The Kansas State Men’s basketball team will be taking advantage of a new NCAA ruling that allows teams to hold 30 practices starting 42 days before their first game, which begins Friday.

Bruce Weber, KSU Basketball Coach said that new rule couldn’t have come at a better time. ” I looked at it and I think we have seven extra days of practice than we did a year ago, so with a young team, with half our team being new people, we can use all the days we can get especially with the tough schedule early.”

Shane Southwell, Senior Guard, said that extra practice time is extremely big, especially for the new guys,”Hopefully, it can get them more accustomed, unlike last year when you only had two weeks to practice (before the first exhibition game).”

The Wildcats lost a lot of talent from last years team between the three seniors Martavious Irving, Rodney McGruder and Jordan Enriquez, as well as Angel Rodriguez who elected to transfer in the off-season.

Will Spradling, Senior Guard, is expected to move into the point guard position which he worked on while overseas this summer,”The biggest thing I did overseas was play all point guard over there and that helped out a lot and kind of got me ready for the season.”

The Wildcats will look to be faster this year and one player in particular has already been working on his conditioning. Thomas Gipson, Junior Forward, spent a lot of time in the gym this summer and proved it by loosing 35 pounds. Gipson said that with the weight loss he is lighter on his feet and can jump quicker and higher than a year ago. “I feel lighter and a lot better about myself, and it is just boosting my confidence.”

K-State will need to rely on some of the incoming freshmen. Coach Weber mentioned that Freshmen Guard, Marcus Foster has shown potential,”I would be surprised if he is not on the court quite a few minutes.” He described Foster as strong, solid and consistent.

The Wildcats open their season on November 1st, with an exhibition game against Pittsburg State at Bramlage Coliseum.