Kansas State Basketball returns the vast majority of the team’s roster after a surprising Elite Eight run. How will things look different regarding the Wildcats’ rotations?
At the beginning of last season, Kansas State Basketball had the simple goal of making the NCAA Tournament. The talent was there but questions remained about the ceilings for the key players on the team.
Those questions were answered, with both Barry Brown and Dean Wade playing at all All-Big 12 level to lead the Wildcats through the gauntlet of the league back to the Big Dance. What ended up being the biggest surprise of the season was the overall depth for Kansas State, which was needed after Wade missed most of the NCAA Tournament with a leg injury. A pair of underclassmen made big strides down the stretch to help take the team to the Elite Eight.
It arguably was head coach Bruce Weber’s best coaching performance throughout the season, with the team winning 25 total games. The program seems to have turned the corner and might be going from the middle of the pack to the upper echelon of the Big 12, joining rival Kansas.
Next season will be the ultimate test of that, with all five starters returning for 2018-19. The key bench players also come back, including one of the best Junior College transfers in that particular class. While most of the minutes and rotations will look similar to last season, there are some potential differences that may help the Wildcats have an “elite” regular season and possibly take over Kansas in the Big 12.
For those skeptical, look at the projected minutes and rotations for Kansas State Basketball. Can this roster be as good as the rival Jayhawks?