Winners and Losers: Kansas State knows Big 12 basketball opponents
We wrap up the week was in the world of Kansas State sports and college athletics.
WINNERS
1.) Tang: As we have shared on KSO, Kansas State basketball head coach Jerome Tang is in the works of signing a contract extension. CBS basketball analyst Jon Rothstein reported this week that the contract extension is being finalized.
2.) Bat Cats: K-State third baseman Kaelen Culpepper and closer Tyson Neighbors are receiving strong MLB Draft praise for next year. After a strong showing with USA Baseball, Culpepper has put himself into the conversation of being a potential first round draft pick. Relievers typically are not chosen anywhere high, but David Seifert of D1baseball.com believes Neighbors could be the exception.
3.) Nae’Qwan: Kansas State hooper Nae’Qwan Tomlin was selected to be a participant in Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum’s inaugural Jayson Tatum Elite Camp. It took place in St. Louis over the weekend. Tomlin was just one of 11 collegiate players invited to the camp. Tatum invited 29 small forwards (11 college, 18 high schoolers) to train with him over a four day period.
4.) BIG 12: The Big 12 hosted their inaugural event at Rucker Park earlier in week. Not only was it a success that received good press, it had a strong K-State presence. Women’s basketball coach Jeff Mittie, Markquis Nowell, Tang and Tomlin were all on hand.
5.) KANSAS STATE HOOPS: We also know the Big 12 opponents for the upcoming basketball season. It was announced that K-State will play games at home and on the road versus Kansas, BYU, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and West Virginia. The Wildcats will play in Manhattan only against Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma and UCF and will travel only to Cincinnati, Houston, Texas and Texas Tech. Keeping two games a year versus both the Jayhawks and Cyclones is important for Kansas State. The schedule isn’t too terribly tough, though the road only opponents were a combined 65-9 at home last season.
LOSERS
1.) PAC 12: Another week has passed and the Pac-12 still has not announced a media deal. It is becoming a little bit comical at this point, especially when commissioner George Kliavkoff attempted to state that it was only because they wanted to maintain focus on the football season.
2.) KANSAS: While we have already discussed the K-State draw for the conference basketball slate, it is hard to think anyone received a more daunting gauntlet than Bill Self and Kansas. The Jayhawks have to face all three of Kansas State, Baylor and Houston two times. The road only games also include traveling to both Ames and Lubbock, and most would agree that Iowa State and Texas Tech are two of the tougher venues to play at in the Big 12.
3.) SCHEDULES: It is a bit disappointing that K-State will not be hosting Texas in either football or men’s basketball this season. However, the Kansas State women’s basketball team will play the Longhorns both at home and on the road.
4.) TEXAS A&M: One has to wonder how Texas A&M fans and their athletic department feel about how Texas is already being treated by the SEC. Heck, the league didn’t move anything to the Lone Star State when it added the Aggies to the conference, but SEC Media Days will be in Dallas the first year that Texas and Oklahoma will be included.
5.) JULY: Nothing against July, but after Big 12 Media Days, it feels like a drag. The Royals are terrible and on pace for their worst season in franchise history. Nothing else is really taking place. Just give me football season and another strong year from K-State.
The post Winners and Losers: Kansas State knows Big 12 basketball opponents appeared first on On3.
