KANSAS STATE (19-8, 8-6 Big 12) vs. TEXAS (16-11, 6-8 Big 12)

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 >> 8 p.m. CT >> Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) >> Manhattan, Kan.

PROMOTION

Tipoff for TP

The Student-Athlete Advisory Council will be collecting toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags for the Manhattan Emergency Shelter at its annual Tipoff for TP event.

 

COACHES

Kansas State: Bruce Weber (Wis.-Milwaukee ’78)

Overall: 432-231/20th season

At K-State: 119-76/6th season

vs. Texas: 7-5 (3-2 at home)

Texas: Shaka Smart (Kenyon College ’99)

Career Record: 210-102/9th season

Record at Texas: 47-46/3rd season

vs. Kansas State: 2-3 (1-1 on the road)

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

Kansas State (19-8, 8-6 Big 12)

G: #2 Cartier Diarra

G: #5 Barry Brown, Jr.

G: #20 Xavier Sneed

F: #32 Dean Wade

F: #14 Makol Mawien

Texas (16-11, 6-8 Big 12)

G: #2 Matt Coleman

G: #12 Kerwin Roach II

G: #13 Jase Febres

F: #21 Dylan Osetkowski

F: #4 Mo Bamba

SERIES HISTORY

Overall: K-State leads 20-15

In Manhattan: K-State leads 10-5

In Austin: Texas leads 9-8

Big 12 era: Tied 15-15

Active Streak: K-State, 3

Weber vs. Texas: 7-5 (3-2 at home)

Smart vs. K-State: 2-3 (1-1 on the road)

Weber vs. Smart: 3-2 (1-1 at home)

OPENING TIP

Kansas State (19-8, 8-6 Big 12) wraps up a two-game homestand on Wednesday night, as the Wildcats play host to Texas (16-11, 6-8 Big 12) at 8 p.m., CT at Bramlage Coliseum. K-State has won three of its last four games, including a 78-66 win over Iowa State on Saturday to complete the season series for the first time since 2011, while Texas snapped a three-game skid with an impressive 77-66 win at No. 23/23 Oklahoma on Saturday. Wednesday’s game will air on ESPNU and the WatchESPN app with Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Tim Welsh (analyst) on the call.
K-State will finish the regular season with a split of its last four games (two home and two road) beginning on Wednesday against Texas. The Wildcats begin a two-game road swing on Saturday at Oklahoma (16-11, 6-9 Big 12) before playing at TCU (18-9, 6-8 Big 12) on Wednesday, Feb. 27 then host red-hot Baylor (17-10, 7-7 Big 12) in the home finale on Saturday, March 3. The team is 12-3 at Bramlage Coliseum this season, including 4-3 in Big 12 play, and snapped a two-game losing streak in Saturday’s triumph over Iowa State. A win over the Longhorns would guarantee a winning home record in league play for the first time since going 7-2 in 2014-15.
K-State and Texas will meet for the second time in a 15-day span after all five starters scored in double figures in a 67-64 win at the Frank Erwin Center on Feb. 7. It marked the first time since the season opener against American (11/10/17) that all five starters posted double digits, as the Wildcats connected on 53.7 percent (29-of-54) from the field, including 50 percent or better in each half. Overall, the schools will be meeting for the 36th time in their histories, including the 31st time in the Big 12 era, with K-State owning a 20-15 advantage. The last five meetings have been decided by a grand total of 13 points (2.6 ppg.), while the last three matchups at Bramlage Coliseum have been decided by four points or less.
Junior Dean Wade flirted with a triple-double with a game-high 22 points, a career-best 9 assists and a game-tying 8 rebounds, as K-State used a strong second-half effort to defeat Iowa State, 78-66, on Saturday. Tied at 33-all at the half, the Wildcats opened the second half on a 21-6 run en route to building a 19-point lead with 11:45 to play and never trailed by less than double digits the rest of the way. The team connected on 51.7 percent (31-of-60) from the field, including 58.6 percent (17-of-29) after halftime. It marked the 14th time shooting 50 percent or better from the field this season, which is the most in a single season since doing it 19 times in 1987-88. K-State, which had averaged 55.4 points on 36.8 percent shooting in a five-game stretch from Jan. 27 to Feb. 10, has scored 75 or more points in back-to-back games since doing it in three consecutive games from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, 2017.
Balanced scoring has been a key to K-State’s success under coach Bruce Weber, as the Wildcats are 51-18 (.739) when four or more players score in double figures, including 10-2 (.833) this season. The team is 6-0 when sophomore Makol Mawien registers double digits, while they are 7-2 when Diarra scores 10 or more points.

NOTES ON TEXAS

Texas enters Wednesday’s contest with a 16-11 overall record and a 6-8 mark in Big 12 play after posting a 77-66 win at No. 23/23 Oklahoma to snap a three-game slide and sweep the Sooners for the first time since 2011-12. The Longhorns hit on 54.5 percent from the field, including 63 percent in the second half, while holding the nation’s top-ranked offense team to 30.8 percent shooting, including 25.8 percent in the first half. Junior guard Dylan Osetkowski paced four players in double figures with 21 points on 9-of-17 field goals, while freshman phenom Mo Bamba corralled 18 rebounds to go with 10 points and 4 blocks. Junior guard Kerwin Roach II had 12 points, while freshman guard Matt Coleman added 10 points and 5 assists.
The Longhorns are averaging 72.6 points on 44.2 percent shooting, including 31.4 percent from 3-point range, while they are allowing 67.9 points on 41.3 percent from the field, including 32.3 percent from long range. The team is averaging 7.1 3-point field goals per game with eight players totaling at least 13 or more treys. They are also averaging 36.1 rebounds, 11.9 assists, 12.3 turnovers, 6.0 steals and 5.4 blocks per game. Texas is one of the best defensive teams in the country, ranking 14th in blocked shots/game, 43rd in field goal percentage defense and 48th in 3-point field goal percentage. The team is shooting 66.7 percent from the free throw line.
Junior Dylan Osetkowski paces four players in double figures with a team-best 13.9 points per game average on 41.3 percent shooting and 73.6 percent from the free throw line. The Tulane transfer is also averaging 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Freshman Mo Bamba is averaging a double-double with 13.6 points on 53.8 percent shooting, with 11.1 rebounds and 4.1 blocks per game. Bamba ranks second nationally in blocks, while he is ninth in rebounding and 12th in double-doubles (14). Junior Kerwin Roach II is also averaging double figures at 11.9 points on 48 percent shooting, while junior Eric Davis, Jr., and freshman Matt Coleman are averaging 9.0 and 8.9 points per game, respectively, with Davis leading the way with 40 3-point field goals. The team is without sophomore Andrew Jones, who was averaging 13.5 points, before being diagnosed with leukemia.
Texas is led by third-year head coach Shaka Smart, who has a 210-102 (.673) overall record in nine seasons as head coach, which includes an ultra-successful six-year tenure at VCU (2009-15) with five NCAA Tournament appearance and trip to the 2010 Final Four. Smart is 47-46 (.505) in his third season at Texas, which includes a trip to the NCAA Tournament in his first season in 2015-16.

–www.kstatesports.com–

TOM GILBERT
Associate Director for Athletics Communications | K-State Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan. – An 11-year head coach who led Kansas State to the first bowl game in program history, Jim Dickey passed away in Houston, Texas, on Sunday at the age of 84.

Dickey became K-State’s 24^th head coach on December 29, 1977, as he took over a program that had 6-27 record the previous three years. After going a combined 11-22 his first three seasons, Dickey took the unusual approach of redshirting multiple players – including upperclassmen – in 1981 to set the program up for a breakout the next year.

The tactic worked as K-State produced its first winning season in 12 years by going 6-5-1 in 1982, including a 33-10 victory over Colorado in the regular-season finale to propel the Wildcats to their first-ever bowl game, the 1982 Independence Bowl.

For his efforts, Dickey was named the 1982 Big 8 Coach of the Year, just the second conference coach of the year honoree in program history. The 1982 season also produced three All-Big 8 players in split end Mike Wallace, cornerback Greg Best and defensive tackle Reggie Singletary, the most all-conference Wildcats in 12 years.

Dickey’s life will be celebrated on Friday morning in Houston. Arrangements are being handled by Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home.

– k-statesports.com –

 

RYAN LACKEY
Asst. Director/Athletics Communications | K-State Athletics

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of the deal says free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer has reached preliminary agreement on an eight-year contract with the San Diego Padres, pending a physical.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because there had been no formal announcement of Hosmer’s signing, which would become official once he passes a physical early in the week. While the final position players reported Sunday — most were already in spring camp — Hosmer wasn’t expected until at least Monday.

Hosmer, who spent his first seven major league seasons with Kansas City, would receive a reported $144 million.

The 28-year-old, two-time Gold Glove winner hit a career-high .318 and matched his best from the previous season with 25 homers. He drove in 94 runs and scored 98 for the Royals last season. He also had a career-best .385 on-base percentage.

Final Score: Kansas State 78, Iowa State 66

Records: Kansas State 19-8, 8-6 Big 12 // Iowa State 13-13, 4-10 Big 12

Attendance: 9,645

Next Game: Wednesday, Feb. 21 // Texas (16-11, 6-8 Big 12) // 8 p.m. CT // ESPNU

Miscellaneous Notes

• K-State now has a 1,629-1,143 all-time record since basketball play began in 1903.
• K-State is now 364-116 all-time at Bramlage Coliseum since its opening during the 1988-89 season… The 364 victories are the second-most at a home venue… The Wildcats are 163-36 at home over the last 12 seasons, including 70-31 in Big 12 play… Head coach Bruce Weber is now 79-20 at Bramlage Coliseum since taking over at K-State in 2012-13.
• Head coach Bruce Weber is now 432-231 overall in his 20^th season, including a 119-76 mark in his sixth season at K-State… The 119 victories rank fourth all-time in school history and are the most wins since Jack Hartman retired as the winningest coach in school history in 1986 with 295 career victories.
• K-State now leads the all-time series with Iowa State, 139-87, including 81-27 at home… The Cyclones still hold a 24-22 edge since the start of Big 12 play… The Wildcats swept the season series for the first time since 2011 and snapped a two-game losing streak to the Cyclones at Bramlage Coliseum.
• The starting lineup consisted of redshirt freshman Cartier Diarra, junior Barry Brown, Jr., sophomore Xavier Sneed, sophomore Makol Mawien and junior Dean Wade… This is the 12th straight game using this lineup… Brown pushes his team-best streaks of current games played (94) and consecutive starts (73)… It was the 93^rd career start for Wade, including the 72^nd in row… Sneed has now started 29 games, including all 27 this season… It was the 27th start in a row for Mawien and the 12^th straight for Diarra.

Team Notes

• K-State scored 78 points on 51.7 percent shooting (31-of-60), including 40.0 percent (10-of-25) from 3-point range, and went 6-of-8 from the free throw line… It marked the 14^th time connecting on 50 percent or better from the field this season, which is the highest mark since the 1987-88 team hit on 50 percent or better from the field in 19 games.
• K-State hit on double-digit 3-point field goals for the seventh time this season, including the second time in Big 12 play, and the first time since hitting 10 vs. No. 6/7 West Virginia (1/1).
• K-State posted a rebound advantage of 35-28, which marked the eighth time this season out-distancing its opponent, and the first time since at Kansas (1/29)… The 13 offensive rebounds tied for the season-high and were the most since posting 13 vs. UMKC (11/14/17).
• K-State dished out 20 assists on 31 made field goals… It marked the fifth time with at least 20 assists in a game and the first time since vs. SE Missouri State (12/16/17)… It was the most in Big 12 play.
• K-State posted just 12 turnovers, including just 4 in the second half, as the team has 12 turnovers or less in 20 of 27 games this season, including single-digit turnovers on eight occasions.
• K-State out-scored Iowa State, 32-26, in the paint, which marked the 18^th time with at least 30 points in the paint and the 19^th time holding the advantage over the opponent.
• The two teams were tied at 33-all at halftime after K-State led by as many eight points in the first half… It marked the fourth time this season being tied at the half, including the third time in four games.

TOM GILBERT
Associate Director for Athletics Communications | K-State Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder announced Friday that six-year defensive coordinator Tom Hayes has retired, linebackers coach Blake Seiler has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator and Brian Norwood has been hired as Co-Defensive Coordinator tutoring the Wildcat secondary.

Hayes’ retirement completes a career of more than 40 years in the coaching profession that has spanned nine different Division I schools and two NFL teams. He will remain on staff as a quality control coach through the end of his current contract, which expires at the end of April. Hayes has spent the last seven seasons on the K-State staff, including the final six as the defensive coordinator.

“I am appreciative of so many people at Kansas State and throughout my entire career,” Hayes said. “I am thankful for the opportunity Coach Snyder gave me to come to K-State in 2011 and take over the defense in 2012. I really appreciate the players over all these years – they are hard-working and dedicated. Our administration and support staff have been unbelievable, and our fanbase on game day has been just phenomenal.

“We will miss Manhattan – it is a great town full of great people – but Cindy and I are looking forward to the next chapter in our life.”

Hayes has helped the Wildcats earn a collective 61-30 record since 2011, advance to seven bowl games and pick up a Big 12 Championship in 2012.

“We greatly appreciate Tom and Cindy Hayes, who have been with us for seven seasons and together brought so very much to our program,” Snyder said. “They will both be missed.”

Seiler, a three-year letterwinner for the Wildcats (2004-06), coached the defensive ends from 2013-16 before being promoted to assistant defensive coordinator working with the linebackers this past season.

“We are very fortunate to have coaches like Blake Seiler, who is well prepared to step into the coordinator role,” Snyder said. “Blake is a bright young man, quick learner, hard worker and well-received and trusted by our players. He helped coordinate our defense this past year with emphasis on our run defense. Blake is highly respected by our staff and players for his values as well as his passionate teaching.”

A native of Goddard, Kansas, Seiler began his coaching career as a quality control coach (2009-10) and graduate assistant (2011-12) after spending two years as a structural engineer at Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita.

“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity,” Seiler said. “I have been blessed to learn under several great coaches during my time here at K-State, with Coach Snyder and Coach Hayes certainly being the most influential. Our defensive staff is excited to prepare for spring practices and the upcoming season.”

Norwood has spent the last three seasons at Tulsa as associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator coaching the safeties. He is no stranger to the Big 12 having spent time at Texas Tech (2010) and Baylor (2008-14).

“I am so very pleased to have Brian Norwood join our staff as our secondary coach and co-defensive coordinator,” Snyder said. “He comes to us highly recommended by many coaches who I highly respect. Brian is truly a K-State type of person. He is a caring, loyal, genuine, disciplined, hard-working and responsible person with the highest value system – a great family man and a man of faith. We are honored to have he and his wonderful wife Tiffiney, along with his children, join our Wildcat family.”

Norwood has coached in 13 bowl games in his 28-year coaching career, which included seven-year stops at Penn State (2001-07) and Baylor.

“My family and I are extremely happy to be coming to Kansas State University, a program that I have always admired from afar,” Norwood said. “It is a consistently competitive and successful program, one that plays hard and with class. Playing against K-State at other institutions I have been a part of, you always know you are going into a fight against a program that does it the right way. I thank Coach Snyder and the staff for selecting me to be a member of the K-State family. I am excited to contribute to a program with such great leadership. I view coaching as a calling, and I thank God for this great opportunity.”

Hayes, who has been instrumental in the Wildcats’ resurgence on defense since 2011, completed his 29th year of coaching experience at the collegiate level in 2017 and participated in his 20th career bowl game when the Wildcats won the 2017 Cactus Bowl.

K-State finished the 2017 season ranked fourth in the Big 12 in scoring defense (25.2 points per game) and third in rushing defense (117.7 yards per game), the latter ranking 13th in the nation and 10th in school history. The Wildcats also tied for second in the league in turnover margin at plus-10 thanks to 23 takeaways, a mark that ranked fourth in the league.

The Wildcats had one of the better defenses in Big 12 history in 2016 as K-State led the league in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense to become the first Big 12 program to rank first in all three categories since 2008 (Texas). K-State allowed only 115.0 rushing yards per game to rank ninth in school history and 11th in the nation, its highest national ranking in the category since 2003. Additionally, the Wildcats posted their highest national ranking in scoring defense since the 2002 season.

Seiler enters his 10th season on the K-State staff in 2018 and sixth as an assistant coach. After coaching the defensive ends from 2013-16, Seiler was promoted to assistant defensive coordinator in 2017 when he began tutoring the Wildcat linebackers.

It didn’t take long for Seiler put his mark on the second level of the defense as he produced a pair of All-Big 12 linebackers in Jayd Kirby and Trent Tanking in his first season coaching the position. They each ranked in the top 10 in the Big 12 in tackles with Kirby finishing eighth (99) and Tanking tying for 10th (97).

A former defensive lineman, Seiler made an impact from day one as an assistant coach, and one has to look no further than the work he did with defensive ends Jordan Willis (2016) and Ryan Mueller (2014), both of whom tied the single-season sack records during their respective All-American seasons.

Under the direction of Seiler for his entire four-year career, Willis picked up Second Team All-America honors from Sporting News and Pro Football Focus thanks to his 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in 2016. Willis also became the first Wildcat defensive lineman to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and was the league’s Defensive Lineman of the Year prior to being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Norwood’s time at Baylor included three seasons as the defensive coordinator (2008-10) in which he oversaw a unit that totaled nine All-Big 12 honorees and two All-Americans. During the Bears’ 2013 Big 12 Championship season, Norwood coached First Team All-American Ahmad Dixon, while both of Baylor’s 2011 starting safeties, Mike Hicks and Sam Holl, earned All-Big 12 honors. Holl finished second on the squad with 113 total tackles and Hicks was third with 105, and each had three interceptions. In 2010, Norwood coached First Team All-Big 12 honoreeByron Landor, who totaled 127 tackles.

Norwood will serve under a second Hall of Fame head coach in Snyder as he was an assistant under Joe Paterno at Penn State from 2001-07. During Norwood’s seven seasons in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions led the Big Ten in pass efficiency defense twice (2004 and 2005) and finished third on two occasions (2003 and 2006). Penn State ranked among the nation’s top 25 in pass efficiency defense four times, including a No. 4 ranking in 2004.

Norwood’s other coaching stops include tutoring the defensive backs at Navy (1995-99), while his first full-time coaching job was coaching the outside linebackers at Richmond (1992-94) after serving two years as a graduate assistant at Arizona (1990-91).

Norwood was a four-year letterwinner at both cornerback and safety at Hawaii (1984-87) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication in 1988. He and his wife, Tiffiney, have five children: Gabriel, Jordan, Levi, Brianna and Zaccariah. Gabriel was a member of George Mason’s 2006 men’s basketball Final Four team. Jordan played eight seasons in the NFL – including the 2015 campaign with the Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos – while Levi was a four-year letterwinner at Baylor (2011-14).

– k-statesports.com –

RYAN LACKEY
Asst. Director/Athletics Communications | K-State Athletics