The Kansas State Wildcats were picked to win the Big 12 and has the preseason conference player of the year in Jacob Pullen. This all came a short two months ago but it seems a lifetime away at this point. The Wildcats have lost four of their last seven games including two in a row to kick off Big 12 conference play.
Ranked No. 3 in the preseason, it's a legitimate question: Is Kansas State the most disappointing team in the NCAA?
Because the Wildcats play Big 12 South powers Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas A&M all on the road, their schedule is probably the most difficult in the conference. As a result, it's entirely possible that we could see the Big 12's preseason favorite well back in the pack in the conference race and perhaps even fighting to stay off the bubble come March.
Head coach Frank Martin repeatedly said this team had things to work on early in the year even as they kept winning. With their current injection of losing, it appears Dr. Martin was correct -- Kansas State isn't as good as we thought.
They're clearly lacking senior leadership. Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly were both suspended and Pullen said after the Colorado loss that he wouldn't play in the NIT if that's where Kansas State ended up.
We still have hope for Kansas State after what they did last year but this team needs to figure a few things out if they're going to be realistic contenders this year.