Jan 17, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Malek Harris (10), guard Jevon Thomas (1) and forward Stephen Hurt (41) celebrate a late basket during a 63-61 win against the Baylor Bears at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
10. Kansas State Wildcats
Bruce Weber’s first three seasons in Manhattan sure look a whole lot like a shortened version of his time at Illinois. Exceed expectations at first. Come crashing down a bit. Kick everyone decent off the team, and then really come crashing down. Unfortunately for Wildcat fans, they’re in that first year after he kicked everyone off the team.
Stephen Hurt, Justin Edwards, and Wesley Iwundu are the only three returners from KState’s top 10 players last year. And that’s from a team that was already bad, finishing 15-17. His recruiting class is a bit better than Tubby’s, so there’s some room for hope there.
Kansas State won’t finish last in the conference if…
Bruce Pearl found another “diamond in the rough” recruit like Marcus Foster (who he eventually kicked off the team). His top rated freshman, 7-footer Dante Williams, is already out for the first month or so of the season. As you would imagine, he’s bringing in a lot of freshman since he had so many spots open.
So some of these freshman are going to play some major minutes. Look for Kamau Stokes, Barry Brown, or Dean Wade to take a lot of them in the backcourt. Maybe they’ll impress. Maybe they won’t. Maybe Weber will kick them off the team (ok ok I’m done).