K-State’s backcourt took a big hit for the next two years when Angel Rodriguez opted to transfer from the school last week. Now the Wildcats have to find a way to move on without their starting point guard and leading returning scorer for 2013-14.
“The exit of Angel was a little disheartening, but it’s a part of college basketball and you’ve got to move forward,” K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber said on KMAN’s Wildcat Insider. “We’re going to miss Angel’s toughness and defense. His defense was special. I don’t think people appreciated that.”
Will Spradling is the only returning player with experience handling the ball, and he will be asked to take over some of the point guard duties next season.
“He kind of plays point all the time,” Weber said. “His assist to turnover ratio was tremendous and his feel of the game kind of gave you a second point guard.”
K-State will welcome in a freshman point guard next year in Jevon Thomas, but Thomas is a mid-year enrollee and won’t be eligible to compete until December 15th.
“(Thomas) gives us another level of quickness that even Angel couldn’t,” Weber said.
Weber hopes to add another player to the mix at point guard before next season with one of K-State’s three remaining scholarships. ESPN.com lists two star guard Nigel Johnson as a commitment for the 2013 class, but Johnson hasn’t signed a letter of intent.
“Between the guys we have coming in and Will already here you hope you can make some progress and survive the early stretch,” Weber said. “Then be going in a positive direction once we get to the league.”
