Kansas State

With just 5 games remaining on their Big 12 schedule the Kansas State Wildcats have just one thing on their minds:  win out. If they are able to do that the 'Cats have a chance to be outright or co-big 12 champions. But controlling your own destiny is a lot easier than it sounds with what Kansas State has remaining in front of them.  This Saturday the 'Cats will travel to Austin to take on Texas.  The Wildcats easily handled the Longhorns inside Bramlage, 83-57, but that was without Myck Kabongo in the 'Horns lineup.

Will Spradling tied a career-high with 19 points helping lead the Kansas State Wildcats (21-5, 10-3) to a 71-61 victory over West Virginia (13-13, 6-7) and the Wildcats' former coach, Bob Huggins. The Wildcats started scoring early and often in this game quickly building a 20-6 lead in the first half.  The Mountaineers were never able to dig out of the hole in an absolute foul-fest of a game. Nino Williams scored 13 points for KState while Angel Rodriguez finished with 11 points.  This was Rodriguez's fourth straight game scoring in double-digits.

University of Kansas senior center Jeff Withey and Kansas State sophomore guard Angel Rodriguez are co-Big 12 Players of the week after strong performances from both players. For Withey, it was a record-breaking week. He became the conference's all-time leader in blocked shots on Saturday when he passed Chris Mihm of Texas. Earlier in the week, Withey passed Greg Ostertag to become the leader for blocked shots at KU. Ostertag led KU with 263 blocks, while Mihm previously held the Big 12 record with 264. In both games Withey played last week, he had a double-double.

As Shane Southwell walked into the post-game conference room he turned to the woman behind him and said, 'Mom, welcome to my world.'  His mother had just watched her son light up the scoreboard with 18 points against Baylor in a dominating 81-61 victory and this was the first time she would watch him speak in post-game.  As Shane walked up to the podium his mother turned and asked me, 'It's ok if I take pictures right?'  I smiled and said, 'absolutely.' Southwell was just a piece of one of the most balanced and dominating Kansas State efforts all season.  Southwell was one of four Wildcats who would finish in double digits scoring.  Two of those players also finished with double-doubles;  Jordan Henriquez had 10 points and 10 rebounds while Angel Rodriguez finished as the leading scorer with 22 points and 10 assists.

For What it's Worth---on this February 12 -- The Phog has lifted---now all of my KU friends who were worried about this game, can act like they knew it all along. What is it in this series? Kansas wins for the 46th time in the last 49 meetings with the 'Cats who, for all their well-earned toughness, seem to dribble down their….chins-- a lot more than they do the floor when they're facing the Jayhawks. How did it happen? Kansas, coming off what Bill Self called one of his team's best recent practices, shot 59 percent in the opening half against a usually stingy defense.

Ben McLemore scored 30 points and Jeff Withey added 17 as the 14th ranked Kansas Jayhawks ( 20-4, 8-3) beat 10th ranked Kansas State (19-5, 8-3) 83-62 on Monday night. Click here for photos of the warmup Allen Fieldhouse was jam-packed with thousands of screaming fans hoping to will their Jayhawks out of a three-game losing streak.  It started out as a close game but once Thomas Gipson and Jordan Henriquez both got called for their second fouls, Kansas started pulling away.  Kevin Young's dunk followed quickly by an alley oop to Jeff Withey sparked a racuous Fieldhouse to go crazy during a 12-5 run that put Kansas up 28-15.

For the first time since 1988, the Kansas State Wildcats will be ranked higher than the Kansas Jayhawks when the two teams take the court tonight. The new AP poll for the week of February 11 has been released, and K-State checks in at #10, while the Jayhawks fell to #14 in the midst of a three-game losing streak. KSU is currently on a four-game winning streak. Wichita State received three votes in the latest poll. 1. Indiana 2. Duke 3. Miami 4. Michigan   5. Gonzaga 6. Syracuse  7. Florida 8. Michigan St. 9. Arizona   10. Kansas St. 11. Butler 12. Louisville 13. Ohio St. 14. Kansas 15. Georgetown 16. Pittsburgh 17. Oklahoma St. 18. Marquette 19. New Mexico 20. Wisconsin 21. Notre Dame 22. Memphis 23. Oregon 24. Colorado St. 25. Kentucky    Others receiving votes: Minnesota 80, Missouri 69, Cincinnati 68, Saint Mary's (Cal)

Rodney McGruder scored 22 points and Angel Rodriguez added 20 as No. 13 Kansas State knocked off Iowa State 79-70 to take sole possession of first place in the Big 12. Korie Lucious led the Cyclones (16-7, 6-4) with 16 points and reserve Tyrus McGee had 15. The Wildcats (19-4, 8-2) held a slim 33-32 lead at the break in a game that remained close most of the way. With 9:10 remaining, Kansas State led 61-52. In response to a pair of Iowa State baskets, Gipson and Rodriguez both scored and put the Wildcats up 65-55 - the first double-digit lead of the game.

Once heir apparent to Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein, Kansas State quarterback Daniel Sams will face some serious competition thanks to the signing of junior college transfer Jake Waters. Out of all 32 members of the recruiting class announced by Kansas State on Wednesday, Waters might spark the most interest. He directed Iowa Western Community College to a national championship last season, passing for 3,501 yards. Prior to Waters' commitment, many had considered Sams the favorite for the starting job in 2013.

Head football coach Bill Snyder released Kansas State's 2013 recruiting class Wednesday with the announcement of 32 student-athletes who plan on joining or already are a part of the Wildcat program. Kansas State's class of 2013 includes 26 players from the high school ranks and six community-college players. Of the group, nine are currently enrolled at Kansas State and will participate in spring practice. “As we've always maintained, it takes several years to accurately assess the quality of a recruiting class and the young men who represent it,” said Snyder.