Both basketball teams are set to continue Big 12 Conference play this week after falling in their most recent games. The track and field teams also compete for the first time in over a month on Saturday.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
After winning four out of the last five games heading into last weekend, the men’s basketball team suffered a 67-60 defeat at the hands of TCU, getting back into Big 12 Conference play on the wrong foot. Up next for the Wildcats are two teams that also met over the weekend, No. 13 Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
While both teams are in the bottom half of the Big 12 standings with conference records of 1-2, they both still have solid records overall. Texas Tech sits at 8-3 and Oklahoma State holds a record of 7-2.
A trip to Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday is first for the Wildcats this week, visiting the No. 13 Red Raiders who just lost an overtime heartbreaker to Oklahoma State.
Texas Tech is fronted by the dangerous duo of junior guard Mac McClung and sophomore guard Terrence Shannon Jr. who lead the team in points per game — McClung with 15 per game and Shannon with 13 per game. The Red Raiders also have big man senior forward Marcus Santos-Silva down low who leads the team in blocks (16) and rebounds (74).
The game against the Red Raiders is set to tip off at 6 p.m. on ESPNU.
After the showdown with the No. 13-ranked team in the nation, Kansas State returns home to take on Oklahoma State inside Bramlage Coliseum on Saturday night. The Cowboys come off of a big upset victory over Texas Tech on Saturday. Oklahoma State plays at home against West Virginia at 8 p.m. on Monday before it takes on the Wildcats.
Oklahoma State found success this season thanks to freshman phenom Cade Cunningham. The guard overwhelmingly leads the team in points per game, averaging 18.4 points. The Cowboys were undefeated headed into the start of Big 12 play, before losing heartbreakers to TCU (77-76) and No. 8 Texas (77-74).
The game between the Cowboys and Wildcats tips off at 5 p.m. on either ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.
Related:
DaJuan Gordon scores career-high 18 points in Wildcat loss to TCU at home
TRACK AND FIELD
The track and field team started its season a little under a month ago with a record-breaking performance by senior Tejaswin Shankar in the Carol Robinson Winter Pentathlon. In all, 10 athletes took first place in the K-State Winter Invitational. On Saturday, the Wildcats continue their indoor season with the Wildcat Invitational at Ahearn Field House.
At the time of publication, the start time, as well as the opponents appearing in the meet, remain uncertain.
The last time K-State hosted the Wildcat Invitational both the men’s and women’s teams won 20 individual events and swept North Texas, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, UMKC and Langston.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The women’s basketball team (5-4) paused all team activities because of recent COVID-19 problem. Due to the pause, the Wildcats’ game with West Virginia (7-2) on Tuesday was postponed.
At the moment, the Wildcats’ next scheduled game is set for Sunday afternoon in Waco, Texas, against No. 7 Baylor (8-1).
The Bears enter this week on a six-game winning streak after taking down TCU 74-50 on Saturday afternoon, but will face their toughest competition yet on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against No. 4 Connecticut (6-0) at home. Baylor scored over 100 points twice this season thanks to four players who average double-digit scoring.
Leading those four players is junior forward NaLyssa Smith who averages 17.3 points per game and also leads the team in rebounds (9.6 per game) and total blocks with 11. Sunday’s game — if K-State can field a team — is set to tip off at 2 p.m. on the K-State Sports Network.
