I mostly disagree with the article but somebody was going to write it. It was just too easy for lazy journalist, such as this particular author, to pass up or put any real thought in to. I am, of course, not surprised by this.
K-State did not lack intensity and emotion when they took the court. They did not look a step slower early on like I saw them look during the four game conference losing streak. But we didn't knock down the open three's like we've grown accustomed to. No big men stepped up offensively, which has been a key to the successes throughout conference play.
Was it a sloppy game for the most part? Yes. But both teams looked sloppy... Missouri almost always looks sloppy. Doesn't matter though, because they win.
Yes, things got out of hand quickly at the end of the first half. But the Cats returned and at the very least provided and abundance of effort. In this case though, the #8 team in the nation was able to hold off the charge on their home court. Should this surprise anybody or really make a statement about the Catz? Not as far as I'm concerned.
Since the Colorado OT win in Boulder, I have not for a second seen a team that lacks competitiveness or motivation. I have seen a team that is occasionally outmatched. Go figure.
Whitlock doesn't provide any insight in to anything, primarily because he's a lazy poor journalist. But he's tasked with writing a story weather he has an interesting slant or not.