K-State’s Star Wars Day: When forcing it in basketball is a good thing
The Sunday after Thanksgiving isn’t the most fan-friendly of times for a college basketball team to host a game against a lower Division I opponent.
With that in mind, Kansas State decided to jazz up its 2 p.m. tipoff with South Carolina State on Sunday by designating it as Star Wars Day.
Fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Star Wars characters and celebrate both the Wildcats and the science-fiction movie franchise.
Several activities are planned for the game, including giveaways and a costume contest. Maybe K-State coach Bruce Weber will channel the force in his pregame speech.
Professional teams in many sports have capitalized on the popularity of Star Wars at themed games, and the Wildcats are hoping to do the same.
If the move attracts a good crowd, Weber will be happy. He isn’t worried about it distracting from his team, though. If K-State continues to play the way it has during its first games, it should be fine against South Carolina State.
He is looking forward to returning to the court.
“We learned a lot about ourselves,” Weber said of K-State’s 4-1 start, which included a second-place finish at the CBE Hall of Fame Classic. “Now we have to go back to practice and get better.”
The Wildcats nearly entered this game undefeated, but it couldn’t hold onto a late lead against North Carolina and suffered their first loss.
A game against South Carolina State offers the opportunity to bounce back before classes resume on Monday.
K-State has exceeded most expectations so far, but it wants more. It wants sustained success.
“We have a good idea of what everyone can do,” guard Justin Edwards said. “We have to keep moving forward and get better in practice. That is going to be a key thing for us.”
Kellis Robinett: @kellisrobinett
South Carolina State at Kansas State
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan
Radio: KQAM, 1480-AM; KWLS, 107.9-FM
TV: FSKC
P | S.C. State | Ht | Yr | Pts | Reb |
F | Daryll Palmer | 6-8 | Sr. | 7.3 | 4.7 |
G | Greg Mortimer | 6-3 | Jr. | 9.3 | 2.0 |
G | Ed Stephens | 6-2 | So. | 13.7 | 2.7 |
G | Gabe McCray | 6-7 | Sr. | 14.3 | 5.3 |
G | Eric Eaves | 6-3 | Jr. | 16.5 | 2.0 |
P | Kansas St. | Ht | Yr | Pts | Reb |
F | Stephen Hurt | 6-11 | Sr. | 9.0 | 4.8 |
F | Dean Wade | 6-8 | Fr. | 11.8 | 5.4 |
G | Wesley Iwundu | 6-7 | Jr. | 12.4 | 4.8 |
G | Justin Edwards | 6-4 | Sr. | 14.8 | 5.6 |
G | Kamau Stokes | 5-10 | Fr. | 9.6 | 2.6 |
S.C. State (3-3): The Bulldogs, of the MEAC, are off to a 3-3 start with victories over Longwood, Voorhees and Allen. They have lost to Charleston, Eastern Kentucky and Ball State. Eaves leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.5 points.
Kansas State (4-1): The Wildcats have won four of their first five games, falling just short against North Carolina for their first loss. The Wildcats have won all three of their home games by double digits.
This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 5:08 PM with the headline "K-State’s Star Wars Day: When forcing it in basketball is a good thing."