K-State Football
Despite the lack of fanfare, K-State signed a solid football recruiting class. The group was heavy on high school seniors, which should help build long-term depth.
Recruiting is just one aspect of running a college football program. Player development is just as important, and Bill Snyder and his staff have made a very nice living by specializing in that aspect.
K-State Basketball
After Tuesday's disappointing loss at Iowa State, the Wildcats need to rebound quickly and get ready for improving Texas A&M, who visits Bramlage on Saturday for the final time.
Big Game Saturday
Maybe you don't give a damn about Saturday's Border War in Columbia. But even if you don't, tthis piece by RMN's Michael Atchison is worth a readd for what it says about all rivalries, not just the Border War.
West Virginia
A West Virginia judge refused to stay West Virginia University's lawsuit against the Big East while the Big East's later-filed lawsuit in Rhode Island is pending. The circumstances surrounding this litigation is just strange.
0 recs | 66 comments
wrong linkage on the RMN article.
Sends you to CJonline story about Cats rebounding quickly after not getting calls in the ISU game.
Jeremy Sharp - February 3, 2012
Fixed now, thanks
TB - February 3, 2012
I'm still pissed about the ISU game
Glad the link mistake was made so I can vent some more!
Hope we take our anger out on the next 3 Texas foes we face.
//shakes head in disgust
BeYard2 - February 3, 2012
Sigh.
You expect this from the national media and recruiting service rankings like Rivals and Scout (by the way, where did we end up ranked by Rivals? – they only show the top 50 on their site as of yesterday). But you would think that a paper that covers the Big-12 would be a bit wiser about judging K-State classes by now – particularly after they gave last year’s class a ‘D’. Guess they’ll just have to wait until the fall to see another poor haul by Bill Snyder help contribute to another ’Cats winning season.
CT-K-Stater - February 3, 2012
At what point will GPA come into all this...
Any data that suggests 5 star guys with D’s are any more or less successful than 3 star guys with A’s?
Is that even measurable? What was Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers outta highschool?
BeYard2 - February 3, 2012
eh class ranking are just like pre-season rankings
worthless, a guess at best. I like that they dog our classes that continually outperform.
mjk7166 - February 3, 2012
I actually like it, too
It keeps us under-the-radar and proves that these “experts” are eminently fallible. Besides, the rankings are meaningless in the big picture. However, my point is simply that if you are to rank classes, then surely a periodical that covers the Big-12 would be wise to the methods and recruiting strategy of respective programs or coaches by now and accordingly judge them on a different scale than the bigger recruiting services (I believe Scout had our class ranked in the high 80s nationally – the high 80s).
The link I posted to seemed to view greyshirts unfavorably judging by their wording, which I find odd as I believe it gives KSU and schools that opt to go that route an advantage in allowing their players to acclimate to college life, get a head-start in system and develop physically. Why that would be perceived as a weakness is beyond me. Further, they gave our class a ‘D’ last year, which I find in hindsight mind-boggling. Think of all the immediate contributors Snyder and his staff plucked in last year’s class, with Nigel Malone and Tyler Lockett being just two that spring immediately to mind.
CT-K-Stater - February 3, 2012
I agree
Synder’s formula is based on working all the angles. Grey-shirts are apart of that formula, and hey guess what…it works!!! I’ll take it any day. Those greyshirts are just like any kid coming directly out of high school, except they are a year older, wiser, stronger, and have acclimated to taking college courses and living as adult college students.
Its an advantage in my eyes, not a disadvantage. If it were my son, unless he was just a freaking stud, I would hold him out that year.
I love HCBS for finding the legal, non shady (:cough: Auburn :cough:), loopholes to make his teams better.
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
And its obvious how little homework these guys do anyway
they go to rivals, see some stars, and leave it at that.
Every report from a non-local media source keeps laughing at Snyder for having another large load of JUCO’s. 6 of 26 is a large load? Less than 25% of the class is “mostly junior colleges”? Really guys, please do some better homework next time.
Snyder targets JUCO kids when he has a need, or because it was a kid he placed in JUCO on purpose. This isn’t a RP desperation move to go an grad 15 JUCO kids becuase he’s pissed off all the HS coaches in the area.
If there is an important number in this class its 10; as in the 10 guys who are already on campus, ready to participate in spring practice. And of that 10, 7(!) are preps (6 grey’s and Tay Bender). That’s a lot. Those guys are going to be looked at to contribute immediately next year, provide depth, and generally make this team a ton better over the next 4-5 years.
When it comes to evaluating our class, if it wasn’t written by Haskin, Kitchen, Meek, Robinett, Fritchen, Cassidy, Jannassen, or Kinder (and after the class has been on campus for a year or two) throw it out, because it’s not worth the paper its written on.
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
Yes, yes and yes
I find it interesting that Snyder and Kansas State are continuously viewed as too JUCO-dependent. That perception was fed in particular after the ‘97 recruiting haul that included Bishop, Jeff Kelly and Darnell McDonald (among others). Of course Snyder and his staff will tap into any and all available options to make their team better and fill immediate needs, but it isn’t like prep athletes are overlooked in the process. We’ve had three Freshman All-Americans in the past two years (Ty Zimmerman, Tre Walker and little Lockett) and yet the critical view of Snyder’s recruiting is that: A) it is poor in quality, and B) depends too heavily on the JUCO route. These are simply lazy assumptions, much like the one about how Snyder only crafts the weakest schedules possible. When Oklahoma goes the JUCO route and grabs a prospect its viewed as a coup; when its KSU you can hear the groans from the recruiting services. But then this is how recruiting rankings seem to work – if the same recruit who originally committed to LSU in the fall decides in February to switch his commitment to Tulane then he drops three stars in the eyes of the gurus.
Anyway, I like you’re thinking, jtark.
CT-K-Stater - February 3, 2012
Thanks
As a contrast to bad reporting, here is how The Mercury’s staff reports put it:
See? That’s what happens when you actually know whats going on… (though the JUCO # was one off)
And the story from Kinder after HCBS’s presser:
as-in “who cares where this class is ranked, HCBS got what he needed and that’s all that matters”
/sorry
/rantover
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
Anyone else find the obsession with 18, and 19 year old boys to be disturbing?
It’s only slightly less creepy than parading a bunch of 21, 22, 23 year olds about in their underwear at the NFL’s meat market, err, combine.
I think it is fun to watch highlight tapes of athletes, but that’s the extent of my interest. Coaches Snyder and Brown are case studies in how to coach up, and how not to coach up, talent.
No calls are bad, but the Cats threw away yet another huge lead. I don’t care about how bad the fouls were called, the fact is this team isn’t good enough.
How long until KU and MU play again, somewhere, somehow? Less than 5 years? <10?
Sean T - February 3, 2012
I was thinking the same thing about our basketball team
As angry as I am at the atrocious officiating that probably cost us 3 games, I am madder at the players for not sustaining energy and getting it done. This team is not that good, but they should better than 4-5 with a little consistency. Can Snyder teach Martin a thing or two?
mjk7166 - February 3, 2012
I agree
The fact that were 4 and 5 after 9 games is pathetic. I didn’t expect us to win the big 12, but this is terrible. I thought we would have 5 or 6 losses but not this early. we look lost out there on the court.
motown wildcat - February 3, 2012 via Android app
all snyder would teach frank...
is to hold the ball till 2 or 3 seconds on the shot clock then run(drive) it up the middle if it’s there, but if the defense shifts call a timeout or just take the shot clock violation. Then on defense we would stop the run(drive) by playing a zone with all 5 players in the paint, allowing the O to pass all over us and beat us with the 3 ball.
so….I’ll take Franks style
k-stater86 - February 3, 2012
ha ha hah
Sean T - February 3, 2012
He would definitely help Frank on ST, though (transitions/in-bounds passes).
/sorry, best I could come up with
ChrisP Wildcat - February 3, 2012
i actually agree with that...
we seem to be the only team that can’t execute a simple inbounds play and it has cost us many times.
k-stater86 - February 3, 2012
And thats bizarre
because Frank used to have a couple good plays
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
My issue with Martin is what appears to me to be that he is just inflexible.
He seems stuck in his rut and not willing to adapt. Play it his way, regardless of the personnel on hand or what the other team is able to dictate. And that in itself is a big part of the problem with a young team such as ours. They don’t know how, yet, to keep the other team from dictating tempo, etc. They’ll get there because you can see the growth, but they still don’t quite understand it.
Frank, on the other hand, is just in his own rut IMHO.
ArkieCat - February 3, 2012
I agree with this being a big problem
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
Paraphrasing Apocalypse Now
Kurtz (Martin): Do you think my methods are unsound?
Willard (those of us confused by frank’s irratic substitution patterns, and other “inflexible” precepts) – “I see no method here at all, sir.”
Inflexible precepts to include demanding up the line, overplaying the passing lane defense by everyone, even on players who are no threat to score from the outside, BUT also then complaining because we get beat on back cuts to the hole. 2. Playing Victor Ojele because he hustles and brings energy but then apologizing for him because he’s not “athletic” enough to really guard other D1 athletes (or block out and get an important rebound on missed FT against Ia. State), but then being willing to throw Will under the bus after demanding that he guard the opponent’s top one or two scorers, when we all know that Will isn’t “athletic” enough to do so. A corrollary to this will be Recruiting the “big Guard”, and talking about how important it is to have big, rangy guards and then not giving Shane a chance to guard anyone for more than a three minute stint to the point where Shane is a headcase who has basically stopped trying.
I gotta stop, I’m getting worked up and the real bottom line is that we are very young, and lack leadership – and just not a good team right now – for many reasons of which Frank is at least equally responsible as the players.
Daverone - February 3, 2012
Thats a bit harsh...
I love Frank Martin as I love Bill Snyder.
Neither of them have taken us all the way and each have their flaws. Lets not confuse our rants for sounding like we aren’t backing either coach.
Pick out a better coach for KSU right now… I got no one on my radar and don’t want anyone else either.
BeYard2 - February 3, 2012
Only guy that I could make any sort of argument for
Steve Henson. But it would be a very light and uninspired argument.
Frank is the guy I want, he’s a great fit here, and he wins lots of games. I would love to keep him here for a long time.
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
Lived next to the Steve
for a few years while he ran his own lawn mowing business. His wife was a school teacher at my high school, she is hot. That’s all I got on that front.
BeYard2 - February 3, 2012
Don't forget how crappy BBall was just a few short years ago - tourney 4 out of every 5 years is pretty good.
mac attack ict - February 3, 2012
Yes this^ tempers
much agnst I have. I was here for Wolly’s last year, this year still seems pretty good compared to that…
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
I don't think he is inflexible in an absolute sense.
We saw last year he was willing to reflect on his coaching and adjust mid-season.
However, I do think Frank has an inability to make in-game adjustments, and stubbornly sticks to the gameplan even after it has been shown to be flawed or after it has been adjusted for by the other team.
ChrisP Wildcat - February 3, 2012
And there are more times than not it appears
the players play not to screw up, instead of playing to win. Which means less aggressiveness, which might come across as less effort.
rjd27 - February 3, 2012
Pretty sure they play again here in a few weeks in Lawrence ;-p
And I’m just giving you a hard time… just so that’s clear!
dcchiefcat - February 3, 2012
ha ha ha ha
Funny. I’m actually really excited to watch both of those game. Go Jayhawks!
Sean T - February 3, 2012
I am really torn on this
I still feel dirty for actively promoting KU to win the football game. There are pro’s and con’s to root either way.
I think I will remain neutral in this one and home both games a forfeited in tie
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
In regard to the recruiting...
Yes, some people take it to the extreme. I like to follow it because I enjoy seeing how the roster is being put together, how needs are being addressed, and if players “look” a certain way, it makes me wonder what we’re going to be doing, schematically.
However, I will never befriend a recruit on Facebook. I will never direct message one on Twitter. There is a line one should never cross.
Panjandrum - February 3, 2012
Agreed
And it happens way too often
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
Yeah me either
/deletes15twitterfollows
BlackCats - February 3, 2012
Well I follow Tay Bender
and Glenn Gronkowski now, but I didn’t start till they were actually on campus
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
"I like to follow it because I enjoy seeing how the roster is being put together, how needs are being addressed, and if players "look" a certain way, it makes me wonder what we’re going to be doing, schematically."
If I knew more about Snyder’s schemes, I would likely follow just as you do. Since I don’t, I enjoy the speculation as to who may do what for the Cats and why. At this point I have such faith in Snyder and his staff’s ability to find diamonds in the rough, I can do no more than laugh at the recruiting experts.
Sean T - February 3, 2012
Blog post from Kellis @ the Eagle
on Victor’s little brother Semi Ojeleye.
I really hope he comes here, so so so so so much!
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
And FWIW
Kellis thinks he’s good kid, reminiscent of his brother.
And he’s smart enough to know he doesn’t want to go to KU, so there’s that
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
Conspiracy Theory!!!
I know there has been much discussion lately on the number of minutes VO is getting lately. Anybody think there might be some correlation between VO’s minutes and landing his little bro?
AmmoCat - February 3, 2012
I thought that at first
but Vic has been playing well, and he just tries harder than a lot of the other guys. I think Frank just wants someone who will consistently play hard and not get stupid fouls
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
That is my take as well.....
Just trying to stir the pot a bit :-}
AmmoCat - February 3, 2012
You crazy old guys...
always trying to stir your pot…….. ;-)
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
so, Frank is throwing this season out in hopes of landing Semi O?*
*partial sarcasm in that statement.
rjd27 - February 3, 2012
worth a shot, we weren't supposed to be very good anyway
/sarcasmbutton
BlackCats - February 3, 2012
Oh Nebraska
on probation…..
/hahaha
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
What does probation for 2 years mean?
All sports?
mjk7166 - February 3, 2012
i would assume so
usually how that works. any team screws up and they get nasty sanctions
jtarkman - February 3, 2012 via Android app
A reminder guys (sorry about the late notice) - 1130 am, union foodcourt entrace across from coffee shop
I’ll be in a purple T-shirt with Haymaker 9 on the front and Tomlinson 7 on the back.
Sean T - February 3, 2012
It was very nice meeting jtarkman today, and I hope we can try to meet again soon.
Sean T - February 3, 2012
this is starting to sound like a dating site
k-stater86 - February 3, 2012
ummm...with only one or two girls, yeah I guess it does
and lunch was fun, we need more guys to show up in the future though!
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
I posted this on yesterday's slate as well
my 10:00 meeting ran way later than I expected. Didn’t make it over to the Union until 12:15. Sorry I missed y’all. Definitely need to plan another one. Maybe it can become a monthly thing.
Jeremy Sharp - February 3, 2012
Yeah, I assumed that happened
and I would be up for that
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
Not a problem. I like the idea of trying again next month.
Sean T - February 3, 2012
I just have been swamped.
let me know about the next one.
BlackCats - February 3, 2012
speaking of food, is there a Chick-Fil-A on campus?
One came up on the store locator map, but it was in a weird location.
rjd27 - February 3, 2012
Used to be one in the Union
Not sure if it’s still there.
BlackCats - February 3, 2012
Yes it is
It is a “self serve” Chick-Fil-A…meaning they have a very limited menu. Chicken sandwich, char-grilled chicken sandwich, nuggets, wrap, and fries. No chicken salad sandwich, spicy chicken, breakfast, milkshakes, etc.
Jeremy Sharp - February 3, 2012
Chick-Fil-A opening soon in Wichita.
Just in case you were wondering.
Catbacker98 - February 5, 2012
There's one in the Topeka Mall as well.
Jeremy Sharp - February 5, 2012
This will be a stand-alone store with drive-thru.
Catbacker98 - February 5, 2012
Getting nervous about the aTm game
am I alone in this? It appears they are improving and we can’t afford another loss at home…
ksu&warpaint - February 3, 2012
Not a game on the board
that I’m not nervous about. T Tech would be the only exception. This Team is too up and down. If we go less than .500 the rest of the way and beat the wrong Teams we may miss the NCAA Tourney.
5 Homes and 4 @’s leaves a game that could push us over the .500 mark.
BeYard2 - February 3, 2012
at this point, finishing 9-9 might actually be considered good for this year.
rjd27 - February 3, 2012
With this bunch
I think I could be okay with that
jtarkman - February 3, 2012
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