***The Official EMAW Repository thread***

[Saulbadguy]

I know there are enough of us to participate in this thread, even when our seasons inevitably go to shit.

KSU vs Western Illinois today, tip-off at 3:00 pm.

One thing I noticed near the end of the game on Friday night - we had 5 true freshman on the court, and still played sound basketball. None of them were scrub walk-ons either. While I don't think we will make a serious run at anything this year, the foundation is being laid for a solid program in the future.

[alnorth]

Wow, don't look now but the computers absolutely love K-State. Remember those years when KSU would have a halfway-decent W/L record but got shut out because of the RPI? Yeah. That wont happen this year.

Even if they lose a few more games in the conference than their fans might want, their extremely tough non-conference schedule gives them extra margin of error that they just didn't have in previous seasons.

RPI Rankings:
1. Duke (8-1) - Strength of Schedule #1
2. Kansas State (8-1) - SoS #4
...
5. Texas (8-0) - SoS #44
18. Texas A&M (7-2) - SoS #16
21. Kansas (9-0) - SoS #129
26. Texas Tech (9-0) - SoS #146
31. Oklahoma State (7-1) - SoS #101
71. Baylor (6-1) - SoS #198
142. Oklahoma (7-3) - SoS #241
148. Iowa State (7-3) - SoS #235
151. Nebraska (7-2) - SoS #322
161. Missouri (6-3) - SoS #251
239. Colorado (4-4) - SoS #275

Couple notes: KU's SoS will improve, they have all their most difficult non-con games in late December and early January this year.

The Big 12 conference RPI is spectacular this year at a solid #3. They might not catch the Big East, but they could pass the ACC if they continue to win in December. This should easily be a 5-bid season, perhaps even 6.

[Saulbadguy]

I think if we can beat Alabama, an 8-8 record in the Big XII would have us at a 8 or 9 seed. We'd still need a signature win in the Big XII, but with KU, UT and A&M visiting Manhattan I think we can get one of those.

[Saulbadguy]

Jacob Pullen Big XII POTW. EMAW.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jacob Pullen, Kansas State, G, Jr., 6-6, 209, San Antonio, Texas/Patterson School [N.C.]
Pullen averaged 22.0 points as Kansas State extended its win streak to six games with victories over Xavier (71-56) and at No. 18/17 UNLV (95-80). The junior guard connected on 48.1 percent (13-of-27) of his shots, including 9-of-17 (.529) from 3-point range. He started the week by scoring 14 of his team-high 16 points in the second half against the Musketeers in 24 minutes of action. Pullen then followed with 28 points versus the nationally-ranked Rebels, including a career-best 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. The seven 3-pointers tied for the fourth-most in school history. Pullen also had seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in his two outings, while connecting on 9-of-14 from the free throw line.

They got his information wrong, though. He isn't 6-6, he isn't 209 lbs and he isn't from San Antonio, Texas and did not play prep ball at the Patterson School.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

That's good news to offset the disappointing news that Brandon Banks was charged with battery and possession over the weekend.

Not sure who would admit they got beaten by a midget, but whatever. Will probably hurt whatever small chances he had of getting picked up in the NFL for return duties.

[Brock]

Thug program

[sedated]

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

I think if we can beat Alabama, an 8-8 record in the Big XII would have us at a 8 or 9 seed. We'd still need a signature win in the Big XII, but with KU, UT and A&M visiting Manhattan I think we can get one of those.

with how good KSU has looked so far, I'm hoping an 8 or 9 seed isn't the expectation.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by Brock

Thug program

I'll take that as a compliment.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by sedated

with how good KSU has looked so far, I'm hoping an 8 or 9 seed isn't the expectation.

They have looked good, but not great. Struggled vs FHSU, UNLV, Dayton and Xavier may not be all that great, too early to tell.

[alnorth]

AP poll is out, K-State is #17

[kstater]

Originally Posted by alnorth

AP poll is out, K-State is #17

Damn, about 5 spots higher than I expected.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

They have looked good, but not great. Struggled vs FHSU, UNLV, Dayton and Xavier may not be all that great, too early to tell.

Xavier beat Cincinnati last night.

[kstater]

UNLV dropped all the way out of the polls.

[alnorth]

#22 in the coaches poll. Kinda rare and weird to have a 5-spot spread in the polls. This usually only happens when you have a situation like this where a team quietly notches some really impressive victories. Usually the sportswriters have been following along and the coaches havent really heard of them yet because they are a bit busy with their day jobs.

[Saulbadguy]

Highest we've been ranked since 1988.

Coincidentally, the best team we've had since the 80's.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by alnorth

#22 in the coaches poll. Kinda rare and weird to have a 5-spot spread in the polls. This usually only happens when you have a situation like this where a team quietly notches some really impressive victories. Usually the sportswriters have been following along and the coaches havent really heard of them yet because they are a bit busy with their day jobs.

Seth Davis and Gary Parrish both were talking about KSU before the UNLV win - many had them ranked in their own polls so i'd think that is pretty accurate.