To say that it’s been a down year for Kansas State would be a big understatement. The Wildcats, picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 by the conference’s coaches back in last fall’s Media Day, experienced an awful trip through non-league play with losses to the likes of Texas Southern and Long Beach State. Bruce Weber was hoping for a reset in league play, but it hasn’t come; if anything, things in Manhattan have only gotten worse. Last night’s loss at TCU dropped Kansas State to 6-8 in Big 12 play and 13-14 overall, making the Wildcats the only conference team other than Texas Tech to have a sub-.500 record. There were few signs of emotion or energy from the Wildcats in Fort Worth, as they allowed an early 19-0 Horned Frogs’ run and trailed by 20 points at halftime. Kansas State regrouped to make a brief second half run, but never got closer than six points the rest of the way and ultimately lost by 14. This problem isn’t just about wins and losses in a very competitive league, though.
In a disastrous season, Bruce Weber has struggled to get what he’s needed out of his team. (Raymond Thompson/AP)
Weber is struggling to keep his team focused and motivated. Star guard Marcus Foster has hit some game-winning shots, but he’s also been benched, suspended, benched again and, most recently, muzzled. After a 1-of-6 shooting performance in a reserve role last night, it doesn’t look like he and his head coach have come particularly close to mending their fences. Those issues have kept Kansas State from maximizing its potential, and there are varying levels of responsibility with both parties. No matter how you slice it, the best solution may be for the two to simply part ways, whether that involves Foster transferring or going pro. It isn’t just Foster who has struggled to find Weber’s good graces, though. Wesley Iwundu played 18 minutes on Wednesday, the least he has logged in any conference game this season. He hoisted 11 shots during those minutes, misfiring on all but two of his attempts. The Wildcats’ lethargy was on full display in Wednesday’s defeat, and Weber’s postgame comments revealed that his frustration with the team’s lack of consistent energy may have reached a tipping point.
I just want guys that care. That is all I want, guys that care and want to play for K-State and want to play to win and will play hard.
Now, it’s also worth pointing out that there have been plenty of nights when effort hasn’t been a problem for Kansas State. A team that doesn’t play hard typically won’t sweep Oklahoma or beat Baylor or come within four points of beating West Virginia or come within four points of beating Arizona. But it’s clear that effort hasn’t come with the frequency Weber desires.
It’s pretty simple, I’m not a genius, by no means. But I have coached a long time and I know what is right and what is wrong. When guys won’t compete and battle and come to practice every day […] You can’t just come once in a while and think you are going to be a great college player. You have to bring it every day.
Even before Wednesday’s loss, an NCAA Tournament bid appeared out of reach for the Wildcats. Now it looks like Kansas State needs to win at least three of its four remaining regular season games (at Baylor; vs. Kansas; vs. Iowa State; at Texas) and make a run in the Big 12 Tournament to get to a sixth consecutive Big Dance.
The season isn’t over, but from the sound of it, Weber may be willing to play the long game and continue to dole out playing time based on great energy over talent. After everything he’s gone through — and again, Weber shoulders some of this responsibility as the man tasked with getting his team into the proper mindset — it’s tough to blame him for taking that stand, as long as he also acknowledges that it won’t bring his troops any closer to a positive outcome on Selection Sunday.