Archive for Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Finley: Kansas State hoops return with Beasley

January 30, 2008

The State of Kansas can well be proud of two of their basketball teams who are undefeated and are tied for the Big 12 Conference lead.

Kansas is ranked third in the college polls entering Wednesday's showdown in Manhattan.

The Wildcats have surprised many doubters with a 3-0 Conference record.

And coach Bill Self's Jayhawks are at 5-0.

My Grandson, Lance, a student at Kansas State told me, "Grandpa, the Cats are back."

I am inclined to agree, but there is a long way to go in the regular season

I don't believe in rankings by the pollsters, but I do believe in the law of averages.

Kansas has won 24 consecutive games at Manhattan and would have to play real well to beat the Wildcats.

Regardless of the outcome of Wednesday's game, when the two teams play again the Wildcats will place all their hopes on two players, Michael Beasley and Billy Walker. Meanwhile Self said he believes in spreading the points around and almost every game has starters in double figures.

Big 12 teams have tried everything to shut down Beasley putting two or three players on him.

I am not predicting the KU K-State game but I am sure Self has a defensive plan.

Going back to my belief of the law of averages, I would probably give Kansas the edge.

Wildcat Coach Frank Martin has done a fine job in building the team around his two top recruits, Beasley and Walker.

If the Wildcats come out victorious I am sure I will get a call from my grandson, Lance.

In studying the Jayhawks, Kansas may have their best team since the 1988 team that won the NCAA national title. The Jayhawks have been real productive with their five starters with most of them scoring in double figures and they also play a solid defense.

Kansas is a very unselfish team by spreading the ball around to everyone and also, their team play has been great.

I imagine Coach Bob Huggins wishes he had the two Wildcats on the team in West Virginia.

I have been expecting Brandon Rush to have a good game in scoring and rebounds.

The Jayhawks have the best all around team, but I would not have wagered too much on them defeating the Wildcats.

When you look down the rosters of these two teams it would be great for Kansas to combine with K-State, however, I don't know how Self could give his players enough playing time.

I am sure Martin is hoping Beasley and Walker will return next year passing up a chance to play in the NBA.

As I stated it still is a long season and with the return of the Sooners 7-foot freshman, they are still in contention as well as Texas and Missouri. Missouri is still having their problems with off the court incidents. They have lost possibly their best guard for four to six weeks. Stephon Hannah has been a consistent scorer but he is now sidelined with a broken jaw received in a fight in Columbia. Baylor has been a surprise team in the Big 12 and is still in contention.

Finally, my grandsons caused me to have a great dilemma a year ago with Lance going to Kansas State and Travis graduating from KU.

Who is a proud grandpa to cheer for?

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