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

By Brian Rauf | Sep 22, 2018

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 08: Head coach Bruce Weber of the Kansas State Wildcats talks with players during a timeout in the Big 12 Basketball Tournament quarterfinal game against the TCU Horned Frogs at the Sprint Center on March 8, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 16: TJ Starks #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts after a three point shot against the Providence Friars during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Non-conference schedule

Nov. 9 – Kennesaw State
Nov. 12 – Denver
Nov. 16-19 – U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam
Nov. 24 – Lehigh
Dec. 1 – at Marquette
Dec. 8 – at Tulsa
Dec. 15 – Georgia State
Dec. 19 – Southern Miss
Dec. 22 – vs. Vanderbilt (Kansas City, MO)
Dec. 29 – George Mason
Jan. 26 – at Texas A&M

Kansas State really doesn’t play a great non-conference schedule, but they have three very intriguing games against Marquette, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M.

The Golden Eagles will provide the Wildcats with their first test, and their high-octane offensive attack will go up against K-State’s stingy defense in this contrast of styles. Marquette has their sights set on returning to the NCAA Tournament, and a win would further cement Kansas State among the better teams in the country.

While they’ll face Texas A&M as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, Vanderbilt is actually the toughest non-conference game they have. The Commodores will be much improved under head coach Bryce Drew thanks to a stellar recruiting class headlined by five-star prospects Simi Shittu and Darius Garland. Those two have the talent to give Kansas State major problems and this game will likely have an impact on seeding come tournament time.

The Wildcats will also take part in the Paradise Jam this year in a field that also features Missouri, Oregon State, and Northern Iowa. Should things go according to plan in the Feast Week tournament, K-State will face Eastern Kentucky, UNI, and then Mizzou in the title game.

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