuels return from last year. The Wildcats have two post players in this years recruiting class in 7'0" center Adrian Diaz and 6'7" PF Thomas Gipson. While Gipson may get an opportunity to get some minutes Diaz is listed at only 205 lbs so it may be wishful thinking to think he can bang in the Big 12 at this point in time. At this point in time the Wildcats will definitely be under the radar for next season in comparison to this past year. Also at this time it appears Frank Martin will not be leaving K-State so that is a good sign for this club.

See our schedule for Season Recaps after the Jump.

Tuesday, April 5    Baylor Season Recap
Wednesday, April 6    Colorado Season Recap   
Friday, April 8    Iowa State Season Recap   
Monday, April 11    Kansas Season Recap   
Monday, April 11    K-State Season Recap   
Tuesday, April 12    Mizzou Season Recap   
Wednesday, April 13    Nebraska Season Recap   
Thursday, April 14    Oklahoma Season Recap   
Friday, April 15    Oklahoma State Season Recap   
Monday, April 18    Texas Tech Season Recap   
Tuesday, April 19    Texas A&M Season Recap   
Wednesday, April 20    Texas Season Recap