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MANHATTAN — Wally Judge can imagine what it would feel like to return to his high-school form, dominate in the post and help Kansas State go on an impressive run through the NCAA Tournament.
It's what the freshman forward has fantasized about since joining the Wildcats.
"That would be nice," Judge said. "I'm doing everything I can to get better, so I'm ready for whenever my time is called."
Coming into the season, many predicted Judge would play a major role in K-State's postseason success. As a high school All-American, recruiting experts celebrated him as one of the Wildcats' best-ever signings.
He has plenty of time to live up to that billing, but he hasn't been a difference maker as a freshman. Aside from starting a handful of nonconference games and playing strong against Kansas and Alabama, Judge has contributed little. He is averaging 3.1 points and 2.7 rebounds.
"Stepping into this, where I have had to find a role has been kind of tough," Judge said. "I never felt like I had a star on my back, or that I was supposed to be an impact player. I always just felt like I could help this team. But coming from high school, where I had a lot of success, it's just been different."
The differences have been less noticeable lately. His playing time is gradually increasing, and so is his on-court production. In the Big 12 championship game against the Jayhawks, he scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds in nine minutes.
"There's no such thing as slow progression," K-State coach Frank Martin said. "Wally is playing for a top-10 team. It's not as easy as people think. That's why I don't care what people think. It's about what these kids think. Wally understood we had people in place. He understood he was going to have to compete, and he's done that admirably. He came here to work and become a better player. That has happened."
There is no better time to show that improvement than now. As strange as it may sound considering he was once an All-American, Judge could be the Wildcats' secret weapon in the NCAA Tournament if he plays to his potential.
Judge believes that is a possibility. Martin asked Judge last week how he thought he'd do if he could go back and play in the McDonald's All-American game today. Judge told him, "I would kill."
Sophomore forward Jamar Samuels says he has come to hate going against Judge in practice. The passive freshman he used to go after on every possession is now the aggressor.
"He's become one of our most physical players," Samuels said. "He's a bruiser. I get mad at him sometimes, because he's too physical. He just comes to practice and beats up on me."
Junior forward Curtis Kelly has felt his tough play as well.
"I think Wally has been playing great," Kelly said. "He's been playing strong. We're going to need him in the NCAA Tournament."
