Five things: Kansas State non-conference schedule takeaways
1.) My immediate takeaway is that the non-conference slate is less difficult for Kansas State. Sure, some of last year’s high-profile opponents did not live up to the hype, but it was still more challenging. They had to play Miami, USC, Providence, LSU and Villanova. Only two high-major non-conference opponents are on the K-State schedule this year – LSU and St. John’s. And easing into it with New Orleans and Cleveland State in Bramlage Coliseum is far easier to navigate than playing NBA Draft picks game one in Las Vegas. While it’s not completely the Iowa State cupcake strategy, it isn’t the load-up approach, either.
2.) Jerome Tang and Kansas State still get some tricky mid-major opponents this upcoming season, though. Drake and Wichita State are certain opponents, but the Wildcats will likely see two of Liberty, UAB and McNeese as well. All three have a chance to advance to the NCAA Tournament and even do some damage.
3.) December could be an odd month for K-State. There’s a chance they only play one game in Bramlage Coliseum. The only one scheduled is on the first versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff. That could change if they open Big 12 play at home on New Year’s Eve. The Wildcats play only five games total in December. But that’s probably not a bad thing. The fewer home games while the students are on break, the better.
4.) Has Tang reversed course on the annual game in Kansas City? There was a time when the Kansas State head coach wasn’t all that motivated to continue the tradition. But the game at the T-Mobile Center in years one and two were already on the slate before he was hired. Well, he and his staff did intentionally arrange a game for Kansas City. They’ll play Drake at the T-Mobile Center on December 17.
5.) One of the talking points of the K-State football offseason was how they may be favored in every single game this season when looking at the schedule. I could say that about the basketball non-conference schedule, too. Maybe they’re the underdog when they take on Rick Pitino and St. John’s in New York. But they should be the favorite for every ‘buy’ game, every contest in the Paradise Jam and at home against LSU.
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