Kansas State Wildcats
Overall Rank: #42
Conference Rank: #5 Big 12
Kansas State finished with a losing record in Big 12 play, but still managed to sneak into the NCAA Tournament, where they beat George Washington in the first round. With four starters returning, the expectations are rising in Manhattan. Breanna Lewis will once again lead the way after averaging 16.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. The 6-5 senior is a dominating force on both ends of the floor for the Wildcats. With starter Kaylee Page and freshmen Peyton Williams and Eternati Willock joining the mix, there may not be a better frontcourt in the Big 12.
2015-16 Record: 19-13, 8-10
2015-16 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jeff Mittie
Coach Record: 38-27 at Kansas State, 492-262 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Megan Deines, 9.6 ppg
Brianna Craig, 4.3 ppg
Antoinette Taylor, 2.7 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Breanna Lewis, Senior, Center, 16.7 ppg
Kindred Wesemann, Senior, Guard, 12.1 ppg
Kaylee Page, Junior, Forward, 6.6 ppg
Shaelyn Martin, Junior, Guard, 4.5 ppg
Jessica Sheble, Senior, Forward, 2.7 ppg
Erica Young. Senior, Forward, 2.2 ppg
Kayla Goth, Sophomore, Guard, 1.9 ppg
Kelly Thomson, Senior, Guard, 1.8 ppg
Anna Hammaker, Sophomore, Guard, 1.3 ppg
Key New Players
Mercedes Brooks, Freshman, Guard
Karyla Middlebrook, Junior, Guard, Graduate Transfer from Alabama
Lanie Page, RS Freshman, Forward
Peyton Williams, Freshman, Forward
Eternati Willock, Freshman, Forward
Projection
It is in the backcourt where Kansas State could have some problems. However, Shaelyn Martin is a solid point guard who can create opportunities for her teammates. Kindred Wesemann can handle the ball too, but she is the main scoring threat on the perimeter as well. Wesemann connected on 39.7 percent of her 214 three-point attempts in 2015-2016 and averaged 12.1 points per game. With the experience in the backcourt and Lewis leading the frontcourt, the Wildcats are poised to make a bigger run in the NCAA Tournament in 2017.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 64.4 (157th in nation, 8th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.4 (115, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 40.9 (111, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 36.8 (47, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.8 (61, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.2 (119, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 64.8 (307, 9)
Rebound Margin: -2.7 (247, 8)
Assists Per Game: 14.9 (59, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.3 (128, 3)
Madness 2016 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#83 Eternati Willock
#87 Peyton Williams
