Big challenge awaits short-handed Kansas State at Alabama in first game after brawl
This is the type of basketball game that will test Bruce Weber’s coaching abilities.
When the Kansas State Wildcats take on the Alabama Crimson Tide at 5 p.m. Saturday in Coleman Coliseum as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge, he will be missing some key members from his usual playing rotation.
Freshman forward Antonio Gordon will miss K-State’s next three games while serving a suspension for his role in the brawl that took place at the end of the Sunflower Showdown earlier this week at Allen Fieldhouse. And junior guard Mike McGuirl remains questionable as he recovers from a concussion.
If both players are unable to take the court against Alabama, Weber’s typical rotation of nine will drop to seven, meaning he may need to rely on a few players who rarely see significant action. That’s not great news for a game in a difficult road setting against a surging opponent that has won three straight, including an impressive 83-64 victory over previously unbeaten Auburn.
“We are catching them when they are on a little bit of a nice hot streak,” Weber said. “They are playing with some positive energy.”
K-State has played without some of its key players in several games this season. Montavious Murphy, McGuirl and Gordon have been relegated to the bench for various reasons, so this isn’t entirely new for Weber and his coaching staff. But this is the thinnest the Wildcats have been all year.
Without Gordon, they will need to rely on Levi Stockard, Makol Mawien and Montavious Murphy to avoid foul trouble inside. If that doesn’t happen, Weber will have no choice but to turn to seldom-used reserves Pierson McAtee and Nigel Shadd.
Weber has trusted McAtee enough to use him in spot situations, but Shadd has only played in one game.
It will be interesting to see how either player responds if Weber calls their number against Alabama. This is hardly the ideal time to play a difficult road game, even if it is part of an event that brings attention to a pair of conferences.
“I love the SEC Challenge,” Weber said. “I don’t like where it is in the middle of January in the middle of your conference (schedule). I wish it was in December, but I think it is a great thing. It is good for both conferences. When you have to go on the road it makes it even tougher.
“We came off a road game (Tuesday), now we have another road game. It adds some excitement. It’s a good Saturday to get exposure for your conferences and your programs. I hope it is a positive for the Big 12.”
Without Gordon, K-State will miss one of its best reserve forwards. He is averaging 5.0 points and 3.9 rebounds. Without McGuril, K-State will miss its most consistent three-point shooter and one of its top defenders.
The Wildcats were thought to be underdogs heading into this game at full strength. It will be even more difficult for them without a full assortment of players.
This story was originally published January 24, 2020 at 1:21 PM with the headline "Big challenge awaits short-handed Kansas State at Alabama in first game after brawl."