As Kansas State heads into the 2013-2014 coach Bruce Weber knows his older players have to be consistent if the Wildcats are going to be competitive in the Big 12 Conference.

Weber told a Big 12 Media Day audience the Wildcats lost some key players such as Rodney McGruder, Jordan Henriquez, and Martavious Irving. “The key for us to be competitive in the league there’s no doubt our older guys have to be consistent, starting with our seniors Will Spradling, Shane Southwell, Omari Lawrence, Ryan Schulz. They have to be there every day got to be great leaders.

Weber noted 6’8 junior Thomas Gipson has lost 30 pounds and has a chance to be one of the better players in the league.

He said there are some talented freshman but every day is new to them.

The Wildcats lost Angel Rodriguez during the offseason when he decided to transfer out of the program. He would up at Miami.

Will Spradling will get the opportunity to replace at the point guard position for Kansas State. Weber stated, “Early we’re going to have to play well at the point, pretty much most of the game. Weber added it will take away from Spradling’s scoring so Shane Southwell and Thomas Gipson will be needed to “step up.”

“I think in the future Marcus Foster can shoot and he can score the basketball, freshman from Wichita Falls, Texas. He can score, Jevon Thomas is very, very talented but we’re not going to get him until Christmas so he’s kind out of our thoughts right now.” Weber added for the long term future those two players will be special for Kansas State.

The Wildcats open the season November 1 at Bramlage Coliseum with an exhibition game against Pittsburg State. Their first regular season will be Northern Colorado at Bramlage November 8.