Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 2, 2008 11:51:38 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/167/story/471809.html
Kansas State at Missouri: The matchups
K-State’s Clent Stewart vs. Missouri’s J.T. Tiller
EDGE >> MISSOURI
Stewart, K-State’s most experienced player (109 appearances and 83 starts) scored 11 points against KU. Reserve Jacob Pullen has taken pressure off of him, which has led to a surge in Stewart’s scoring. Stewart still makes bad decisions on occasion, but they haven’t proved costly so far. Missouri’s Stefhon Hannah is out, probably for the season because of a broken jaw, but Tiller, his replacement, nearly engineered a victory over Nebraska. Tiller turns it over too often, but he brings a spark and can take it to the rim with abandon.
K-State’s Dominique Sutton vs. Missouri’s Keon Lawrence
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Sutton started the first game of his college career because of the suspension of Andre Gilbert, and it was a good start. He held KU’s Russell Robinson to one-for-eight shooting, blocked a layup and pulled down six rebounds. Lawrence probably has more sheer athletic ability, but the sophomore has been a yo-yo all season. One game he’s the best Tiger on the floor. The next he’s one of the worst.
K-State’s Blake Young vs. Missouri’s Matt Lawrence
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Young is more than just a shooter. Against Kansas he had five assists and no turnovers. He hit a key early three. He’s an aggressive defender, and a slasher on offense who can rebound. Lawrence has stepped up as potential team leader in the midst of the mass suspensions of the last week. He’s honest, forthright and when he’s on, he’s a deadly three-point bomber. When he’s off, as he’s been too often this season, Lawrence can nearly disappear. Still, his desire is always obvious.
K-State’s Bill Walker vs. Missouri’s Vaidotas Volkus
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Walker set up Kansas State’s haymaker over Kansas with 12 of his 22 points in the first half. Walker has become a tough matchup because of his ability to take you outside with the three-pointer or power it to the rim with an authoritative dunk. Volkus is raw power, with little polish. An afterthought at the start of the season, Volkus is one of the most aggressive Tigers and becoming something of a fan favorite. Don’t get in his way on a drive. You’ll get knocked into the first row at Mizzou Arena.
K-State’s Michael Beasley vs. Missouri’s DeMarre Carroll
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Hype isn’t just hype when you back it up with the kind of numbers Beasley is producing. He had a slow start against KU but still finished with 25 points and six rebounds. He’s the best player in the Big 12 as a freshman and some contend the best player in the nation. Carroll doesn’t have incredible hoops skills so much as he has raging determination and heart. He’ll give Beasley a battle and won’t back down. But…
Bench
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Kansas State’s reserves are led by freshman point guard Jacob Pullen. His 20 points and four assists had a lot to do with K-State plucking the Jayhawks. Darren Kent has stepped it up for the bigs. He had four rebounds against KU and also can score (11 against Iowa State). There seems no way Missouri coach Mike Anderson lifts the suspensions of Leo Lyons, Marshall Brown, Jason Horton and Darryl Butterfield. That leaves MU’s bench with a freshman and two walk-ons.
Coaching
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Kansas fans are not going to like this. But right now Kansas State rookie head coach Frank Martin has to be the early choice for Big 12 Coach of the Year. He’s faced KU and Bill Self once. And Martin won. Missouri’s Mike Anderson has struggled through more than 40 minutes of Hell this week. How can he even think about coaching?
Intangibles
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
K-State has to prove it won’t lay an egg after hatching one of its biggest victories in some time and ending 25 years of KU’s iron rule in Manhattan. For Missouri, how strong is the will to survive? Beasley and Walker are simply too tangible to ignore.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Howard Richman’s prediction: K-State 75-64
The major issue for K-State is whether it can put aside the euphoria of the Kansas triumph. The Wildcats have appeared to be well-grounded and don’t get rattled, win or lose. There certainly hasn’t been much of the latter lately.
Mike DeArmond’s prediction: K-State 72-64
Hanging tough with Nebraska was one thing. Staying with Kansas State is something else again. Particularly if all Missouri can throw at the Wildcats are the players who left so much on the floor on Wednesday night.
Kansas State at Missouri: The matchups
K-State’s Clent Stewart vs. Missouri’s J.T. Tiller
EDGE >> MISSOURI
Stewart, K-State’s most experienced player (109 appearances and 83 starts) scored 11 points against KU. Reserve Jacob Pullen has taken pressure off of him, which has led to a surge in Stewart’s scoring. Stewart still makes bad decisions on occasion, but they haven’t proved costly so far. Missouri’s Stefhon Hannah is out, probably for the season because of a broken jaw, but Tiller, his replacement, nearly engineered a victory over Nebraska. Tiller turns it over too often, but he brings a spark and can take it to the rim with abandon.
K-State’s Dominique Sutton vs. Missouri’s Keon Lawrence
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Sutton started the first game of his college career because of the suspension of Andre Gilbert, and it was a good start. He held KU’s Russell Robinson to one-for-eight shooting, blocked a layup and pulled down six rebounds. Lawrence probably has more sheer athletic ability, but the sophomore has been a yo-yo all season. One game he’s the best Tiger on the floor. The next he’s one of the worst.
K-State’s Blake Young vs. Missouri’s Matt Lawrence
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Young is more than just a shooter. Against Kansas he had five assists and no turnovers. He hit a key early three. He’s an aggressive defender, and a slasher on offense who can rebound. Lawrence has stepped up as potential team leader in the midst of the mass suspensions of the last week. He’s honest, forthright and when he’s on, he’s a deadly three-point bomber. When he’s off, as he’s been too often this season, Lawrence can nearly disappear. Still, his desire is always obvious.
K-State’s Bill Walker vs. Missouri’s Vaidotas Volkus
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Walker set up Kansas State’s haymaker over Kansas with 12 of his 22 points in the first half. Walker has become a tough matchup because of his ability to take you outside with the three-pointer or power it to the rim with an authoritative dunk. Volkus is raw power, with little polish. An afterthought at the start of the season, Volkus is one of the most aggressive Tigers and becoming something of a fan favorite. Don’t get in his way on a drive. You’ll get knocked into the first row at Mizzou Arena.
K-State’s Michael Beasley vs. Missouri’s DeMarre Carroll
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Hype isn’t just hype when you back it up with the kind of numbers Beasley is producing. He had a slow start against KU but still finished with 25 points and six rebounds. He’s the best player in the Big 12 as a freshman and some contend the best player in the nation. Carroll doesn’t have incredible hoops skills so much as he has raging determination and heart. He’ll give Beasley a battle and won’t back down. But…
Bench
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Kansas State’s reserves are led by freshman point guard Jacob Pullen. His 20 points and four assists had a lot to do with K-State plucking the Jayhawks. Darren Kent has stepped it up for the bigs. He had four rebounds against KU and also can score (11 against Iowa State). There seems no way Missouri coach Mike Anderson lifts the suspensions of Leo Lyons, Marshall Brown, Jason Horton and Darryl Butterfield. That leaves MU’s bench with a freshman and two walk-ons.
Coaching
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
Kansas fans are not going to like this. But right now Kansas State rookie head coach Frank Martin has to be the early choice for Big 12 Coach of the Year. He’s faced KU and Bill Self once. And Martin won. Missouri’s Mike Anderson has struggled through more than 40 minutes of Hell this week. How can he even think about coaching?
Intangibles
EDGE >> KANSAS STATE
K-State has to prove it won’t lay an egg after hatching one of its biggest victories in some time and ending 25 years of KU’s iron rule in Manhattan. For Missouri, how strong is the will to survive? Beasley and Walker are simply too tangible to ignore.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Howard Richman’s prediction: K-State 75-64
The major issue for K-State is whether it can put aside the euphoria of the Kansas triumph. The Wildcats have appeared to be well-grounded and don’t get rattled, win or lose. There certainly hasn’t been much of the latter lately.
Mike DeArmond’s prediction: K-State 72-64
Hanging tough with Nebraska was one thing. Staying with Kansas State is something else again. Particularly if all Missouri can throw at the Wildcats are the players who left so much on the floor on Wednesday night.