INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 13-16; 6-10 in Big 12 (Tied/7th) Postseason: None. Last appearance in NCAA Tournament was in 2001. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Pasco 12.1 Rebs: Pasco 8.4 Assists: DeJesus 1.2 FG: Pasco 55.9% 3pt: DeJesus 36.7% FT: DeJesus 58.8% 01-02 Stats: Kansas State | Big 12 KEY LOSSES Larry Reid | 14.4 ppg Travis Reynolds | 9.4 ppg Nick Williams | 9.0 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Frank Richards | Junior G | Jarrett Hart | Junior G | Gilson DeJesus | Soph F | Pervis Pasco | Junior F | Matt Siebrandt | Junior Player to Watch Pervis Pasco Junior Forward Only Big 12 player to rank in top five in rebounding, FG percentage and blocks. DATE TO REMEMBER Jan. 15 Maybe a trip to Colorado isn't a big rivalry game for K-State, but it is a measuring stick. If the Wildcats want to be a true player in the Big 12, this early conference game is one they have to win.

 

KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

The Kansas State football program made its move toward national prominence in part though the recruitment of junior college players. Now K-State hoops coach Jim Wooldridge is using that same blueprint. the Wildcats will have four new junior college players on their roster this season and two of them -- Frank Richards and Jarrett Hart -- will likely be fixtures in the starting lineup. Richards and Hart, who started his collegiate career at Oklahoma, will have to be productive as they have to help replace guard Larry Reid, K-State's leading scorer a year ago. Junior college transfers Tim Ellis and Seth Elliott are both expected to see playing time in reserve rolls on the perimeter. The Wildcats optimism isn't all about the juco transfers, however. That's because freshman Marques Hayden is a highly touted freshman power forward. Hayden, who still needs to improve defensively, has a chance to be a four-year impact player in Manhattan. Hayden is also in a position where he doesn't have to deliver immediately. With Pervis Pasco and Matt Siebrandt returning up front, Hayden can learn as his freshman season progresses.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
With Pasco and Siebrandt, the Wildcats have one of the better frontlines in the Big 12. Pasco ranked in the Big 12's top five a year ago in rebounding, blocked shots and field goal percentage while scoring 12.1 points per game. Siebrandt is a blue-collar kind of player who could average double figures this season.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
While the junior college transfers have talent, they have to make the adjustment to Division I basketball. After playing at a level where talented players often have a constant green light to shoot, Division I coaches often shake their heads at the shot selection of juco transfers. With four juco guards, Wooldridge will have to make sure they're willing to play within the system -- especially with the Wildcats running the triangle offense.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
Kansas State should be better - the talent level is improved - but will that translate into more victories? That's difficult to tell. Like most of the other middle-of-the-pack schools in the Big 12, K-State is in the difficult position of trying to move up in the best league in the country.