**********OU-Kansas State Game Thread**********

[OUHoops]

http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=209371462

QUICK PREVIEW
Ranked in the AP poll for the first time since Nov. 23, 2009, No. 25 Oklahoma (13-3, 2-1) plays at Kansas State (12-4, 2-1) Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT in Manhattan, Kan. The game will feature a significant contrast in styles. The Sooners lead the Big 12 (rank fifth nationally) in scoring offense (87.0 ppg) but rank last in the Big 12 in scoring defense (79.2 ppg). The Wildcats lead the league in scoring defense (59.8 ppg) but rank last in scoring offense (67.2 ppg). OU is coming off an 87-82 home win over No. 9/7 and previously unbeaten Iowa State on Saturday, while K-State had its 10-game winning streak ended in an 86-60 loss at No. 18/20 Kansas.

ON THE AIR
Tuesday’s contest will air on the Sooner Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM "The Franchise" in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa) with Toby Rowland and Mike Houck calling the action. The game will be televised by ESPN2 with Dave Flemming and Miles Simon announcing.

PREVIEWING KANSAS STATE
Picked fifth with Oklahoma in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll, Kansas State (12-4, 2-1) began the year with a 2-3 record before reeling off 10 straight wins and jumping into last week’s AP poll at No. 25. The Wildcats, who had their win streak halted by Kansas on Saturday by an 86-60 score, are one of the league’s top defensive clubs. They lead the conference in scoring defense (59.8 ppg) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.264), and rank fifth in field goal percentage defense (.404). Conversely, K-State ranks last in the league in scoring offense (67.2 ppg), field goal percentage (.421) and 3-point field goal percentage (.296), and ninth in free throw percentage (.646).

Guard Marcus Foster is one of the Big 12’s top freshmen and is one of three Wildcats averaging double figures in points. Foster scores a team-high 13.7 points a contest and also averages 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting .355 from 3-point range (team-high 33 makes). He has reached double digits in points in 13 of 16 games. Junior forward Thomas Gipson averages 11.8 points and a team-high 6.3 rebounds an outing, and is shooting a team-best .602 from the field. Over the last four games he is averaging 12.8 points and 7.8 boards while shooting .645. Senior guard Shane Southwell contributes 10.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and a team-high 3.2 assists per game. After averaging 20.0 points in K-State’s final two pre-conference games, he is averaging 7.3 points in three Big 12 contests.

Kansas State is under the direction of head coach Bruce Weber, who is in his second season with the Wildcats (39-12 record). Last season’s Big 12 Coach of the Year, Weber is in his 16th year as a head coach (also coached at Southern Illinois and Illinois).

THE SERIES
Oklahoma owns a 104-93 all-time record against Kansas State and has won 11 of the last 17 meetings, although the Wildcats swept the two-game series last year. The Sooners are 36-56 all-time in Manhattan (5-3 in last eight).

KRUGER/KSU
OU head coach Lon Kruger was the 1973 and ’74 Big Eight Player of the Year as a Kansas State Wildcat and coached at the school for four years, compiling an 81-46 record from 1986-87 through 1989-90. He is 4-4 against his alma mater (2-2 at OU). Sooners assistant coach Steve Henson played for Kruger at K-State each of those four seasons and still holds school career records for assists (582), assists per game (4.58), free throw percentage (.900), minutes (4,474), starts (118), consecutive games played (127) and consecutive starts (118). Henson was inducted into K-State’s Athletics Hall of Fame this past October.

 

[Max Power]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

Just did a quick look, they have 10 guys averaging over 10 min a game, with no one averaging more than 29 min a game. 3 Players average double figures in scoring, and as a team the average 14 assists and 12 turnovers a game. They also have 4 guys 6-7 one 6-9. We SHOULD be able to push the pace and out rebound them, which are the keys to an OU victory in my opinion.

 

[WTSooner]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

Should be an interesting game, in terms of seeing if OU will be able to dictate tempo against a team that will clearly want to play slow. Also a fairly big game in terms of OU stealing a W in a toss up game. We already have one of those in the UT win on the road. Getting another one this early would be nice.

 

[NickZepp]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

Down 4-0 early.

 

[JBaker]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

Woodard looking a mess so far.

 

[okcsooner83]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

Need a timeout

 

[JBaker]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

Our offense is having absolute fits.
They have good defensive pressure on us every possession.

 

[NickZepp]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

6-3 ksu

 

[NickZepp]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

7-6 Sooners

 

[NickZepp]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

Nice job settling down after the rough start.

 

[NickZepp]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

12-8 OU after the media timeout.

 

[NickZepp]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

Need a timeout

I actually like that Kruger lets his teams play through early troubles. No need to panache early.

 

[NickZepp]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

14-8 OU after Neal gets hacked and makes his free throws.

 

[NickZepp]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

Damnit they are hitting 3s like crazy.

 

[Soonerman82]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

K-State is on fire from downtown.

 

[NickZepp]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

5 3s in a row for a team that can't shoot 30% from 3.

 

[JBaker]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

I mean, Kansas State is a really good offensive team.
This has nothing to do with OU having a putrid defense.
We just play at a fast pace. Right guys?

 

[NickZepp]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

The pace really favors OU. KSU won't make 3s like this.

 

[soonerhoops2012]

Really Bennett? Could we have a weaker big man?!

 

[Laxtothemax12]

Re: OU-Kansas State Pregame Notes | SoonerSports.com

5 3s in a row for a team that can't shoot 30% from 3.

Because theyre playing Oklahoma...every team makes 3's on us, and yet I wonder why Lon NEVER calls a timeout in a run like that. 11-0 run