K-State Q&A: Bruce Weber’s new attitude and Halloween candy for every Big 12 team
It’s time for another K-State Q&A.
Let’s jump right into your questions. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover this week.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Did the elite 8 run vindicate Bruce and unleash a confidence in him we haven’t seen yet visually? Not approving of top 2 and #12 in the nation is swagger that I hope carries directly to the guys this season. Act like hunters again</p>— Adam Jimison (@A_Jimison) <a href="https://twitter.com/A_Jimison/status/1055505228924104704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
There is definitely something different with Bruce Weber right now. His approval rating is at an all-time high, he has a top-15 team and he is acting like a boss.
I might have to start calling him Confident Bruce (unless you like Teflon Bruce better) if he keeps this up.
His remarks at K-State’s media day, about the Wildcats not getting enough preseason love, struck me as odd. They were getting lots of respect!
Then he went and doubled down on them in Kansas City by saying they deserved better than No. 12 in the preseason AP poll and No. 2 in the preseason Big 12 poll. Would anything short of No. 1 in both have pleased him?
He kept answering questions that way all afternoon, everyone else’s opinion be damned.
It reminded me some of Ned Yost after he took the Royals to his first World Series. After years of being a punching bag for fans, he had all the power and said a bunch of entertaining stuff on his way to a championship the following year. There’s some of that going on with Weber right now. And I approve. He’s not drunk on power, or anything like that. He’s just loving life as the most popular coach on campus.
I, for one, can’t wait to hear what Confident Bruce says next.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Should I allow myself to buy the hype bruce is selling?</p>— seth gordon (@sethjg7) <a href="https://twitter.com/sethjg7/status/1055552993872003072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
My advice to K-State basketball fans is to expect a good season and to hope for a great one.
Many, including myself, have compared this team to the 2010-11 group that was coming off an Elite Eight appearance and returned Jacob Pullen as a senior. That was a roller-coaster year. But the more I think about it, this group is probably closer to the 2009-10 squad that went to the Elite Eight.
These Wildcats have such a high floor. Dean Wade is back, so is Barry Brown and the entire starting five. It might not be easy for them to go from hunter to hunted or to recreate their NCAA Tournament run (they won’t see a 16 seed in the second round again) from last season. Before K-State knocked off Kentucky last March, no one even viewed the Wildcats as a top-25 team.
Still, they should qualify for the Big Dance with ease.
Kick back, relax and enjoy what should be an entertaining season. But don’t go in with championship-or-bust expectations. That’s not healthy.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What has to happen this season (both individual and team level) for Wade’s number to be in the rafters one day? 1st team Big12 and anchoring repeat Elite8 run?</p>— ÑRU [MetsPhillies&Nats are terrible franchises] (@urricane69) <a href="https://twitter.com/urricane69/status/1055515926462906368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Winning Big 12 Player of the Year would probably earn Dean Wade’s jersey a spot in the rafters.
Anything short of that, or consensus All-America honors, would leave that type of thing up for debate. The Wildcats have no criteria for jersey retirements. So helping the team win a Big 12 championship or go on another NCAA Tournament run could enhance his legacy enough to make it happen.
Right now, Jacob Pullen is a lock to receive the honor. And it will probably happen for Michael Beasley. But there’s quite a bit of debate for former players like Rodney McGruder and Steve Henson.
All I can say is if Wade has a big senior year he will be in the conversation. The same could be said for Barry Brown.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Which Big East team would you be most excited to see the Cats play in the new basketball challenge over the next few years? Likewise, least appealing team?</p>— Brett Mallon (@OMallon) <a href="https://twitter.com/OMallon/status/1055507868034719744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Selfishly, I would love to see K-State play Butler on the road so I could watch a game at Hinkle Fieldhouse and Tweet a bunch of Hoosiers gifs from start to finish.
Xavier would be cool, because you could recreate the classic Sweet 16 game from 2010. They should definitely set that up for 2020.
Villanova would obviously be fun, too.
Depaul and Seton Hall seem like the worst matchups. Creighton would also disappoint me, because Omaha is so close. Wouldn’t feel much like a crossover matchup, even though the games would probably be good.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">K-Dawg, my dude: compare the current state of each Big 12 school to candy that is passed out on Halloween.</p>— scottwildcat (@scottwildcat) <a href="https://twitter.com/scottwildcat/status/1050445139724984320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Let’s go by the current Big 12 standings:
Texas = Full-size Twix/Snickers
The Longhorns are the trick-or-treat candy every kid wants. They’ve won six in a row and are in the playoff hunt. Fans are jumping on the bandwagon like kids running to the house that is handing out these goodies.
Oklahoma = Reese’s Pieces
Just as tasty as the full-sized peanut butter cups. But easier to split up if, say, there are one or two questionable looking tiny candies you need to get rid of like a defensive coordinator.
West Virginia = Milky Way
The forgotten candy compared to Snickers, Twix and Reese’s. But it can taste just as good as a change-of-pace option.
Texas Tech = Skittles
Kliff Kingsbury has his team headed in the right direction, and his former quarterback is lighting up the NFL. He’s definitely tasting the rainbow.
Iowa State = KitKat
Too good to be grouped in with Halloween dregs like Tootsie Rolls and Double Bubble. Not good enough to be mentioned in the same sentence as truly great Halloween candy.
Baylor = Three Musketeers
Gross in normal sized quantities, but good enough for one or two small samplings when you see it mixed in with your good candy each October.
Kansas State = Candy Corn
This Halloween treat is as divisive as a conversation about when Bill Snyder should retire and who should replace him. You’ve got your opinion. I’ve got mine. We’re never going to agree.
Oklahoma State = Twizzlers (weird flavor)
You get all excited when you see the package, thinking you’re going to bite into one of the best candies on the planet, but walk away disappointed when you realize it tastes like fruit punch instead of the classic you were hoping for.
TCU = Crunch Bar
Disappointing when you were expecting a Mr. Goodbar.
Kansas = Halloween themed pencils and coloring books
My wife had the brilliant idea (sarcasm) to mix in some of these educational tools along with candy a few years ago, because maybe some kids would prefer them after getting sugary treats from every other house. Epic fail. Pretty sure we still have pumpkin pencils in our kitchen.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Since you’re re-gifting this, what is the worst item you have re-gifted? Or are you above such slimy doings?</p>— Brennan Mense (@BrennanMense) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrennanMense/status/1055506784042000385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I don’t have any cool stories about a three-speed bread maker, but ...
As a father of three boys, I have re-gifted a few of their birthday presents to other children over the years. Say they get a Bat Man action figure they already own, it’s sometimes easier to just save it for someone else’s birthday party than going through the trouble of returning it and picking out a new toy that probably will end up collecting dust in the basement.
I have also re-gifted some shirts that didn’t fit me right. Mostly to my brother or father, who ended up liking them.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">how many shoe companies paid your family members to get you to come write for the Eagle?</p>— KU 28 K-State 24 (@C_nrad) <a href="https://twitter.com/C_nrad/status/1055503578411008000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Not nearly enough.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If you were being recruited by every Big 12 basketball program, which current coach would you most like to play for?</p>— Eric Janzen (@E_Janzen) <a href="https://twitter.com/E_Janzen/status/1055513873019817985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Lon Kruger.
He’s a good coach and a genuinely nice guy. He’s always been great to me. I can’t say this for absolute certainty, as I’ve never attended any of his practices, but he seems like the type of coach that teaches without yelling all that much or using tough love.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Does Coach Weber have any "feelings" about returning to his home in Milwaukee for the game against Marquette? Also, give us optimists a reason to stay optimistic as the FB 'Cats take on Oklahoma. (I was at Arrowhead when we beat the "greatest FB team of all time" in KC)</p>— Ian Bautista (@XicanoDeKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/XicanoDeKC/status/1055513678420893701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He’s looking forward to it. Weber didn’t want to add a difficult road game to the schedule, but a trip to his hometown of Milwaukee was something he didn’t want to pass on.
On the football front, there’s no sugar-coating it: K-State is probably not winning at Oklahoma. The Sooners are favored by 25, and that doesn’t seem like an outrageous line.
But I won’t be surprised if K-State covers the spread. The Wildcats haven’t been bigger underdogs since they went to Oklahoma as 28-point dogs in 2009, but they covered in a 42-30 loss.
Also, the last two times K-State played at Oklahoma coming off a bye week they won the game outright both times — 24-19 in 2012 and 31-30 in 2014.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Over or under on the OU/KSU point spread?</p>— Wade Terry (@wadeterry) <a href="https://twitter.com/wadeterry/status/1055510354774581248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Give me K-State with the points. I think Oklahoma wins by about 20.
The TCU game no longer looks like the daunting challenge it once did for Kansas State.
Before the season, I figured the Horned Frogs would beat the Wildcats with relative ease. It looked like one of the hardest games on K-State’s schedule. Now, it seems like a toss up.
There is so much turmoil going on in Fort Worth right now. Players are getting injured and kicked off the team. Gary Patterson isn’t doing his research on arrest reports. And TCU has lost four of its past five games.
The way things are going, I might even pick the Wildcats to win that game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Is Barnes’ NFL stock rising enough that he might test the draft and forgo his Senior Year? Especially since he will have already graduated early, if I understand right?</p>— Caleb Wuthnow (@_WutNow_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_WutNow_/status/1055543032857157632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Let’s see how the rest of the season goes before we jump to any conclusions, but Alex Barnes would be a leave-early candidate if he remains on his current pace.
Right now, he leads the Big 12 with 788 rushing yards and sits at No. 13 nationally. He is running with both speed and power, and he is also emerging as a receiving threat.
I think he is the best running back in the Big 12 and the best we’ve seen at K-State since Daniel Thomas.
He’s a potential draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Probably somewhere in the middle or late rounds. Elijah Lee, D.J. Reed and Byron Pringle all jumped early with similar draft grades and things worked out for them.
That’s a decision Barnes will have to make at the end of the season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Has Delton's injury allowed Thompson to play more loose and without having to look over his shoulder for fear of being benched? Do you think the team has in turn accepted Thompson as their leader and that's why things seem to be trending up?</p>— Preston Ryan (@Preston__Ryan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Preston__Ryan/status/1055558809584836613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
There’s probably some truth to that. More than looking over his shoulder, I think Skylar Thompson has benefited most from simply playing for 10 straight quarters.
He obviously needs to throw the ball better than he did against Oklahoma State, but he has make big strides as a scrambler. His touchdown run against Baylor and his dive for the pylon against Oklahoma State were both incredible plays.
Putting his body on the line and fighting for extra yardage has definitely boosted his stock as a leader. He’s definitely the guy right now. Even Snyder said this week he’s “coming into his own.”
This story was originally published October 26, 2018 at 7:00 AM.