The first thing I think of when it comes to Kansas State is how similar they are to TCU. Maybe it’s the purple. But they both have small but dynamic guards and long, athletic forwards.
I studied Kansas State’s last two games vs. Oklahoma State and Iowa State for this scout.
Kansas State Overview
Kansas State has a solid team and is well-coached by Jerome Tang. They are very athletic in the front court, and their guards are shot- and play-makers. This dangerous team is playing really well despite the loss at Iowa State. It’s a tough break for them to play at Hilton Coliseum and Fertitta Center in about 60 hours.
Kansas State doesn’t jump off the page in any significant team statistical categories like most Big 12 teams do. They aren’t ranked in the “top 50” nationally in any major category. They aren’t great at anything but are solid at everything. This is the first game of the three-game stretch all Coog fans have circled all year. It is imperative for UH to come in focused on the team in front of them and take care of business at home. Holding serve at home is vital to anything this team wants to do in the Big 12.
Head of the Snake
Kansas State has a few worthy candidates! #2 Tylor Perry is their go-to guy down the stretch when they need to make something happen. #5 Cam Carter is a dynamic, athletic, three-level scoring threat and the team’s leading scorer. #13 Will McNair is a monster in the paint. The trio of Carter, Perry, and Kaluma are ranked in the top 50 nationally in minutes per game.
But for me, Creighton transfer #24 Arthur Kaluma is the “Head of the Snake.”
Kaluma is a long and very athletic forward. He is a legit three-level scorer. He is at his best when attacking the rim, but he is a capable outside shooter who can make very difficult shots. With the exception of David Jones from Memphis, Kaluma has the best “shot fake” I’ve seen this year.
He forces guys off their feet, then drives past them to attack the basket. He’s an outstanding talent, and there’s no doubt the Coogs will have a plan to limit his opportunities.
K-State Offense
- Not a huge transition offensive team. Only score in transition 27% of the time. When they do look to score in transition, it’s a 50/50 split between shooting the three or attacking the rim.
- Kansas State runs a ton of isolation sets. They like to space the floor and allow guys to drive to score or kick to open shooters. Kaluma is their best iso guy at making a play at the basket or shooting the three. Perry creates for himself often and is looking to shoot the three off the dribble.
- Decent offensive rebounding team (ranked #46 nationally with 12.58 per game);
K-State Defense
- Kansas State is a decent defensive team. They have good length that can bother teams at the rim, but they give up many threes and shots in the paint.
- Only played halfcourt man-to-man defense against Iowa State.
- Didn’t attempt to fullcourt press once in the games that I watched. Maybe saving it for UH?
- May try some 1-3-1 zone defense;
