After reaching the Elite Eight last season as a No. 9 seed last season, many have high expectations for Kansas State this year. Almost the entire roster returns from a year ago and therefore the floor for the team is extremely high. With 11 returning players, including the team’s six leading scorers in 2017-18, it is easy to see why many are so excited about the Wildcats. If everyone takes the right steps this year and the team remains healthy, it is reasonable to believe that K-State can compete near the top of the Big 12.
Similar to last season, as expected, the team will be led by the duo of Barry Brown (15.9 ppg, 3.2 apg) and Dean Wade (16.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg). Now both seniors, these two should be in for outstanding seasons both as individual contributors and as vocal leaders on the court. However, what makes this team so potentially special is the depth and balance this duo. In fact, four other players are returning after averaging more than six points per game last season.
And while Xavier Sneed (11.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Kamau Stokes (9.0 ppg, 3.4 apg) may be known commodities by this point, the true “breakout” candidate for K-State this year will be sophomore Cartier Diarra. A 6-foot-4 guard, Diarra posted a strong freshman campaign a year ago of 7.1 points per game on 40.5% shooting from three and should be even better this time around. Additionally, 6-foot-9 junior Makol Mawien should be a strong contributor in the frontcourt.
Finally, K-State is not bringing in a ton of new talent but there are three newcomers joining the program. Transfers Patrick Muldoon (Eastern Illinois) and Austin Trice (Wabash Valley College), as well as incoming freshman Shaun Neal-Williams, will compete for playing time in their first seasons with the program.