The Wildcats are in the U.S. Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam, and they take on the Revolutionaries in game one.
It’s safe to say that it’s been a lackluster start to the season for your Kansas State Wildcats men’s basketball team. The TangCats are 3-1 and have yet to look impressive, or even much like a team in the first action of the season. Let’s hope a change of scenery does these Cats some good.
K-State is in the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend for the Paradise Jam, and are set to take on the Revolutionaries of George Washington University tonight in the opening action for both teams. GW is 4-0 on the season, but has yet to play any team of note – their best win was an 85-80 affair at home over North Carolina A&T (KP 255). Conversely, at a KenPom rating of 142, GW will be the second-best team K-State (KP 75) has played yet this season. This should look the most like the game against Cleveland State (KP 192), a 77-64 win for the Cats a couple weeks ago.
GW is led by their forwards, specifically sophomore Darren Buchanan Jr., who made the All-A10 Freshman team last year, and junior transfer Rafael Castro. Both players are averaging near a double-doubles, with Buchanan at 17.3ppg/9.0rpg and Castro at 13.5ppg/9.0rpg. The K-State coaching staff is not unfamiliar with Castro, who was on the Providence team that K-State beat on the opening night of the Bahamas tournament last year.
It’s hard to take much of a deeper dive into this K-State team. No leader has stepped up, no “prime” lineup has emerged, and it’s safe to say that four games in, coaches, players, and fans are all still looking for some answers. Regardless, this is a game K-State should win.
We’ll see if they can.
We’ve got an 7:00pm CT tipoff for the game tonight from the UVI Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., and you can catch the action on ESPN+ / WatchESPN with Brad Wells (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) on the call.
If you don’t can’t access the stream, the game can be heard across portions of the 28-station K-State Sports Network with Brian Smoller (play-by-play) and Ben Boyle (analyst) calling the action. The game will also be available online at K-Statesports.com and via the Varsity Network app, as well as via satellite radio on Sirius/XM Ch. 386. Live stats are also available at k-statesports.com, and social media updates (@KStateMBB) will also be a part of the coverage.
Go Cats!