GAME 7
KANSAS STATE (4-2) vs ORAL ROBERTS (2-3)
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 >> 7 p.m. CT >> Bramlage Coliseum (11,010) >> Manhattan, Kan.
TELEVISION
Big 12 Now on ESPN+ / WatchESPN (link here)
- Ben Boyle (play-by-play)
- Stan Weber (analyst)
- Sophie Smith (sideline reporter)
RADIO
K-State Sports Network
Flagships: // KMAN 1350 & WIBW 580
Satellite Radio: Ch. 388
Online: Varsity Network [free]/ www.kstatesports.com/watch [free]
- Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play)
- Matt Walters (analyst)
LIVE STATS
www.kstatesports.com
kstate.statbroadcast.com
TICKETS
www.kstatesports.com/tickets
(800) 221.CATS [2287]
Single Game: $11.25, $15, $30, $35
COACHES
K-State: Jerome Tang [Charter Oak State College ’07]
Record at K-State: 30-12/Second Year
Career Record: 32-12/Second Year+
vs. Oral Roberts: 0-0 [0-0 at home]
Oral Roberts: Russell Springmann [Salisbury State ’90]
Record at ORU: 2-3/1st Year
Career Record: 2-3/1st Year
vs. K-State: 0-0 [0-0 on the road]
PROBABLE STARTERS
K-State (4-2)
G: #2 Tylor Perry
G: #5 Cam Carter
W: #24 Arthur Kaluma
W: #1 David N’Guessan
C: #13 Will McNair Jr.
Oral Roberts (2-3)
G: #2 Kareem Thompson
G: #10 Issac McBride
G/F: #35 Jailen Bedford
F: #14 DeShang Weaver
C: #22 Josh Jones
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: K-State leads 4-2
At Home: K-State leads 4-0
At Bramlage Coliseum: K-State leads 2-0
Active Streak: K-State, 2
First Meeting: W, 75-64 [12/8/1977 in Manhattan]
Last Meeting: W, 77-68 [11/29/2017 in Manhattan]
Jerome Tang vs. Russell Springmann: First meeting
K-STATE CONTINUES HOMESTAND ON TUESDAY NIGHT
Kansas State (4-2) continues its 4-game homestand on Tuesday, as the Wildcats welcome Oral Roberts (2-3) to Bramlage Coliseum at 7 p.m., CT. This will be the seventh meeting with the Golden Eagles and the first since a 77-68 win at home on Nov. 29, 2017. After opening the year with wins over Bellarmine, South Dakota State and Central Arkansas, K-State has now won 12 straight home non-conference games dating back to 2021-22. The Wildcats have posted a 122-12 record at Bramlage Coliseum since 2006-07.
KEY STORYLINES
- K-State got back on the winning track last week, as the Wildcats eclipsed 100 points in a home game for the first time since 2010 with a 100-56 victory over Central Arkansas on Nov. 22. It marked the 40th time in school history, including the second time under head coach Jerome Tang, that the Wildcats scored 100 points in a game. It was a complete offensive effort, as the team connected on 50.7 percent (38-of-75) from the field, which included 10 3-point field goals and 52 points in the paint, while the defense held the Bears to 27.9 percent (19-of-68) shooting.
- As evident by the 100-point performance against UCA, K-State offense has shown the ability to be potent, as the Wildcats are averaging more than 80 points per game (83.2 ppg.) through 6 games, while hitting on 44.9 percent from the field, including 9.3 3-pointers per game, and 73 percent from line. The scoring average is the best through the first 6 games since the 1997-98 team averaged 88.8 points per game. Four players have scored in double figures in 5 games, while three (Tylor Perry, Cam Carter, Arthur Kaluma) are averaging in double figures.
- K-State continues to show its offense can be more than 3-pointers, as the Wildcats followed up its school-record tying 56-point effort in the paint against No. 12/11 Miami with 52 points in the paint vs. UCA. The team has connected on 67.1 percent (57-of-85) of their field goals inside the 3-point line in the last 2 games, including 74.4 percent (29-of-39) against the Hurricanes.
- K-State ranks among the best rebounding teams in the nation, as the Wildcats rank eighth in offensive rebounds/game (16.3) and 29th in rebounds/game (42.83). The team corralled 63 boards against UCA, which was the most in a game since they had 64 vs. Kansas City on Dec. 3, 1997. Among those 63 rebounds were 26 on the offensive end, which led to a 34-5 advantage in second-chance points. The 26 offensive boards were the most since 2012.
- Junior Arthur Kaluma is starting to heat up, as the transfer has scored in double figures in 4 consecutive games, including a season-best 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting vs. UCA. He was named to the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship All-Tournament team after averaging 18 points and 9.5 rebounds in games vs. Providence (11/17/23) and No. 12/11 Miami (11/19/23).
- Scoring leader Tylor Perry ranks among the Big 12’s top-10 in 6 categories, including tops in 3-point field goals/game (3.2) and free throw percentage (96.9), third in assist/turnover ratio (3.0), fifth in scoring (17.0 ppg.) and minutes (34.2) and seventh in assists (5.0 apg.).
A K-STATE WIN WOULD…
- Extend its home non-conference winning streak to 13 games.
- Push its non-conference record to 176-55 since 2006-07.
- Push its home non-conference mark to 123-12 since 2006-07.
- Make it 5-2 vs. Oral Roberts, including 5-0 at home.
- Push its home record vs. Summit League foes to 48-0.
NOTES ON ORAL ROBERTS (1-4)
- Under first-year coach Russell Springmann, Oral Roberts is off to a 2-3 start to the season after snapping a 2-game skid with a 65-63 home win over Texas Southern on Nov. 21. The Golden Eagles are 0-3 on the road after dropping games at UT-Arlington (71-75), Missouri State (69-84) and No. 12/13 Texas A&M (66-74).
- Oral Roberts is averaging 69 points per game on 40.8 percent shooting, including 31.9 percent from 3-point range, while allowing 73 points on 39.6 percent shooting, including 34.5 percent from long range. The Golden Eagles are shooting 69.3 percent from the free throw line. They are averaging 34.6 rebounds per game with 3 players averaging 5 or more boards.
- Four players are averaging in double figures led by senior Issac McBride, who is averaging 21.6 points on 38.8 percent shooting, including 37.1 percent from 3-point range, and 90.6 percent from the line. He leads the team in 3-pointers (13). Graduate DeShang Weaver is averaging 14.6 points on 52.8 percent shooting with a team-best 6.4 rebounds per game. Graduate Kareem Thompson (11.4 ppg.) and junior Jailen Bedford (10.8 ppg.) are averaging in double digits.
- Oral Roberts was picked second in the preseason Summit League poll behind South Dakota State after the Golden Eagles returned 8 lettermen, including 2 starters, from a team that posted a 30-5 record in 2022-23, including a perfect 18-0 mark in league play.
- Springmann was elevated to the head coaching role after Paul Mills left to take over at Wichita State. A former assistant coach to Rick Barnes at Texas from 2001-15, he was an assistant to Mills from 2018-23, when the Golden Eagles went to a pair of NCAA Tournaments.
FAMILIAR CONNECTION
- Oral Roberts assistant Bill Lewit coached K-State assistant Jareem Dowling at Cecil College in North East, Md., from 2000-03. Lewit then gave Dowling his first coaching job at Cecil in 2005, as the pair led the Seahawks to a 97-6 record and 2006 NJCAA Division II National Championship.
SERIES HISTORY
- K-State and Oral Roberts will be meeting for the seventh time in their respective histories with the Wildcats holding a 4-2 advantage, including a 4-0 mark at home.
- K-State has won 2 straight in the series, including a 71-63 win on Nov. 13, 2013, and a 77-68 win on Nov. 29, 2017.
- K-State is 55-3 all-time against Summit League opponents, including 48-0 at home. The Wildcats already have one win over a Summit League team, defeating South Dakota State, 91-68, on Nov. 13.
ALL-TIME MEETINGS
Date | Rank | Result | Score | Location |
12/8/1977 | –/– | W | 75-64 | Manhattan |
11/29/1978 | –/– | L | 55-61 | Tulsa |
11/29/1983 | –/– | W | 82-74 | Manhattan |
1/3/1985 | –/– | L | 71-86 | Tulsa |
11/13/2013 | –/– | W | 71-63 | Manhattan |
11/29/2017 | –/– | W | 77-68 | Manhattan |
LAST MEETING:
K-STATE 77, ORAL ROBERTS 68 [11/29/2017]
- Behind a double-double from then junior Dean Wade, K-State won its last meeting with Oral Roberts, 77-68, on Nov. 29, 2017. The Wildcats used a 16-2 run early in the first half to take control of the game en route to a 42-34 halftime lead. The team then got big plays late from junior Barry Brown Jr., to withstand a late second-half rally from the Golden Eagles.
SUCCESS IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
- K-State has posted a 174-55 (.762) record in non-conference play since the 2006-07 season. During that span, the Wildcats have a 132-14 (.901) mark at home venues (includes games played at Bramlage Coliseum, INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita and the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City) in non-conference play, including a 122-12 (.908) mark at Bramlage Coliseum.
- K-State’s 12-1 non-conference mark in 2022-23 was the best since the 2009-10 team went a program-best 13-1. The 12 wins last season matched the 2008-09 and 2010-11 teams for the second-most in that span.
Year | Overall | Home | Bramlage |
2006-07 | 11-4 | 7-0 | 7-0 |
2007-08 | 10-4 | 8-1 | 7-1 |
2008-09 | 12-3 | 11-0 | 10-0 |
2009-10 | 13-1 | 9-0 | 8-0 |
2010-11 | 12-3 | 9-1 | 8-1 |
2011-12 | 11-1 | 7-0 | 6-0 |
2012-13 | 11-2 | 9-0 | 8-0 |
2013-14 | 10-3 | 7-1 | 7-1 |
2014-15 | 7-6 | 6-2 | 5-2 |
2015-16 | 11-2 | 8-0 | 8-0 |
2016-17 | 11-2 | 8-0 | 8-0 |
2017-18 | 11-2 | 8-1 | 8-0 |
2018-19 | 10-3 | 7-0 | 6-0 |
2019-20 | 7-6 | 6-2 | 6-1 |
2020-21 | 4-5 | 4-5 | 4-5 |
2021-22 | 8-5 | 6-1 | 6-1 |
2022-23 | 12-1 | 8-0 | 7-0 |
2023-24 | 4-2 | 3-0 | 3-0 |
Total | 174-55 | 132-14 | 122-12 |
1700 WINS AND COUNTING
- K-State’s overtime 96-87 win over Nevada on Nov. 22, 2022, in the semifinals of the Cayman Islands Classic represented the 1,700th win in school history. The Wildcats are the 43rd Division I team to eclipse 1,700 wins, including the sixth Big 12 school.
- The Wildcats have 1,725-1,225 (.585) all-time record as a program, which includes 32 NCAA Tournament appearances and 21 conference championships.
LAST TIME OUT: K-STATE 100, CENTRAL ARKANSAS 56
- K-State broke the 100-point barrier at home for the first time since 2010, as the Wildcats saw four players score in double figures in a 100-56 win over Central Arkansas on Nov. 22 before a crowd of 8,980 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
- K-State scored 100 points in a game for the 40th time in school history, including the first time at home in nearly 13 years since a 100-76 win over North Florida on Dec. 31, 2010. It marked the second time hitting the 100-point mark under head coach Jerome Tang and the first since scoring a school-record 116 points at No. 6/6 Texas on Jan. 3, 2023.
- On a night where no Wildcat player saw more than 26 minutes of action and 11 available players saw action, K-State remained unbeaten at home behind an all-around performance. The Wildcats connected on 50.7 percent (38-of-75) from the field, which included 10 3-point field goals and 52 points in the paint, while the defense held the Bears (1-5) to 27.9 percent (19-of-68) shooting.
- The Wildcats grabbed 63 rebounds, including 26 on the offensive end which they converted into 34 second-chance points. It was the most rebounds in a game in more than 25 seasons since the team had 64 vs. Kansas City on Dec. 3, 1997. Seven players had at least 4 rebounds in the game.
- Junior Arthur Kaluma led four players in double figures with a season-high 20 points, connecting on 7-of-11 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range. Freshmen Dai Dai Ames and Macaleb Rich also hit double digits with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while senior David N’Guessan collected his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
- K-State picked up right where it left off in The Bahamas, jumping out to a 10-1 advantage before Central Arkansas head coach Anthony Boone called his first timeout at the 15:38 mark. Kaluma and N’Guessan combined for the first 10 points, including a pair of dunks by Kaluma.
- K-State continued to build its lead, pushing ahead by as many as 29 points, as 10 players saw action. The Wildcats connected on 51.4 percent (19-of-37) from the field in the first half, including 60.9 percent (14-of-23) inside the 3-point arc. Kaluma led all scorers with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Ames added 11 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
- The lead reached 30 points less than 5 minutes into the second half on a pair of free throws by Kaluma. The Wildcats then ran off 10 straight points, which included a pair of 3-pointers from senior Tylor Perry, to push the advantage to 74-38 near the midway point of the half.
- The 100-point plateau grew closer after an alley-oop dunk by redshirt Taj Manning – his first career points – gave K-State a 91-51 lead with 3:45 to play. Redshirt freshman Dorian Finister knocked down the Wildcats’ 10th 3-pointer of the night on the next play and was followed by free throws by sophomore Jerrell Colbert and freshman R.J. Jones. Rich’s layup with 1:16 to play were the last of the night and enough to eclipse the 100-point mark.
POSTGAME NEWS & NOTES
- K-State has won 12 straight at home at non-conference play since 2021-22.
- K-State scored its 100 points on 50.7 percent (38-of-75) shooting, including 34.5 percent (10-of-29) from 3-point range, and 60.9 percent (14-of-23) from the free throw line. The team dished out 21 assists on its 38 made field goals.
- The Wildcats held advantage in points off turnovers (14-7), points in the paint (52-12), second-chance points (34-5), fast break points (16-12) and bench points (52-10).
- K-State has now had double-digit 3-pointers in 3 of 6 games.
NEW OFFENSE, MORE 3-POINTERS
- K-State made the switch to the 5-out offense in the offseason to utilize its versality in talent, as the offense is structured around spacing with all 5 players required to pass, cut, screen, dribble and shoot.
- After scoring 100 points in the exhibition play for the first time since 1993, the Wildcats eclipsed the 100-point barrier at home since 2010 and the second time under head coach Jerome Tang with a 100-56 victory over Central Arkansas on Nov. 22. The team has scored 83 points twice (Bellarmine and No. 12/11 Miami) and 91 points vs. South Dakota State.
- The current 83.2 scoring average is the best through the first 6 games since the 1997-98 team averaged 88.8 points. It is the fourth time that the team has averaged better than 80 points through the first 6 games in the last 25 seasons, joining 2007-08 (79.8 ppg.), 2008-09 (81.7 ppg.) and 2009-10 (80.2 ppg.).
- The new offense has so far increased the number of 3-pointers, as the team has already attempted 168 from beyond the arc, including 33 in the opener vs. No. 21/22 USC (11/6/23), which ranked as the seventh-most in a game in school history. The Wildcats followed with 31 3-point attempts vs. Bellarmine (11/10/23), while hitting on double-digit makes (12) for the first time.
- In the win over South Dakota State (11/13/23), K-State knocked down 14 3-pointers, which tied for the fifth-most in school history and are the most since hitting 16 at Oklahoma State on Feb. 2, 2019.
- The Wildcats have connected on 56 3-pointers, which are the most through the first 6 games. The 26 combined 3-pointers in games vs. Bellarmine and South Dakota State were the most in back-to-back games since also making 26 in games at Oklahoma State and at home to Kansas on Feb. 2 and 5, 2019.
- The Wildcats rank third in the Big 12 in both 3-point field goals/game (9.3) and 3-point field goal attempts (28.0). The 168 3-point attempts are the second-most in the Big 12 behind BYU’s 202. Senior Tylor Perry ranks among the top-40 nationally in three 3-point categories, including 17th in attempts (52), 21st in total makes (19) and 34th in makes/game (3.2).
MORE THAN JUST THE 3
- K-State has showed its offense is more than just the 3-pointer, as the team is averaging 54 points in the paint in the last 2 games, as they are connecting on 67.1 percent (57-of-85) from inside the 3-point line in that span, including 74.4 percent (29-of-39) in near comeback vs. No. 12/11 Miami (11/19/23).
- K-State scored 56 points in the paint against the Hurricanes, which tied for the most in a single game in school history (stat kept since 2000-01), and the most since scoring 56 against South Dakota on Jan. 3, 2010.
POINT OF EMPHASIS
- Ever since the loss to Florida Atlantic in the Elite Eight, in which, K-State was out-rebounded 44-22, rebounding has been a point of emphasis by head coach Jerome Tang. So far that message has been received, as the Wildcats rank second in the Big 12 and 29th nationally in rebounds/game (42.83), including first in the league and eighth nationally in offensive rebounds/game (16.33).
- K-State has been out-rebounded just once this season (44-39 to Providence), while posting an +8.50 rebounding margin.
- K-State posted its highest rebound total in more than 25 seasons in the win over Central Arkansas (11/22/23), corralling 63 rebounds, which were the most since totaling 64 vs. Kansas City on Dec. 3, 1997. Among those 63 boards were 26 on the offensive end, which they converted into 34 second-chance points. The 26 offensive rebounds were the most since grabbing 29 vs. North Florida on Nov. 18, 2012, while the 37 defensive rebounds were one shy of the top-10.
BETTER DEFENSIVE EFFORT
- K-State will need to continue to improve its defensive effort after allowing 442 points (73.7 ppg.) in the first 6 games on 42.6 percent shooting, including 32.4 percent (45-of-139) from 3-point range.
- The Wildcats currently rank last in the Big 12 in scoring defense (73.7 ppg.) and 13th field goal percentage defense (42.6), while they are 10th in 3-point field goal percentage defense (32.4). The team is also tied for 12th in turnover margin (-1.83) and 11th in assist/turnover ratio (1.09).
- K-State has shown the ability to be a good defensive team, holding South Dakota State (11/13/23) and Providence (11/17/23) to an average of 69 points on 38.3 percent (51-of-133) shooting, including 27.9 percent (12-of-43) from 3-point range. The Wildcats held Central Arkansas to just 56 points on 27.9 percent (19-of-68) shooting, including 17.9 percent (7-of-39) in the first half.
- In the overtime win over Providence (11/17/23), the defense matched and, at times, exceeded that of the Friars (which entered the game 17th nationally in field goal percentage defense), holding them to a season-low 35.3 percent (24-of-68) shooting, including 22.7 percent (5-of-22) from 3-point range.
NEEDING CONSISTENCY
- K-State has had trouble finding rhythm and consistency with key players out at various times. Freshman Dai Dai Ames missed the Miami game after he was suspended 1-game by the NCAA for his actions against Providence (11/17/23), while Kaluma missed the South Dakota State (11/13/23) game due to injury. Ames will be eligible to return for Wednesday’s game.
- K-State is already playing without a pair of projected starters in seniors Ques Glover (injury) and Nae’Qwan Tomlin (suspension). Glover’s injury is expected to take 6-8 weeks, while Tomlin’s return is undetermined.
PERRY MORE THAN JUST A SCORER
- Senior Tylor Perry proved that he is more than just a scorer in the opener vs. No. 21/22 USC (11/6/23) in Las Vegas, leading the team in assists (6) and steals (4) to go with 6 rebounds and his team-best 22 points. Currently, he is averaging 17 points, 5.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 34.1 minutes per game.
- The performance was the first in his Division I career that he posted 20 or more points, had 6 or more rebounds, 6 or more assists and 4 or more steals. Only once did he even accomplish three of those stats, as he had 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists against Sam Houston in the 2023 NIT First Round.
- Perry missed his first 8 field goals, including his first 6 from 3-point range, before making his acrobatic 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer. The shot seemed to spark the fifth-year senior, as he finished the game making 5 of his last 9 field goals, including 4 of his last 6 3-point baskets.
- Perry’s 22 points were the most by a Wildcat newcomer in a debut since Michael Beasley scored 32 points in his first game against Sacramento State on Nov. 9, 2007. In fact, Perry is the first Wildcat to post a 20-point game in a season opener since Mike McGuirl had 22 points vs. Drake on Nov. 25, 2020.
- Perry has scored in double figures in 5 of the first 6 games, as his 14-game streak of double-digit scoring games ending 6 points vs. Central Arkansas (11/22/23). Among those 5 double-digit scoring games is a team-best three 20-point games, which includes 22 vs. USC (11/6/23) and South Dakota State (11/13/23) and a season-best 24 in the win over Providence (11/17/23).
- Perry has a 20-point game in 7 of last 11 games, also dating to last season.
- Perry ranks the Big 12’s top 10 in six categories, including tops in 3-point field goals/game (3.2) and free throw percentage (96.9), third in assist/turnover ratio (3.0), fifth in scoring (17.0 ppg.) and minutes (34.2) and seventh in assists (5.0 apg.). He is 12th in 3-point field goal percentage (36.5).
- Perry recently eclipsed 2,000 career points in his college career, which includes stints at Coffeyville Community College (2019-21) and North Texas (2021-23). He currently has 1,105 points at the Division I level.
- Perry had at least 4 3-pointers in each of the first 3 games, while he had a season-high 6 treys against South Dakota State (11/13/23). He now has made at least 4 3-pointers in 26 career games at the Division I level, while he hast 6 or made triples in 4 games (7 vs. San Jose State (11/25/22) and 6 at UAB (2/19/22), 6 vs. Sam Houston (3/19/23) and 6 vs. South Dakota State).
EXCELLING FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
- Senior Tylor Perry ranks among the best from the free throw line, hitting on 96.9 percent (31-of-32). He ranks 11th nationally and first in the Big 12. He has made 29 straight free throws dating back to the first half vs. USC (11/6/23).
- Among Perry’s 24 points in the win over Providence (11/17/23) was a perfect 14-of-14 performance from the free throw line, which tied for the third-best in school history and the best since Michael Beasley went 15-of-15 from the line at Baylor on Feb. 23, 2008. Only Beasley and Steve Henson, who went a school-best 17-of-17 from the stripe at Iowa State on Feb. 24, 1988, have enjoyed a better performance from the free throw line.
BUCKET GETTER
- Head coach Jerome Tang has said that he wants guard Cam Carter to be a bucket getter and that’s what the junior has delivered in the first 6 games, averaging 16.5 points per game. He leads the Wildcats in field goals made (39) and attempts (93), while he is second to Tylor Perry in 3-point field goals (13).
- After recording his first 20-point game vs. South Dakota State (11/13/23) with a game-high 25 points on 10-of-20 field goals, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range, Carter took it to another level vs. No. 12/11 Miami (11/19/23).
- Carter scored a career-best 28 points vs. the Hurricanes, including 24 in the second half when the Wildcats cut a 24-point deficit to just 7 points in the last 45 seconds. He finished the game 12-of-22 from the field (10-of-16 in the second half) with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block in 38 minutes.
- In addition to scoring in double figures in 4 games, Carter leads the team and ranks fourth in the Big 12 in steals/game (2.50). He has had at least 2 steals in 5 games, including a career-best 4 twice (vs. Bellarmine and Providence).
- Carter also ranks seventh in both scoring (16.5 ppg.) and minutes (33.1) in the Big 12, 11th in 3-point field goals made/game (2.17) and 12th in 3-point field goal percentage (31.0).
- Carter has now scored in double figures in 14 games, including 12 times as a Wildcat. Seven of those double-digit totals have come in the last 15 games.
STARTING TO FIND A RHYTHM
- Junior Arthur Kaluma is starting to find a rhythm after a slow start to the season, becoming a double-double threat nearly every night. He has scored in double figures in 4 consecutive games, averaging 17 points on 50 percent shooting (24-of-48) to go with 8.5 rebounds per game.
- Kaluma was named to the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship All-Tournament Team after averaging 18.0 points on 52.2 percent (12-of-23) shooting with 9.5 rebounds. After scoring 18 in the OT win over Providence, including a pivotal 3-pointer, he had his first double-double as a Wildcat and fourth in his career with 18 points and 12 rebounds vs. 12/11 Miami.
- Kaluma scored a season-high 20 points vs. Central Arkansas (11/22/23), hitting on 7-of-11 attempts, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with 8 rebounds and 3 assists in just under 24 minutes.
- Kaluma ranks fourth in the Big 12 in rebounding at 8.6 per game, while he is fifth in defensive rebounds (5.80), eighth in offensive rebounds (2.80), 11th in minutes (32.3) and 15th in scoring (14.8 ppg).
MASTER OF THE BOARDS
- Senior David N’Guessan has been impressive so far on the glass, ranking sixth in the Big 12 in rebounding at 8.3 boards per game. He ranks third in the league in offensive rebounds (3.5 orpg.), while he is 11th in defensive rebounds (4.83 drpg.). He has double-digit rebounds in 3 of his first 6 games, while he has twice tied his career-high with 11 rebounds.
- N’Guessan grabbed his first career double-double in the opener vs. No. 21/22 USC (11/6/23), as he scored 10 points on 5-of-8 field goals to go with a then career-best 10 rebounds in just over 27 minutes.
- N’Guessan broke his career-high with 11 rebounds vs. South Dakota State (11/13/23) then matched it in the win over Central Arkansas (11/22/23) while collecting his second double-double with a season-high 11 points.
- N’Guessan gained valuable experience this past summer training with the Dutch National Team, as the Orange Lions competed in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul, Turkiye August 13-16.
- N’Guessan averaged 9 points on 55.6 percent shooting with 6.3 rebounds in 26.6 minutes per game in the 3-game pool play tournament. He opened the tournament with a near double-double of 17 points and 9 rebounds in the Lions’ narrow overtime loss to Sweden on August 13.
BIG MAN OFF TO SOLID START
- Senior Will McNair is off to solid start to the season, averaging 7.3 points on 66.7 percent shooting to go along with 4.2 rebounds through the first 6 games in 17.4 minutes per game.
- McNair scored 8 points vs. USC (11/6/23) in the opener then has earned starts in each of the last 5 games. He has double figures in 2 of those 5 starts, including 10 points each vs. South Dakota State and Providence.
FRESHMEN SHOWING PROMISE
- Three-man freshman class of Dai Dai Ames, R.J. Jones and Macaleab Rich have all shown promise after being pressed into early action. The trio were part of a consensus top-35 recruiting class.
- Ames has already scored in double figures in 3 games, including a season-best 14 points vs. Central Arkansas (11/22/23), while he has dished out at least 3 assists in his 5 games played with a season-high 7 vs. South Dakota State.
- Jones is the only freshman to play in all 6 games, averaging 14 minutes per game. He ranks third on the team in 3-pointers (9), scoring in 5 of 6 games with a season-best 14 points vs. South Dakota State (11/13/23).
- Rich, whose dunk against Central Arkansas made the Sportcenter Top 10, has wowed fans with his potential, logging a near double-double vs. the Bears with a season-best 13 points and 8 rebounds in under 18 minutes.
KALUMA, PERRY NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 TEAM
- Junior Arthur Kaluma and fifth-year senior Tylor Perry were each chosen as Honorable Mention selections to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team by the league coaches when the league office announced its annual preseason teams.
- Kaluma and Perry are the first Wildcats named to the Preseason All-Big 12 since Barry Brown Jr. and Dean Wade in 2018-19.
- A 6-foot-7, 225-pound wing, Kaluma transferred to K-State after an impressive 2-year stint (2021-23) at Creighton, where he helped the Bluejays to 47 wins, including 26 in BIG EAST play, a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances (2022, 2023) and the school’s first trip to the Elite Eight in 2022-23.
- A 5-foot-11, 182-pound guard, Perry came to K-State after a decorated 2-year career (2021-23) at North Texas, where he led the Mean Green to 56 total wins, including a school-record 31 in 2022-23, the 2023 NIT Championship and 2022 C-USA regular-season title. In addition to being the 2023 C-USA Player of the Year and NIT Most Outstanding Player, he was twice named to the C-USA First Team (2022, 2023) while was the league’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2022.
KALUMA NAMED TO PRESEASON WATCH LIST FOR JULIUS ERVING AWARD
- Kaluma was also one of 20 players named to the preseason Watch List for the 2024 Julius Erving Award, which annually recognizes the nation’s top small forward, by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
- This is the second time that Kaluma has been named to a preseason Watch List after he was chosen to the Watch List for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award in 2022-23 while playing at Creighton.
‘CATS CRACK 100 IN LONE EXHIBITION
- K-State connected on 52.1 percent from the field, including 55.6 percent in the second half, as the Wildcats eclipsed 100 points in home exhibition play for the first time since 1993 in a 102-68 win over Division II Emporia State on Nov. 1 before 9,268 fans at Bramlage Coliseum. It was the team’s first and only public exhibition before the start of the 2023-24 season.
- It was the first 100-point game in home exhibition play since a 101-80 win over Fort Hood on Nov. 22, 1993, while it was the most in a home exhibition game since scoring 111 in a win over Michigan AAU on Nov. 15, 1991. The victory also extended K-State’s winning streak in home exhibition play to 29 games, which dates to 2003, and includes 6 wins over Emporia State.
- Junior Cam Carter paced four Wildcats in double figures with a game-high 20 points on 7-of-13 field goals in just 14 minutes to go with 3 assists and 2 steals, while sophomore Jerrell Colbert added 13 points off the bench on 5-of-5 shooting, along with 5 rebounds, also in 14 minutes. Freshman Dai Dai Ames and junior Arthur Kaluma also broke double-digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Freshman Macaleab Rich collected a game-high 9 rebounds to go with his 8 points off the bench. Senior Tylor Perry, who picked up 2 early fouls, dished out a team-best 5 assists to go with 8 points.
- The 100-point game was the eighth in the school’s exhibition history since 1964, including the fifth in Bramlage Coliseum. K-State scored its 102 points on 38 made field goals, including 29 coming inside the 3-point line, while knocking down 17 of 19 attempts (89.5 percent) from the free throw line. The Wildcats scored 56 points in the paint to go along with 25 fast-break points, 21 points off turnovers and 53 bench points. They also had assists on 26 of their 38 field goals with 9 players having at least 2 assists led by Perry’s team-high 5.
K-STATE, TANG AGREE TO EXTENSION THROUGH 2029-30 SEASON
- After a record-setting first season, head coach Jerome Tang agreed to a new 7-year contract through the 2029-30 season to continue his leadership of the Kansas State men’s basketball program, Director of Athletics Gene Taylor announced on September 25.
- The new contract replaces his original 6-year deal that Tang agreed to become the 25th men’s basketball coach in school history on March 21, 2022. Tang now has 7 years left on his agreement that runs until April 30, 2030. The second-year head coach will be paid $3 million in 2023-24 and receive a $100,000 increase to his salary in each remaining contract year culminating in a $3.6 million base for the 2029-30 season. There are also four retention bonuses of $200,000 following the 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.
- Armed with just two returning players, the Wildcats posted a 26-10 overall record in Tang’s inaugural season, which included a tie for third place in the nation’s most difficult conference – the Big 12 – with an 11-7 mark and the school’s 13th appearance in the Elite Eight and the first since 2017-18. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history, trailing the school-record 29 in 2009-10 and the 27 in 2012-13, and just the eighth 25-win campaign.
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP
‘CATS SPENT 10 DAYS IN AUGUST IN ISRAEL, ABU DHABI, U.A.E.
- K-State got a jump start on its preparations for the 2023-24 season with a historic 10-day trip to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates [UAE] from August 9-20.
- During the Israeli portion of the trip, the team enjoyed walking tours of the Old City Jerusalem, the City of David, Bethlehem and Old City Jaffa, visits to the Yad Vashem – the World Holocaust Remembrance Center – as well as the Western Wall and the Dead Sea. While in Abu Dhabi, they visited the Abraham Peace Accords House and the Grand Mosque.
- The Wildcats played 3 games on the tour, defeating the Israeli Select Team, 94-87, on August 15 in Tel Aviv before an 83-81 setback to Team Mexico on August 17 and a 112-72 win over Al-Sharjah on August 18, both in Abu Dhabi. Senior Tylor Perry paced 4 Wildcats in double figures on the tour, averaging 22.7 points on 56.8 percent shooting.
- K-State, along with the University of Arizona, are the first college teams to ever take a foreign tour to Abu Dhabi.
- The exhibition tour was generously sponsored by Athletes for Israel and its Founder Daniel Posner as well as the Abu Dhabi Tourism Board. In their efforts to combat antisemitism and racism, Athletes For Israel brings athletes to Israel so they can experience the Holy Land and develop a connection with its history, culture, innovation and people.
- For more information on the organization and its mission, visit athletesforisrael.org.
UP NEXT: VS. NORTH ALABAMA (3-3)
- K-State continues its 4-game homestand on Saturday, Dec. 2 when the Wildcats play host to North Alabama (3-3) at 1 p.m., CT. Tickets are still available at kstatesports.com/tickets.