2006 Kansas State Wildcats Basketball Preview

2006 Kansas State Wildcats Basketball Predictions

The major change for this team occurred when the Wildcats hired Bob Huggins (567- 199 over 24 years), the former Cincinnati head coach who was extremely successful and equally controversial when with the Bearcats. Immediately after being hired, Huggins went into action in an effort to remake last year’s 15- 13 (6- 10 Big East) Wildcats into NCAA Tournament contenders.

Huggins captured shooting guard Blake Young from Daytona Community College, where he averaged 23.2 PPG under coach Brad Underwood. Huggins also hired Underwood as his director of operations. Clent Stewart (4.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 43.2 FG%, 61.5 FT%), a junior, will start at point guard. Stewart will have to improve his ball handling for this team to excel. Senior Akeem Wright (6.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 36.3 FG%, 61.5 FT%) will continue as the club’s top perimeter defender.

Huggins’ primary recruit, center Jason Bennet, stands 7’ 3” tall and weighs in at 265-pounds. As a high school senior, Bennet averaged 12.5 PPG, 13.5 RPG and 8.0 BPG. Huggins has designated him as the centerpiece of this team. Although the new coach suspended swingman Cartier Martin (18.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 47.2 FG%, 84.1 FT%) in the spring, he’s expected to return. If he does, the Wildcats will have an offensive dynamo. Small forward David Hoskins (13.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 50.8 FG%, 69.6 FT%), a senior, returns and freshman Luis Colon will contribute off the bench.

With the hiring of Huggins, Kansas State fans and officials are extremely optimistic. And who can blame them? Huggins led Cincinnati to 14 straight NCAA appearances, including the Final Four in 1992. He’s a no nonsense coach who has, in the past, generated controversy over his treatment of players. But he also sells tickets and hope.

After a decade-long drought, the Kansas State Wildcats look like they have the juice to get to the Big Dance. In a conference that’s in flux, this team is definitely on the upswing. If Huggins can get everyone on the same page and keep them there, the Wildcats will see marked improvement immediately.

If you want more info on the 2006 Kansas State Wildcats College basketball team check out the NCAA's official basketball team page of the program or check out some rival previews from Maddux Sports of schools like the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Oklahoma Sooners.