Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: West Virginia falls, Iowa State surprises to start out season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Devon Dotson #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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MANHATTAN, KS – NOVEMBER 12: Kansas State Wildcats players huddle after a foul against the Denver Pioneers during the second half on November 12, 2018 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

2. Kansas State Wildcats (4-0)

Preseason rank: 2

There have been both positive and negative surprises in the early part of the Big 12 Basketball conference. One place there hasn’t been is with Kansas State, who’s looked exactly as expected.

The Wildcats have been elite on the defensive level, giving up around 50 ppg. Then there’s the source of offensive production, with the trio of Dean Wade, Barry Brown and Xavier Sneed leading the way. Senior guard Kamau Stokes is facilitating the offense while Makol Mawien is holding down the paint.

One addition to the rotation that’s been huge is former JUCO All-American Austin Trice. In just 14 mpg, the 6’7 forward is pulling down over eight rebounds a game, which equates to a ridiculous 23.8 per 40 minutes. One weakness with the Wildcats last season was with the lack of frontcourt depth, so the involvement of Trice confirms them as a top-15 team.

One issue though that has to be remedied is the terrible three-point shooting. Kansas State has started out 13/64 from deep, good for 20% and ranked right at the bottom in the country. With roughly the same roster, the Wildcats 221st in the nation last year at 34%.

The stout defense has allowed them to win comfortably against inferior opponents but the shooting concerns will bite them with a step up in competition.

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