K-State Proves to Be the Real Deal Against #1 Texas

It's that time of year in college basketball when the cream is supposed to rise. However, sometimes as college basketball fans we are surprised by what we find at the top. This year's best example is the Kansas State Wildcats. Frank Martin's team has looked like a misprint in the top15 for the last month, but after last night's eye opening win against top ranked Texas, the question about K-State has changed from "How long can they last?" to "How far can they go?"

The Cats are led by guards Jacob Pullen and Denny Clemente, a duo that has teamed with Uconn transfer Curtis Kelly to form a core that is capable of beating any team in the country.

Yet, until last night, the average college basketball fan would struggle to name a single player from K-State's roster. That's because the Wildcats have been the surprise of the college basketball season. All of their early wins against solid mid-majors (Dayton, Xavier, #17 UNLV) and middling power conference teams (Washington State, Alabama, and Texas A&M) culminated last night to give them the biggest win this season short of Tennessee beating top ranked Kansas with half a team and three walk-ons.

So how good is K-State?

They are definitely a Top 10 team right now, and may be one for years to come. Despite losing Clemente after this season, the team will return three double digit scorers for next year (Pullen, Kelly, and forward Jamar Samuels) and already have two of the country's most talented freshmen in forward Wally Judge and Rodney McGruder. Highly touted prospect Shane Southwell (Rice HS/Bronx, NY) has already signed on for next year as well.

Looking ahead, the Wildcats have tough road games against Baylor and Oklahoma, a second meeting with a Missouri team that beat them last week, and two monumental meetings with in-state rival Kansas. Winning three of those five games along with managing the rest of their Big 12 schedule could see the Wildcats looking at one of the Top 16 overall seeds come Selection Sunday.

The Cats take the floor next this Saturday at home against Oklahoma State.