The Kansas State women’s basketball team opens their season at Tulsa Friday night.

This will be the 48th season of Wildcat women’s basketball. Tipoff Friday evening is set for 7 p.m.

The Wildcats completed a two-game exhibition schedule with a 2-0 record. They held their foes to a .275 field goal percentage, but were outrebounded 75-67.

K-state was led in the two exhibitions by junior center Breanna Lewis, junior guard Kindred Wesemann, and senior guard Megan Deines. Lewis averaged a team-high 16.0 points, with 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. Wesemann achieved an average of 15.5 points, including a team exhibition high of 23 points against Pittsburg State, and 2.5 steals. deines tallied 10.0 points.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – Kansas is still waiting for the NCAA to rule on the status of five-star recruit Cheick Diallo, adding another layer of intrigue to the start of the college hoops season in the Sunflower State.

Jayhawks coach Bill Self, whose team plays Northern Colorado on Friday, said Thursday there has still been no movement in Diallo’s case. The Mali native has been cleared to practice but is barred from participating in games for fourth-ranked Kansas.

There are plenty of questions accompany Kansas State and Wichita State, too.

The Wildcats are essentially starting over after losing nearly a full roster worth of players to graduation and transfer, while the No. 10 Shockers are considered Final Four contenders.

Kansas State opens against Maryland-Eastern Shore. Wichita State plays Charleston Southern.

GAME 1

UMES (0-0, 0-0 MEAC)

AT KANSAS STATE (0-0, 0-0 Big 12)

Friday, November 13, 2015 >> 7:10 p.m. CT >> Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) >> Manhattan, Kan.

TICKETS

www.kstatesports.com/tickets
(800) 221.CATS
$10 (bench)  |  $20 (chairbacks)  |  $5 (12+group)
Bramlage Bundle: $20 (GA/Bench ticket + $10 concessions voucher + souvenir)

COACHES
Kansas State: Bruce Weber (Wis.-Milwaukee ’78)
Overall: 375-193/18th season
At K-State: 62-38/4th season
vs. UMES: 1-0

UMES: Bobby Collins (Eastern Kentucky ’91)
Overall: 198-182/14th season
At UMES: 18-15/2nd season
vs. Kansas State: 0-0

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
Kansas State (0-0)
G: #3 Kamau Stokes (6-0, 170, Fr.-HS)
G: #14 Justin Edwards (6-4, 200, Sr.-1L)
G: #25 Wesley Iwundu (6-7, 210, Jr.-2L)
F: #32 Dean Wade (6-10, 225, Fr.-HS)
F: #41 Stephen Hurt (6-11, 265, Sr.-1L)

UMES (0-0)
G: #1 Marc Seylan (6-4, 190, Jr.-TR)
G: #4 Devin Martin (6-4, 205, Sr.-1L)
G: #21 Bakari Copeland (6-6, 235, Jr.-TR)
G: #24 Derrico Peck (6-7, 205, Gr.-TR)
F: #32 Dominique Elliott (6-9, 225, Sr.-1L)

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: K-State leads 2-0
vs. Mid-Eastern Athletic: K-State leads 26-0 (26-0 at home)
In Manhattan: K-State leads 2-0 (last meeting: 11/22/2011)
In Princess Anne: n/a
Current Streak: K-State, 2
Last Meeting: K-State won 92-50 in Manhattan (11/22/2011)
Weber vs. Collins: First meeting

QUICK HITTERS
•             Kansas State officially tips off the 112th season of men’s basketball on Friday, as the Wildcats play host to MEAC memberMaryland-Eastern Shore [UMES] (0-0) at 7 p.m. CT at Bramlage Coliseum.
•             The match-up is the first of two Opening Games of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic, which concludes on Monday against Columbia (0-0). K-State plays in the championship round of the tournament, Nov.  23-24, at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, beginning with Missouri at 6 p.m. CT on Nov. 23.
•             Friday’s opener is the first of three straight for the Wildcats at home to start the season, including Monday’s doubleheader tilt with Columbia and concluding with South Dakota on Friday, Nov. 20.
•             K-State is 86-25 (.775) all-time in season openers dating back to the first season in 1903, including a 74-9 (.892) mark at home.
•             The Wildcats are 21-2 (.913) in season openers at Bramlage Coliseum, which includes a 16-game winning streak from 1995-2012. The 2 losses have come to Southern Miss (Nov. 27, 1993) and Northern Colorado (Nov. 8, 2013). Overall, the team is 23-4 (.852) at Bramlage in home openers.
•             K-State has a 71-5 (.934) record at home in non-conference play dating back to 2006-07, including a 69-4 (.945) mark during the regular season. The squad has won 60 of its last 63 non-conference home games.
•             Bruce Weber is 15-2 (.882) in his 17-year head coaching career in openers (Southern Illinois and Illinois), including a 15-1 mark in home openers. His 2 losses have come in 1989 (SIU) and 2013 (K-State).
•             Weber is 44-7 (.863) at Bramlage Coliseum since taking over as head coach with losses to No. 3 Kansas (2012), Northern Colorado (2013), Baylor (2013), Texas Southern (2014), Georgia (2014), West Virginia (2015) and Texas (2015). The 7 losses have come by a total of 24 points (3.4 ppg.).
•             K-State won its 2014 season opener, 98-68, over Southern Utah, as the Wildcats connected on 58.7 percent (27-of-46) from the field, including 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from 3-point range. Six players scored in double figures, including 11 each by Justin Edwards and Stephen Hurt.
•             The 98 points were the most scored in the Bruce Weber era and the most scored in an opener since UTSA (103, Nov. 23, 1991). The team also set Weber era highs for free throws made (34) and attempted (48).
•             K-State went 2-0 in exhibition play defeating Emporia State, 80-42, on Oct. 30 and Fort Hays State, 70-52, on Nov. 6. The Wildcats have now won 18 consecutive home exhibition games dating back to 2004.

–www.kstatesports.com–

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

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head coach Bruce Weber announced the signing of high school standout Xavier Sneed (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) on the first day of the Fall National Signing Period on Wednesday.

A 6-foot-5, 180-pound small forward, Sneed is considered one of the Top 150 prep players in the country, according to most recruiting services, ranking No. 92 in the Rivals150 and No. 140 by 247Sports. He is considered one of the top small forward prospects nationally, ranking No. 21 by Scout and No. 31 by 247Sports. He is also rated a Top 5 recruit in the state of Missouri, including No. 2 by Scout and No. 3 by 247Sports.

“We have had our attention on Xavier since we arrived here (in 2012) and (associate head coach) Chris (Lowery) has done a great job with his recruitment,” said Weber. “He is an elite athlete who has developed into a standout on both the football field and basketball court and would’ve been a high-level prospect in either sport. As a basketball player, he is a slasher who excels at not only driving to the rim, but has also developed into a very good 3-point shooter. Since giving up football, he has spent a considerable amount of time honing his basketball skills. He has tremendous upside and the ability to be a high-level defender.”

Sneed has helped Hazelwood Central to 46 wins the past two seasons, including back-to-back Suburban XII North titles, while he has enjoyed tremendous success playing for the St. Louis Eagles U17 team, which lost in the championship game of the 24-team Peach Jam Tournament this summer. The Peach Jam is the season-ending tournament for Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League. The Eagles, who count current NBA players Bradley Beal, Tyler Hansbrough and David Lee as alums, could produce as many as four Division I signees in 2016.

“Xavier is not only a great young man and student from a great family,” said Weber. “He has had the opportunity to play for one of the best high school programs in the state of Missouri – Hazelwood Central – as well as one of the top AAU programs in the St. Louis Eagles. He is a tremendous addition to our basketball team.”

Sneed is the first St. Louis area signee since current junior D.J. Johnson (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway North) in 2012.

Xavier Sneed

6-5 // 180 // SF

Florissant, Mo.

High School: Hazelwood Central (coached by Josh Martin)

AAU: St. Louis Eagles (coached by Corey Frazier)

Primary Recruiter: Chris Lowery

Bio:

• A consensus Top 150 prospect by most recruiting services, ranking No. 92 in the 2016 Rivals150 and No. 140 by 247Sports… He is also among the top small forward prospects nationally, placing No. 21 by Scout and No. 31 by 247Sports… He is considered one of the Top 5 players in the state of Missouri.
• Led Hazelwood Central to 23-6 overall record and a No. 4 final St. Louis Post-Dispatch large school ranking in 2014-15… The Hawks shared the Suburban XII North title with a 3-2 mark and advanced to the Class 5 quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual state champion Chaminade.
• Named to the 2015 Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Class 5 All-State team as a junior.
• Selected to the 2015 St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro Third Team.
• Averaged a team-leading 18.7 points on 53.4 percent shooting (179-of-335), including 40.2 percent (49-of-122) from 3-point range, to go with 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks per game as a junior in 2014-15… Also connected on 76.8 percent (136-of-177) from the free throw line… Made 61 percent (130-of-213) from inside the 3-point arc… Played in all 29 games.
• Ranked among the Top 25 in the St. Louis area in scoring (543 points) and was in the Top 30 in free throw percentage.
• Led the team in scoring, field goals made and attempted, 3-point field goals, free throws made, attempted and percentage and steals, while he was third in rebounding, offensive rebounds and blocks.
• Averaged a team-leading 23 points in league-only games on 61.5 percent (40-of-65) shooting from the field, including 50 percent (12-of-24) from 3-point range, to go with 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.2 assists per game.
• Averaged 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per game as a sophomore in 2013-14… Ranked first in rebounding, second in steals and third in scoring and blocks.
• Also a standout wide receiver on the football team, where he helped the Hawks post a 23-2 combined record in 2013 and 2014… Tallied 38 catches for 717 yards and seven touchdowns as the team’s top wide receiver as a junior in 2014, in which, the Hawks posted an 11-1 record and 5-0 mark in conference play… Ranked third in total yards (717) and fourth in points (44)… Posted three 100-yard receiving games, including 151 yards vs. McCluer North (9/27/2014) on just four catches.
• Did not play football as a senior in 2015 to fully concentrate on basketball.
• Played for the elite St. Louis Eagles U17 squad this past summer, which lost in the championship game of the Peach Jam… Averaged 6.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 17 games.

Hazelwood Central Head Coach Josh Martin:

“I’m very excited for everyone involved. Xavier is going to great place with great tradition under an excellent coach in Bruce Weber. Coach Weber and his staff did a great job in recruiting him from the start. K-State is getting a high-level athlete who brings energy every night. He can do a lot of different things from attacking the rim to shooting the 3. What makes him special is that he can make shots and finish at the rim. He is also a high-level defender. I know he is very excited to be a Wildcat.”

–www.kstatesports.com–

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

NEW YORK (AP) – Catcher and World Series MVP Salvador Perez, first baseman Eric Hosmer and shortstop Alcides Escobar top the American League’s gold glove winners. Other AL Gold Glove winners are Houston pitcher Dallas Keuchel, Houston second baseman Jose Altuve, Baltimore third baseman Manny Macado, Detroit outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (who was traded in late July to the NL Mets), Tampa Bay outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and the L.A. Angels’ Kole Calhoun.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota says it has signed football coach Tracy Claeys to a three-year contract.

The Clay Center, Kan., native succeeds his good friend Jerry Kill, who resigned his position on Oct. 28, 2015, due to health reasons.

#Gophers name Tracy Claeys Head Football Coach, sign him to a three-year deal. Details coming shortly. pic.twitter.com/wiNPE1HQKP

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 11, 2015

Claeys served on Kill’s staff for 21 years and was named Interim Head Coach following Kill’s resignation in late October. In that capacity, Claeys led the Gophers against No. 15 Michigan and No. 1 Ohio State.

Claeys initially joined the Minnesota staff on Dec. 10, 2010, when Kill hired him as defensive coordinator. Claeys was Minnesota’s Acting Head Coach in 2013 for seven games and led the Gophers to a 4-3 mark, which included consecutive wins against Northwestern, Nebraska, Indiana and Penn State. It was the first time since 1973 that Minnesota won four straight conference games in the same season.

Claeys was nominated for the Frank Broyles Award (top college assistant coach) in each of the past two seasons and was promoted to Associate Head Coach prior to the 2014 season.

As defensive coordinator at Minnesota, Claeys has transformed the Gopher defense into one of the best in the Big Ten.

Minnesota allowed 380 points in 2011 and 321 points in 2012. In 2013, its third season under Claeys’ leadership, the Gopher defense allowed only 289 points. It marked the first time that Minnesota allowed fewer than 300 points in a full season since 2004.

In 2013, Minnesota ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 25th in the nation by allowing only 22.2 points per game. The Gophers were at their best when it mattered most. The defense led the Big Ten and finished 15th nationally in red zone defense. Minnesota opponents scored on just 74 percent of their trips inside the 20.

Last season, Minnesota allowed 314 points (24.2 points per game) to rank sixth in the Big Ten and tied for 33rd nationally. The defense’s 15 fumble recoveries and 15 interceptions helped Minnesota to a plus-10 turnover margin (second in the Big Ten and 15th in the nation).

The Gophers have held 27 of their last 35 opponents below their scoring average. In 18 of those games, Minnesota held it opposition to eight or more points below their season average and in seven games the Gophers held this opponents to 14 or more points below their season average.

In the past two years, Claeys has coached four first-team All-Big Ten selections. Damien Wilson and Briean Boddy-Calhoun were honored in 2014, while Ra’Shede Hageman and Brock Vereen were recognized in 2013. Hageman and Vereen were the first Gopher defensive players to be recognized by the conference since 2008.

Claeys-coached players are also catching the attention of NFL teams at an increasing rate. Damien Wilson and Cedric Thompson were both selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, while former standouts Cameron Botticelli and Derrick Wells signed free agent contracts. Hageman and Vereen were both picked in the 2014 draft. Under Claeys, Minnesota has had four defensive players selected in the past two NFL Drafts. The Gophers had the same number of defensive players selected from 2003-10, an eight-year span.

Claeys started his coaching career at Santa Fe Trail High School in 1994. He joined Kill in 1995 at Saginaw Valley State, where he coached the defensive line. Claeys became Kill’s defensive coordinator at Emporia State in 1999. He remained in that capacity when Kill took over at Southern Illinois in 2001 and Northern Illinois in 2008.

In 2008, his first season at Northern Illinois, Claeys and the defensive staff engineered one of the biggest turnarounds in the country, as the Huskies led the MAC in pass defense, scoring defense and total defense. The Huskies finished in the top 20 nationally in three categories – fifth in pass defense, 14th in scoring defense and 17th in total defense.

Claeys’ defense topped the MAC and ranked 30th in the country in total defense the following year. The Huskies were also among the top 30 FBS teams in the country in scoring defense that season.

In 2010, Claeys led a Northern Illinois defensive unit that was ranked No. 14 in the nation and No. 1 in the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense, allowing an average of just 19 points per game. The Huskies were also No. 32 in the nation in pass efficiency defense, No. 27 in total defense and No. 27 in rushing defense in Claeys’ final season.

In his last five years at Southern Illinois, Claeys’ defenses allowed an average of 18.5 points while holding opponents to 14 points or less 21 times, which included five shutouts. In 2007, Southern Illinois reached the FCS national semifinal and its defense ranked as the 10th-best FCS scoring defense in the country and the second-best scoring defense at SIU since 1983. They also intercepted 21 passes to rank fourth in the nation.

In 2004, Southern Illinois led the country in scoring defense, allowing just 13.2 points per game. The Salukis gave up only 101.7 yards per game on the ground while snagging 17 interceptions.

Claeys’ pre-Minnesota resume also includes coaching several standout defensive players, most recently Northern Illinois’ Larry English, the first-round draft choice of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers in 2009. Claeys also coached Seattle Seahawks’ 1999 first-round draft choice Lamar King at Saginaw Valley State and tutored linebacker Bart Scott at Southern Illinois and defensive end Paul Spicer at Saginaw Valley St.

Claeys, who attended both Kansas and Kansas State, graduated with a degree in Mathematics Education in 1994 from Kansas State. He is one of nine current Division I FBS head coaches who did not play collegiate football.

THE CLAEYS FILE

Coaching Experience
Nov. 11, 2015-present: Minnesota – Head Coach
Oct. 28, 2015-Nov. 11, 2015: Minnesota – Interim Head Coach
2014-15: Minnesota – Associate Head Coach
2011-15: Minnesota – Defensive Coordinator
2008-10: Northern Illinois – Defensive Coordinator
2001-07: Southern Illinois – Defensive Coordinator
1999-2000: Emporia State – Defensive Coordinator
1995-98: Saginaw Valley State – Defensive Line
1994: Santa Fe Trail HS – Co-Defensive Coordinator

College B.A., Kansas State, 1994

High School Clay Center (Kan.) Community, 1987

Birthplace Clay Center, Kan.

Birthdate December 25, 1968