Written by Tom Gilbert, Associate Director/Athletics Communications for K-State
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State has added a men’s basketball exhibition game with Emporia State on Friday, October 30 to tip off the 2015-16 season at Bramlage Coliseum.
The latest addition gives K-State 19 home games in 2015-16, including five in a row to start the season. After playing the Hornets on October 30, the Wildcats play a second exhibition game with Fort Hays State on Friday, November 6. The squad has won 16 straight home exhibitions dating back to 2003.
It marks the first time since the start of the 2012-13 season that the team will host two exhibition games.
The Hornets return 11 lettermen, including seven players with starting experience, from a squad that posted a 12-16 overall record and finished in a tie for 12th in the MIAA standings with a 5-14 mark for head coach Shaun Vandiver. The team welcomes four Division I transfers in 2015-16.
K-State is 2-0 all-time against Emporia State in exhibition play with wins in 2005 (79-75) and 2012 (81-51).
The non-conference schedule is now set with the Big 12 slate to be released in the near future. K-State will once again host nine conference games, including visits from NCAA Tournament teams Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and West Virginia.
The Wildcats will return seven lettermen, including four players with starting experience, in 2015-16 to go with the influx of 10 newcomers, including PARADE All-American Dean Wade (St. John, Kansas/St. John) and NJCAA First Team All-American Carlbe Ervin II (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma/Connors State College). Senior guard Justin Edwards (6.3 ppg., 3.3 rpg.) is the team’s top returner in both scoring and steals (37), while junior forward Wesley Iwundu (5.8 ppg., 3.5 rpg.) is the leading returner in rebounding (108), assists (61), blocks (20) and minutes (780).
Season tickets for the 2015-16 season are now available and can be purchased in a variety of ways, including toll free at (800) 221.CATS (2287), online atwww.kstatesports.com/tickets and in-person at the Athletics Ticket Office located in Bramlage Coliseum.
2015-16 Kansas State Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Day Date Opponent
Friday Oct. 30 EMPORIA STATE (Exh.)
Friday Nov. 6 FORT HAYS STATE (Exh.)
Opening Games of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic (Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan.)
Friday Nov. 13 MARYLAND-EASTERN SHORE
Monday Nov. 16 COLUMBIA
Friday Nov. 20 SOUTH DAKOTA
CBE Hall of Fame Classic (Sprint Center, Kansas City, Mo.)
Monday Nov. 23 vs. Missouri
Tuesday Nov. 24 vs. North Carolina/Northwestern
Sunday Nov. 29 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
Friday Dec. 4 @Georgia
Wednesday Dec. 9 COPPIN STATE
Saturday Dec. 12 @Texas A&M
Wichita Wildcat Classic (INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, Kan.)
Saturday Dec. 19 COLORADO STATE
Tuesday Dec. 22 NORTH DAKOTA
Tuesday Dec. 29 SAINT LOUIS
Big 12-SEC Challenge (Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan.)
Saturday Jan. 30 OLE MISS