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Wildcats report: Getting inside

April 19, 2008
The Sports Xchange

Getting inside · Notes, quotes · Strategy and personnel

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Kansas State coach Frank Martin didn't hesitate to call the season "a wild ride."

In his first season directing a college program, Martin also shaped seven freshmen who played enormous roles in a 21-12 run that ended with a second-round loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament.

The NCAA berth was the first for the Wildcats since 1996 and a first-round upset of Southern California was their first tournament win since 1988, snapping a five-game NCAA losing streak.

The season was influenced most by the incredible production of Michael Beasley, a 6-foot-10 freshman forward tabbed by most as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and by many as the national player of the year.

With Beasley contributing 28 double-doubles, the Wildcats always had the means to beat any team on its schedule and proved it by snapping an unfathomable 24-game home-court losing streak against archrival Kansas.

Forward Bill Walker spent the season as Beasley's wheel man, contributing a 16-point average with a great first step to the basket and explosiveness around the rim.

The bad news for Kansas State fans was this was the only season they'll see the pair play together. Beasley, along with Derrick Rose a Memphis is considered one of the top two picks in the draft, had no choice but to leave for the NBA. Walker could benefit from another year of college basketball, but if he is projected far enough into the first round, it would also behoove him to turn pro after undergoing ACL surgery on both knees.

Martin admirably handled all the pressure and scrutiny he was under after some charged his hiring was just a means to keep Kansas State's high-profile recruits from going elsewhere.

In reality, his promotion made sense after Bob Huggins injected new life into the moribund program before leaving after one season to return to his alma mater, West Virginia.

Whether Martin can sustain the program at the level to which Kansas State again becomes a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament is the next challenge.

Kansas St. Wildcats Message Board

KUnKC4ever

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May 13, 2008 12:11 pm

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Walker Gone...

... Per Jon Wefeld on 810.

Wow, what is the hell is KSU going to be putting on the court next year.... hopes and prayers gentlemen.

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ark4455

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May 2, 2008 3:19 pm

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Look who else is in this years draft

<table width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="0"> <tbody> <tr class="bg2"> <td> Jason Bennett</td> <td> Tallahassee CC</td> <td> So.</td> <td> C</td> <td> 7-3</td> <td> </td> ...(more)

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KSUChamp03

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May 7, 2008 3:02 am

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Music Video working on/recruits for basketball.

Hey my fellow wildcat fans I am working on a music video of basketball highlights/ksu football, if you have any links that are good ones email me at trunks4u69@yahoo.com, also I am using the years of 97-2008 of wildcat football, and for the basketball i am using this year and last our best seasons I believe in a while, if you have any links let me know ...(more)

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KSUChamp03

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April 29, 2008 1:23 am

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Coach Frank Martin WOW

With the new recruits that my fellow Wildcat Fan mentioned its easy to say that Frank Martin WOW'ed us yet again, hmmm it seems he is doing what Kansas State needs to do by making connections and actually benefiting from it, I went to the Kansas State game vs. Nebraska and Frank Martin actually practices with his team before the game and shoots some baskets and so fourth. Its pretty c ...(more)

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KSUsocrates