Kansas State excited about another Wichita basketball game

Bruce Weber was skeptical about moving home games away from Bramlage Coliseum when he became Kansas State’s basketball coach three years ago, but he quickly learned the value of playing inside Intrust Bank Arena and Kansas City’s Sprint Center.

One trip to each venue is all it took to change his mind.

“The crowds have been so energized and so engaged,” Weber said. “That has been the coolest thing. When we went to Kansas City and played Florida for the first time I was like, ‘This is big time. This is a big-time atmosphere.’ You get to that Sprint Center and it is packed with purple.

“We want home games, but we are also smart. Over this next stretch we won’t have students here. So if you play here Saturday we might have a better home-court advantage in Kansas City or Wichita, especially if they show up like they have. That helps. When you have a crowd like that and you have got that atmosphere and (a quality) opponent, that helps the players raise their game.”

There certainly is something about playing games in Wichita and Kansas City at this time of year that brings out the best in K-State. Under Weber, the Wildcats are undefeated in three home games played at both sites, with all three games coming against ranked opponents. Last year, they beat No. 21 Texas A&M at Sprint Center, two years ago they took down No. 21 Gonzaga at Intrust Bank Arena, and three years ago they beat No. 8 Florida at Sprint.

They are easily the most impressive nonconference victories of the Weber era.

Weber’s goal is now to schedule a future game at Sprint Center each season and a future game at Intrust Bank Arena every other season. Wichita is up next in the rotation, with K-State taking on Colorado State at 3 p.m. Saturday.

“We are definitely excited, just like in Kansas City everyone was super excited and super pumped,” K-State guard Justin Edwards said. “Playing in Wichita, most of us haven’t played there. So getting the chance to play in a new venue where we are going to have a lot of fans is going to be a lot of fun.”

Wichita native Brian Rohleder thinks a change of venue helps players take the floor in front of friends and family that don’t always make it to Manhattan. Two years ago, snow blanketed Wichita during the Gonzaga game and fans still showed up in big numbers.

“The venue for some reason, whether it’s Kansas City or Wichita, seems to give our team a lot of energy,” Rohleder said. “Playing at a different place, but still seeing it packed with purple really energizes us and brings our game to another level. It feels like a home game with all the fans and the support. You wouldn’t know the difference whether it’s Bramlage, Sprint Center or Intrust Bank.”

Slumping Colorado State may not offer the same difficult test as previous opponents, but the Rams are one of the best teams on K-State’s nonconference schedule.

Weber looks forward to playing them in Wichita.

“We were a little skeptical the last time with the weather when we played Gonzaga, but the turnout was unbelievable,” Weber said. “Not only the turnout, but the crowd was very engaged and energized, and it helped our guys reach another level.”

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Kansas State excited about another Wichita basketball game."