Clemente difficult to replace

Now that the K-State men's basketball season is over, the avid K-State sports fan is faced with three options.

Some will focus immediately on spring football, analyzing every word that comes out of Bill Snyder's mouth and staring blankly at the roster, trying to mentally put together a two-deep depth chart. These fans are undoubtedly looking toward the Spring Game to get their first glimpse of the Wildcat football team.

Others will head to Tointon Family Stadium to watch the K-State baseball team try and build upon another great start to the season. The Wildcats have already amassed a 19-3 record and are a perfect 3-0 in conference play for the first time in the Big 12 era. These fans will sing "Take me out to the ball game" in the middle of the seventh inning and will probably sing along to a pre-recorded rendition of the K-State fight song as well.

The final group of sports fans will do what they've done the last few years in mid-March: look at the K-State men's basketball roster and figure out what next season's team will look like. These fans scour the message boards for recruiting tidbits and are all wondering the same thing right now, namely, who will replace the scoring and leadership hole left by graduating senior point guard Denis Clemente?

One logical choice to replace Clemente at point guard is Jacob Pullen. The junior started his career as a point guard, finding minutes in a reserve role as a freshman. He could move back to that position and ultimately find success. However, it's worth noting that Pullen emerged as a true scorer and defensive force at the shooting guard position, not the point. While he is capable of running the offense, many times freshman Martavious Irving would come in and run the point in Clemente's place, not Pullen.

Another option up front would be Irving, who emerged as the first guard off the bench because of his defensive capabilities. While he isn't perfect - it was always easy to hear Coach Martin yelling his name after a mistake - he has room for improvement and wouldn't miss a step defensively, which Martin values more than scoring. Also in the mix are freshmen Nick Russell and Rodney McGruder. Russell is a true point guard and has played there sparingly all season. McGruder is more of a wing player and would likely see time at the shooting guard position if Pullen moved over to the point.

The final, and I believe most likely, option is to utilize K-State's final scholarship on a junior college player who could come in and contribute immediately. Nothing against Irving or Russell, but they might not have seen enough minutes this season to jump into a starting role next season as sophomores. A juco transfer would have two years of playing experience and would be more used to the rigorous style that Martin demands.

Perhaps the best aspect of this season's Elite Eight appearance is the possibility that next year's team - barring a Jacob Pullen NBA-draft nightmare - could be even better than this squad. However, replacing the point guard on a team is never easy and Clemente's replacement will have big shoes to fill.