K-State Q&A: Will this be Bill Snyder’s final home game?

By Kellis Robinett

Updated November 16, 2018 2:15 PM

It’s time for another K-State Q&A.

There are lots of great questions to cover this week, so let’s get right to them. Thanks, as always, for your participation.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Percent chance that 1. Saturday is the final home game for LHCBS and 2. Percent chance that we will know that before game time</p>— Brennan Mense (@BrennanMense) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrennanMense/status/1063124853635665920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

K-State’s 2:30 p.m. Saturday football game against Texas Tech will be senior day for players like Dalton Risner and Kendall Adams. It could also be the final time Bill Snyder coaches a game at the stadium that bears his name.

Not sure what percent chance to put on that. Sometimes you get clear skies when the local meteorologist predicts a 100 percent chance of rain. But it would be high. This certainly feels like Snyder’s final season.

Snyder is doing everything he can to guide this team to bowl eligibility. The Wildcats are coming off a win and are only 6-point underdogs against the Red Raiders. He’s too focused on this game to announce his retirement before kickoff. I don’t expect anything to be settled on that front until after the regular season ends.

Still, my advice to any K-State fan looking to celebrate his unprecedented turnaround in Manhattan would be to do so on Saturday. You might not get another chance.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Snyder is retiring, wouldn't this have been the week to do it before the final home game? Do you think there is still a chance he comes back?</p>— Laura Forster (@LauraBForster) <a href="https://twitter.com/LauraBForster/status/1063121131958427649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

You’re right. If Snyder wanted a farewell game, this would have been the ideal week to have one.

But he is probably thinking this team can win its final three games, finish 7-6 with a bowl victory and build toward something better next season.

While that’s all technically on the table, it ignores recent years of poor recruiting and roster attrition. This isn’t about one bad season. There’s nothing coming down the pipeline that suggests the Wildcats are going to contend for another Big 12 championship anytime soon without some kind of dramatic change.

Signing a handful of four-star recruits would be more meaningful than extending the team’s bowl streak. The program’s arrow is pointed down.

There’s always a chance he’s back next season, but the deck is stacked against him. I don’t see K-State beating Texas Tech or Iowa State.

Gene Taylor and Snyder may have some difficult conversations here in a few weeks. But they will probably result in Snyder deciding to retire, even if the team from “Inception” has to get involved. At this moment, it seems like more of a question of when and how Snyder’s 27-year coaching run ends than if it ends.

The last time K-State failed to win six games was the year Snyder initially retired in 2005. He made that decision before the season ended and he immediately regretted it, so you can’t blame him for being more patient this time around. But it sure seems like history is going to repeat itself.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We hear of the players that have left the football program in the last two years. But do we have all of our available scholarships filled ?</p>— Larry Ross (@BowTieMetal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BowTieMetal/status/1063164738350338048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It’s hard to tell exactly where K-State is scholarship-wise, as it awards so many scholarships to walk-ons without publicizing those moves. But the Wildcats have around 70 players on scholarship right now. That’s 15 under the FBS limit.

K-State can make up the difference with a big recruiting class this cycle, but it is constantly facing an uphill battle when half the members of every class leave the team before they graduate.

The Wildcats need to do a better job recruiting players AND retaining them once they arrive on campus.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You are king for a day and can make one non-Coaching change/addition/subtraction in the KState Athletic Department. What do you do?</p>— Wildkat Photography (@wildkatphoto) <a href="https://twitter.com/wildkatphoto/status/1063249197355450369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I would call Nike and order as many new football uniforms as I possibly could.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Bill Snyder has a restaurant called Snyder’s, what is on the menu? And what’s the atmosphere? Feel free to expand this other coaches.</p>— Paul Harris (@palexharris) <a href="https://twitter.com/palexharris/status/1063144008178909187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It’s a Taco Bell connected to a Chick-fil-A. They condense their menus and offer just 16 food items. And they are only open for dinner. One meal a day.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What is your favorite simpsons episode. If you can’t answer that, what is your favorite season?</p>— trapped in purgatory; a lifeless object alive (@grant_ksu) <a href="https://twitter.com/grant_ksu/status/1063113310588071936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bless you for asking this question.

I gave up on the Simpsons at about Season 13, when it turned bad and began its decline into the zombie version that’s on now, but I’ve watched all the classic episodes dozen of times. So I feel I’m qualified to answer.

The best episode, in my book, is Homer at the Bat. The storyline is amazing and they incorporated real-life baseball players perfectly. I associate Ozzie Smith, Jose Canseco and Darryl Strawberry more for their roles in that episode than anything they actually did on the baseball field.

When Homer Simpson asks Strawberry if he’s better than him at baseball, and Strawberry responds “I’ve never met you, but yes.” Oh man. Too funny.

It also gave us this great GIF.

And don’t forget the song at the end. What a classic episode.

But I would also gladly sit down and watch these episodes right now:

Mr. Plow, Homer the Heretic, Marge vs. the Monorail, The Cartridge Family, You Only Move Twice, Last Exit to Springfield, Bart on the Road, Lisa the Iconoclast, 22 Short Films About Springfield, Radioactive Man, Homer the Great, The Treehouse of Horror episodes ... Heck, just about anything from the early seasons.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What are the first 3 songs on your winter playlist?</p>— Stevesie (@SLKECK) <a href="https://twitter.com/SLKECK/status/1063144750440693762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

1. Sleigh Ride

2. Christmas In Hollis

3. Feliz Navidad

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Give me your top 5 pies, in order.</p>— scottwildcat (@scottwildcat) <a href="https://twitter.com/scottwildcat/status/1063112893712003073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

1. Pecan Pie

2. Pumpkin Pie

3. Coconut Cream Pie

4. Banana Cream Pie

5. Apple Pie

I hope to eat many slices of the top two next week, and maybe a slice of No. 3. Can’t say I’ve eaten the other two on Thanksgiving, but I’m not opposed to doing so.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What's going on with kstate bball?</p>— Crazy Chester (@Ole_Told_Me) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ole_Told_Me/status/1063112361496731648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Well, #ConfidentBruce and his band of talented Wildcats haven’t quite played up to expectations so far. They beat Kennesaw State in less-than-impressive fashion and then did the same thing against Denver. They are shooting 17.5 percent from three-point range and their backcourt is struggling. Kamau Stokes, Cartier Diarra and Mike McGuirl are slumping.

What does that mean?

Hard to say. It’s only been two games. And K-State won both. So it’s way too early to panic. Fans can certainly be concerned right now, but we will learn more about this group in the weeks ahead, starting today at the Paradise Jam.

Remember, this is a team that was in the Elite Eight last season. It might have been hard for players to get up for two early home games against low-major opponents. But they badly want to win a trophy in the Virgin Islands.

They will have to shoot better than they have to get by the second game (against either Northern Iowa or Penn) but they are the favorites to win the Paradise Jam. Barry Brown and Dean Wade have played well. If they return to Manhattan 5-0 there won’t be anything to be concerned about anymore.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Is Kstate mens basketball over rated? I know its early but I'm not buying that this is a top 25 program right now.</p>— Shane Frownfelter (@sfrownfelter) <a href="https://twitter.com/sfrownfelter/status/1063116542437720064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

K-State probably doesn’t deserve to be ranked 12th right now, but this is still a top 25 team. Ken Pomeroy has the Wildcats at No. 22 in his updated rankings.

They shot poorly in their first two games, but let’s wait until the team takes a loss before we start throwing around words like overrated.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why are we playing in a basketball tournament that isn’t televised?</p>— Evan Woolsoncroft (@FortWorthEvan) <a href="https://twitter.com/FortWorthEvan/status/1060621195203305480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2018</a></blockquote>

The Paradise Jam has one of the strangest TV arrangements I’ve encountered. You can only watch the games on FloHoops.com, and you have to pay $30 for the Internet stream. Welcome to the world of online pay-per-view sports, I guess.

To answer your question, the Wildcats view the Paradise Jam as a tournament they can win. It’s in a fun location and they get a day off between games. They essentially sacrificed TV coverage for those things.

They will reportedly play in the new Fort Myers Tip-Off next season, which is being televised by Fox Sports 1 this year.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What's the recent record of KState bball in early season tourneys? How do we get invited to more prestigious tournaments? Most importantly, are you going to be in USVI to cover the games courtside?</p>— BrennanDell (@BrennanDell) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrennanDell/status/1063113559050199041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I covered K-State’s recent history of near misses in early season tournaments here. The Wildcats haven’t won one since the Diamond Head Classic in 2011.

K-State can participate in just about any early tournament it wants to, but Bruce Weber only just recently stopped blaming bad losses on fatigue caused by the team’s 2014 trip to the Maui Invitational, where the Cats lost to Long Beach State on the way and then Arizona and Pittsburgh in Maui. Seems like he’s gone out of his way to schedule less grueling tournaments since.

Too bad, that was an unbelievable trip.

I’m not going to the Virgin Islands. Just when I made peace with staying home to cover football, the K-State basketball team floods social media with pictures of the beautiful environment. Kinda regret not being out there to ask Barry Brown about his fanny pack and Bruce Weber about his cargo shorts/flip flops combo.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"> from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Family?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Family</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KStateMBB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KStateMBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VIStrong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VIStrong</a> <a href="https://t.co/G0wjVLQn29">pic.twitter.com/G0wjVLQn29</a></p>— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateMBB/status/1063125270704652289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

But I have purchased access to the tournament’s online stream. So I will keep you updated on the action.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Do you think that the lack of outside shooting will be an issue all year?</p>— Dom (@KStateDom) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateDom/status/1063114491439783936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yes, but I don’t think they will be this bad all season. As long as the Wildcats can shoot about 33 percent from the outside they can make up for it in other ways.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Who has impressed you the most and least so far for KSU basketball? Also, who is going to have a breakout weekend at the Paradise Jam?</p>— Preston Ryan (@Preston__Ryan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Preston__Ryan/status/1063123390146453504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Barry Brown has been K-State’s best player so far, so I guess I’m most impressed with him.

Cartier Diarra hasn’t done much of anything yet. But Kamau Stokes and Mike McGuirl have played poorly, too. They all need to be better.

I’ve got a feeling Makol Mawien has a big week in the Virgin Islands.

This story was originally published November 16, 2018 at 11:31 AM.

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