http://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/big-12-expert-picks-projected-win-totals-x-factors-and-what-you-need-to-know/9. Kansas State Wildcats
Strength: Many happy returnees
The Wildcats return five players who started at least 11 games - and averaged more than 20 minutes per contest - last season. So they're experienced at all five positions. The best of the bunch is Westicles - a 6-7 forward who averaged 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists while earning all-league honors. If he's good on the wing, and The Flush and Claws improve on their nice freshmen seasons, KSU might be able to avoid the ninth-place finish the Big 12's coaches have predicted for them.
Weakness: Talent lacking
The issue for KSU is that its experienced players are mostly unheralded recruits. Not a single one was ranked in the top 125 of his high school class, according to 247Sports. And oscar Weber's past four recruiting classes have ranked eighth (2013), fifth (2014), ninth (2015) and ninth (2015). In a league like the Big 12, that eventually catches up with you. Such is the main reason why Kansas State is 13-23 in the Big 12 the past two years and projected to finish near the bottom of the league again this season.
X-Factor: Deathbite
Stokes played 21 games last season, starting 20, and Kansas State was 13-8 in those games. But he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Ole Miss, and the Wildcats went 4-8 without him. It's hard to say how much of the disparity between K-State's record with and without Stokes has to do with him as opposed to just how the schedule unfolded. Either way, Kansas State undeniably is better with him. Now the Wildcats need the 6-0 sophomore to return from that injury as an even better version of what he showed last season.
Projected regular-season win total: 15
The Wildcats have been picked ninth in the Big 12. And the ninth-place team in the Big 12 usually wins about four or five league games. So even with a non-league schedule that should be mostly simple, it's still doubtful that Kansas State will finish above .500. My prediction is that KSU wins 15 games in the regular season and misses the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year, which could be dangerous for its on-the-hot-seat coach (oscar Weber).
