Kansas State Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Wildcats

Key reserves

Makol Mawien
Mawien started down the stretch a year ago in Wade’s absence and performed quite admirably, scoring at least 11 points in four of the final seven games of the season – including a 29-point outburst against Kansas. He was effective down low, shooting 59.8 percent on the season, and was a good rebounder off the bench. Mawien will return to that bench role but will still see significant minutes as the second true big man in the rotation. He should get a number of starts as well depending on the matchup.

Mike McGuirl
McGuirl was expected to redshirt last season but was forced into action due to injuries to Stokes and Wade. Most of his minutes came in the NCAA Tournament and showed his potential in the first round against Creighton, dropping 17 points while making three three-pointers. He’ll be tasked with providing a perimeter scoring punch off the bench.

Levi Stockard III
The third big in the rotation, the 6-8, 239-pounder is a load down low that makes his biggest impact on the glass. He’s not going to take any playing time away from Wade or Mawien but will provide a number minutes off the bench in each half in which he’ll serve as the anchor in the paint on both ends. That number of minutes, however, will depend on Stockard’s ability to stay out of foul trouble – his biggest problem from a year ago.