So you don't have to click craplocks link:We’re going to spend a lot of time this season dissecting Frank Martin’s ability to lead the Kansas State Wildcats on the basketball court.
Bob Huggins, Michael Beasley and Bill Walker, the men responsible for Martin landing the K-State coaching job, are gone now, off to bigger and better jobs. The 2008-09 season is all about K-State’s unlikely coach.
If you’re keeping score at home, Martin scored a major winner Thursday night at the Sprint Center, directing the Wildcats to an impressive 74-55 thumping of Southern Mississippi.
Yes, I’m aware that Southern Mississippi isn’t very good. Larry Eustachy’s Golden Eagles play four guards and a forward, and they’re a middle-of-the-road team in Conference USA, a league with one legitimate team (Memphis).
But, again, the 2008-09 season is all about Frank Martin. The opponents don’t matter. All we care about is whether Martin can get a group of kids to follow most of his instructions for an entire season.
Thursday night we got a peek at our answer. Coming off three straight losses and playing in front of a sparse crowd, the Wildcats played their most complete game during the Martin era. I was impressed.
Without the moody and occasionally ball-hogging Bill Walker, it appears the Wildcats are going to settle into actual roles and maintain a consistent level of energy and intensity. They certainly have no aversion to playing defense. Led by swingman Dominique Sutton, the Wildcats seem determined to climb in the shorts of their opponents on the defensive end.
Sutton held Southern Mississippi’s leading scorer, Jeremy Wise, to one field goal and 11 points. Wise came into the game averaging 20.
“That’s what I do,” Sutton grinned.
The Golden Eagles hit just 31 percent of their shots.
We suspected the Wildcats would play defense. The real concern is on the offensive end. At times last season with Beasley and Walker, the Wildcats resembled an AAU squad on offense. There was virtually no structure. There have been times this season when the same could be said. But not Thursday night.
The Wildcats took advantage of their size advantage and a shocking performance by big man Luis Colon. They fed the ball to Colon in the low post, and he responded with 18 points, sinking the nine shots he fired.
“When our bigs play the way they did today, it just makes everything easier,” said guard Jacob Pullen, who scored 17.
Yeah, if Colon can produce half of the production (11 rebounds and two blocks) he did Thursday night in Big 12 play, the Wildcats will be the surprise of the conference. Having an inside scoring presence gave K-State’s offense structure and rhythm.
A year ago I thought Colon might be the worst scholarship player in the Big 12. He was overweight (290 pounds) and lacked the athletic ability to play high school ball at a high level. He’s still not much of an athlete, but he’s in far better shape (255). And Thursday he was the most important player on the court, producing the first double-double of his career.
You have to credit Martin and his coaching staff for developing Colon into a legitimate player.
I came to the Sprint Center expecting to write a column about Martin’s angry sideline demeanor. He made a fool out of himself during the Oregon game, cursing and ranting for the entire game in full view of the TV cameras.
Martin raved and ranted too much again Thursday. He still needs to tone it down. But his team’s play overshadowed Martin on this night. What happened on the court was more important and thought-provoking than Martin’s theatrics.
The players pretty much say they’re immune to Martin’s yelling.
“We knew Frank when we signed up for this,” Pullen laughed.
I have no idea how this is going to play out over a season. Colon may not score a point in conference play. The Wildcats might grow tired of Martin’s tantrums. Their lack of polished, skilled players could cause their offense to totally self-destruct.
Or they just might continue to get better. I’m going to keep an open mind. I enjoyed the surprise I witnessed Thursday night.
To reach Jason Whitlock, call 816-234-4869 or send e-mail to
[email protected]. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com
