Kansas State Beats Kansas: 3 Things We Learned

#1: Kansas State is Tournament-Worthy
Kansas State was on the bubble prior to the game in need of a quality win. With a 16-9 record with losses to top teams like Duke, Florida, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas A&M, the Wildcats had to prove they can beat top teams, not just compete. With a 84 to 68 stomping over rival Kansas, they sure showed their ability to win. Especially with this year’s weak bubble, Kansas State could have solidified a spot with this win.
#2: Ohio State is the True #1
After the Buckeyes loss at Wisconsin, Kansas headed this week’s AP and ESPN polls. Many people knew this would happen, but didn’t approve. Ohio State’s only loss was a 4-point thriller on the road to #10 Wisconsin, who is 14-1 at home this year (with their only loss to 8th ranked Notre Dame). Kansas’ losses at 3rd ranked Texas and at Kansas State are certainly nothing to frown upon, but they were by a combined total of 27 points. Kansas is without a doubt a top 3 team, but it seems as if Ohio State has made the best case for a #1 ranking.
#3: Jacob Pullen is Still an All-American Type of Player
Coming into the season, Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen was Kansas State’s first preseason All-American and a Player of the Year favorite, but with the emergence of players like BYU’s Jimmer Fredette, Duke’s Nolan Smith, and Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger, Pullen’s 18 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 boards per game were inferior to those three. However on Monday, Pullen put his name back on the map with a 9-17 shooting performance including 5-6 from three and 15-19 from the charity stripe that lead to 38 points. Pullen had a career-high on the big stage, and although he didn’t make himself a Player of the Year candidate in one game, he certainly reminded us what we were forgetting.
http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/goldenstomind/kansas_state_beats_kansas_3_things_we_learned/4170393





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