Welcome back to Kansas State basketball!
Of course, tonight isn’t quite the “real thing” just yet, as we’ve got one exhibition game on tap before we get the regular season started in earnest a week from tonight. But it’s still great getting basketball back in action in some form, even as we continue to revel in the glory of the football team’s continued dominance in the state of Kansas.
Tonight’s exhibition foe is Fort Hays State. The last time these two teams met on the hardwood, it was in the Season That Doesn’t Count Because Things Were Awful (2020-21), and a thing happened that I’m sure you’ve all forgotten by now. No? Well, sorry. The last time these two squads met in exhibition play was a day over seven years ago, Oct. 28, 2017, a game the Wildcats won 79-56 before embarking on a season that wouldn’t end until the Elite Eight against a team propped up by dark magic a nun. So this could be a weird season.
The Wildcats return … :checks notes: … three players from last year’s squad that fell in the first round of the NIT. David N’Guessan, Taj Manning, and Macaleab “Buddy” Rich are joined by 11 newcomers to the roster, including star HS recruit David Castillo as well as star transfer Coleman Hawkins. Expect to see a LOT of different lineups tonight, lots of rotations, and no clear idea how good (or bad) this team could be. Seriously, do not expect to learn much of anything tonight.
Just enjoy that basketball is back; and hopefully nothing bad happens tonight.
We’ve got an 7:00pm CT tipoff for tonight’s exhibition action from Bramlage Coliseum, and you can catch the action on Big 12 Now / WatchESPN with Ben Boyle (play-by-play), Stan Weber (analyst), and Hannah Whetstone (sideline reporter) on the call.
If you don’t can’t access the stream, the game can be heard across portions of the 28-station K-State Sports Network with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play) and Matt Walters (analyst) calling the action. The game will also be available online at K-Statesports.com and via the Varsity Network app. Live stats are also available at k-statesports.com, and social media updates (@KStateMBB) will also be a part of the coverage.
Go Cats!
