...

**Saulbadguy** · 11-15-2009, 11:54 AM

I know there are enough of us to participate in this thread, even when our seasons inevitably go to shit.

KSU vs Western Illinois today, tip-off at 3:00 pm.

One thing I noticed near the end of the game on Friday night - we had 5 true freshman on the court, and still played sound basketball. None of them were scrub walk-ons either. While I don't think we will make a serious run at anything this year, the foundation is being laid for a solid program in the future.

**ChiTown** · 12-17-2009, 10:47 PM

http://uponfurtherreview.kansascity.com/?q=node/1723

Sorry, Frank

There it is. An apology. In a bizarre world in which Frank Martin actually reads this blog and cares what it said, hopefully we're cool now.

Because, man, most of us really thought he was a dope, right?

He was a high school coach, and a reportedly shady one at that. He wore his suits too big, his hair too slick, and his players too hard.

K-State hired him in some sad desperation after Bob Huggins left, like a Harrah's degenerate doubling down with his rent money. They kept him to keep Michael Beasley*, to keep Bill Walker, to keep some relevance in the wild world of college basketball -- a world that's stacked against Kansas State in the first place.

* Speaking of Beasley, good to see him playing so well in his second NBA season, particularly after the troubles over the summer.

Once Beasley left, K-State would be exposed as a sorry program and Martin as a high-profile babysitter who would be fired and then disappear into the AAU circuit.

At least, that was the script. Except here he is anyway, head coach of the 9-1 Wildcats -- No. 17 in the polls and No. 1 in RPI -- with a beautifully put together roster of strong and experienced guards with an athletic frontline that's navigated through a tough schedule and looks every bit like the third-best team in a strong Big 12.

They've blown out Xavier, Washington State and UNLV. They've beaten Atlantic-10 favorite Dayton.

Most of us thought Martin got the job just so Beasley would come to K-State. It was a short-sighted decision, we said. Instead, Beasley is long gone and the Cats have their highest ranking since 1988. Martin is building a program.

Martin and his staff have built the kind of team that most every coach in the country would love to have, and the kind of team that most every fan in the country would love to cheer for -- sort of like Mizzou last year.

Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente lead the team in scoring (and in general), two combo guards who can switch on and off the point depending on the game situation. Curtis Kelly and Jamar Samuels give the Cats strength and athleticism on the front line, complemented nicely by Dominique Sutton and others.

All that's nice, but perhaps the most encouraging part is that freshman Wally Judge has essentially been a non-factor so far.

In another world -- the world we expected -- this would be an NIT-at-best situation. Judge was a McDonald's All-American, a top 20 player nationally, and an early commit to K-State which allowed the hype to grow.

Judge was expected to be a star, at least on some nights, and instead is playing 13.9 minutes a game with 3.8 points. He's started the last three games, but still hasn't played as much as some of the reserves coming in for him and here is where we might be seeing just how wrong so many of us were about Frank Martin.

Judge isn't playing more, it seems, because he's not giving the sort of consistent effort and defense that Martin demands. This is much different than the Martin we expected, the coach who would've ignored the deficiencies of his most talented players, or maybe panicked, but either way would be incapable of leading a 9-1 team through a difficult schedule without its hotshot, future pro freshman doing much.

The message, now, is clear. Judge can either do what Martin is expecting, or the Wildcats can continue to play well without him. Martin holds all the cards, all the credibility.

This is a long way from the charicature many of us saw, of a guy who put Beasley in the game and then screamed from the sidelines while his players called him "Frank."

Martin's reputation now is of a coach whose team plays as hard as anybody in the conference. His situation now is leading a top 20 team that he put together.

Good for him, for making it happen. And good for us, for being able to watch.

Submitted by Sam Mellinger on December 17, 2009 - 9:50am.

WilliamTheIrish · 12-19-2009, 08:36 AM

Frank earned that. But let's not step on our d*cks just yet.

Alabama in Mobile tonight.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 12-19-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Frank earned that. But let's not step on our d*cks just yet.

Alabama in Mobile tonight.

pleasantly surprised the game's in Mobile....what an odd deal...

**Saulbadguy** · 12-19-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

pleasantly surprised the game's in Mobile....what an odd deal...

We will play Alabama in either Wichita or Kansas City for the return trip.

WilliamTheIrish · 12-19-2009, 08:53 AM

I think I get the game tonight. TWC channel 20?

WilliamTheIrish · 12-19-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

We will play Alabama in either Wichita or Kansas City for the return trip.

Wichita? That game better be in KC.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 12-19-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

We will play Alabama in either Wichita or Kansas City for the return trip.

it's interesting though, we are the second game of a doubleheader. The first game being South Alabama vs. UAB. The game is being played in USA's house, with both games on the same ticket, so probably not many true Alabama fans there...

Games being hosted by the GMAC Bowl...

**Saulbadguy** · 12-19-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Wichita? That game better be in KC.

Wichita would be a good draw with the new arena built.

WilliamTheIrish · 12-19-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Wichita would be a good draw with the new arena built.

Really? I wasn't aware Wichita was building an arena. Thought they'd play it in the Kansas Coliseum.

Kansascity.com show the game on channel 20 for TW scripts. But looking on theiur website, it doesn't list the game. *sigh*.

It better be on here.

sedated · 12-19-2009, 09:35 AM

how good is Bama hoops this year?

I'm kinda expecting a strong KSU win

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 12-19-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

how good is Bama hoops this year?

I'm kinda expecting a strong KSU win

Line is KSU -3

WilliamTheIrish · 12-19-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

how good is Bama hoops this year?

I'm kinda expecting a strong KSU win

7-3. Coached by Anthony Grant. Former AC at UFla. under Donovan. Was elevated to Ass. HC the year they won the first of two straight NCAA titles. Grant and Martin worked in the same AAU and High School in Miami.

Left for VCU and was very successful 76-25 over all and 45-9 in conference. (Colonial Athletic Conference). B to B sweet 16's before moving to UAla.

He was one of the names that a great deal of our very phogtards were insisting KSU hire because after Huggins left Martin was so unethical.

I may have to visit the archives.

**Saulbadguy** · 12-19-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Really? I wasn't aware Wichita was building an arena. Thought they'd play it in the Kansas Coliseum.

Kansascity.com show the game on channel 20 for TW scripts. But looking on theiur website, it doesn't list the game. *sigh*.

It better be on here.

http://www.intrustbankarena.com/

WilliamTheIrish · 12-19-2009, 10:04 AM

Cool. Thanks Saully.

kstater · 12-19-2009, 10:10 AM

Keep the intensity up and the Cats should have the talent to win this.

11-15-2009, 11:54 AM
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Saulbadguy's Avatar Join Date: Nov 2003	*The Official EMAW Repository thread* I know there are enough of us to participate in this thread, even when our seasons inevitably go to shit. KSU vs Western Illinois today, tip-off at 3:00 pm. One thing I noticed near the end of the game on Friday night - we had 5 true freshman on the court, and still played sound basketball. None of them were scrub walk-ons either. While I don't think we will make a serious run at anything this year, the foundation is being laid for a solid program in the future.
Posts: 46,972

12-17-2009, 10:47 PM	#406
ChiTown Stroking to the SB Champs! ChiTown's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Flatlands of Kansas	About F ucking time http://uponfurtherreview.kansascity.com/?q=node/1723 Sorry, Frank There it is. An apology. In a bizarre world in which Frank Martin actually reads this blog and cares what it said, hopefully we're cool now. Because, man, most of us really thought he was a dope, right? He was a high school coach, and a reportedly shady one at that. He wore his suits too big, his hair too slick, and his players too hard. K-State hired him in some sad desperation after Bob Huggins left, like a Harrah's degenerate doubling down with his rent money. They kept him to keep Michael Beasley, to keep Bill Walker, to keep some relevance in the wild world of college basketball -- a world that's stacked against Kansas State in the first place. Speaking of Beasley, good to see him playing so well in his second NBA season, particularly after the troubles over the summer. Once Beasley left, K-State would be exposed as a sorry program and Martin as a high-profile babysitter who would be fired and then disappear into the AAU circuit. At least, that was the script. Except here he is anyway, head coach of the 9-1 Wildcats -- No. 17 in the polls and No. 1 in RPI -- with a beautifully put together roster of strong and experienced guards with an athletic frontline that's navigated through a tough schedule and looks every bit like the third-best team in a strong Big 12. They've blown out Xavier, Washington State and UNLV. They've beaten Atlantic-10 favorite Dayton. Most of us thought Martin got the job just so Beasley would come to K-State. It was a short-sighted decision, we said. Instead, Beasley is long gone and the Cats have their highest ranking since 1988. Martin is building a program. Martin and his staff have built the kind of team that most every coach in the country would love to have, and the kind of team that most every fan in the country would love to cheer for -- sort of like Mizzou last year. Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente lead the team in scoring (and in general), two combo guards who can switch on and off the point depending on the game situation. Curtis Kelly and Jamar Samuels give the Cats strength and athleticism on the front line, complemented nicely by Dominique Sutton and others. All that's nice, but perhaps the most encouraging part is that freshman Wally Judge has essentially been a non-factor so far. In another world -- the world we expected -- this would be an NIT-at-best situation. Judge was a McDonald's All-American, a top 20 player nationally, and an early commit to K-State which allowed the hype to grow. Judge was expected to be a star, at least on some nights, and instead is playing 13.9 minutes a game with 3.8 points. He's started the last three games, but still hasn't played as much as some of the reserves coming in for him and here is where we might be seeing just how wrong so many of us were about Frank Martin. Judge isn't playing more, it seems, because he's not giving the sort of consistent effort and defense that Martin demands. This is much different than the Martin we expected, the coach who would've ignored the deficiencies of his most talented players, or maybe panicked, but either way would be incapable of leading a 9-1 team through a difficult schedule without its hotshot, future pro freshman doing much. The message, now, is clear. Judge can either do what Martin is expecting, or the Wildcats can continue to play well without him. Martin holds all the cards, all the credibility. This is a long way from the charicature many of us saw, of a guy who put Beasley in the game and then screamed from the sidelines while his players called him "Frank." Martin's reputation now is of a coach whose team plays as hard as anybody in the conference. His situation now is leading a top 20 team that he put together. Good for him, for making it happen. And good for us, for being able to watch. Submitted by Sam Mellinger on December 17, 2009 - 9:50am.
Posts: 39,390

12-19-2009, 08:36 AM	#407
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year WilliamTheIrish's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2001	Frank earned that. But let's not step on our d*cks just yet. Alabama in Mobile tonight.
Posts: 34,675

12-19-2009, 08:53 AM	#410
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year WilliamTheIrish's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2001	I think I get the game tonight. TWC channel 20?
Posts: 34,675

12-19-2009, 09:35 AM	#415
sedated Like I woke up in Wonderland.. sedated's Avatar Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KCMO	how good is Bama hoops this year? I'm kinda expecting a strong KSU win
Posts: 18,632

12-19-2009, 10:04 AM	#419
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year WilliamTheIrish's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2001	Cool. Thanks Saully.
Posts: 34,675

12-19-2009, 10:10 AM	#420
kstater Custom User Title kstater's Avatar Join Date: Jan 2007	Keep the intensity up and the Cats should have the talent to win this.
Posts: 39,192