Michael Ashford from GoPowercat.com will join KUSports.com to talk about Kansas State’s upcoming matchup against KU on Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum. Ashford covered the teams’ first game in Lawrence and is prepared to take on any question that relates to the Wildcats or Saturday’s game in Manhattan. He will join KUSports.com Friday at 7 p.m. to answer your Sunflower Showdown queries.

K_Easthouse

I know that Ashford and Newell were both working in the same newsroom for a while at the Emporia Gazette. Were there any bets between the two for any Kansas-Kansas State matchups?

Moderator

Hey, this is Jesse Newell, KUsports.com online editor. I’m happy to have Michael Ashford of GoPowercat.com with us today. Mike, thanks for joining us.

Michael Ashford

Thanks for having me Jesse. I feel like we’re back in Emporia for another episode of the Sports Buzz. But seriously, I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s game. Let’s get started with some questions.

Moderator

Well Mike, obviously K-State has been playing much better since KU fans last saw the Wildcats. What’s been the biggest difference for K-State in these last six games?

Michael Ashford

There are a few things that have changed since the last time these two squads met. The biggest difference is simply that K-State now knows it can win in the Big 12 against good competition instead of hoping it can win. The Wildcat shooters — Fred Brown in particular — have been nails at the end of tight games, and that all goes back to confidence and knowing how to win.

Also, K-State is playing with the defensive tenacity that Frank Martin demands of his teams. Just look at how the Wildcats opened against Tech. In the first meeting in Lawrence, K-State was coming off the Oklahoma loss where defensively, the Wildcats just fell apart.

Lastly, K-State has gotten much better at its half-court offense. K-State’s a team that loves to get out and run, but as Big 12 teams took away that ability, K-State was forced to run the half-court offense, and as it turns out, it improved.

Moderator

Sounds good. Let’s get to some reader questions.

DSommersby

Hi Michael,

From your perspective, what are the key areas the Jayhawks will need to attack to get the win over the Wildcats? What have been the areas where K-State has struggled or has the biggest problems against?

Rock Chalk!

Michael Ashford

KU has to feed the ball inside to Aldrich. It’s no secret that K-State’s interior is somewhat lacking, and Aldrich will be the best interior player on the court on Saturday. K-State forward Darren Kent has stepped up big during the six-game winning streak, but when push comes to shove, Aldrich has him beat talent-wise. It would be wise if KU made sure Aldrich got his touches.

Also, K-State, even though its been playing better basketball and better defense, they’ve still left some shooters with wide-open looks from three-point range.

railer1122

What is K-State’s key to success? Is it Clemente, Pullen, or the collection of the big guys down low?

What is KU’s key to success in what is likely to be a hostile enviroment?

And I heard Beasley is coming back, then I heard he isn’t because of sponsorship obligations. What is the true story on that?

Michael Ashford

While Clemente and Pullen are the motors that drive the Wildcats, K-State must establish some kind of presence down low, even if it is as simple as just feeding the ball to the big guys down low and allow them to find the shooters on the perimeter.

KU will have to put what happened in Columbia on Monday behind them. I know Collins and Aldrich can do it — they’ve played in the national championship game and won. But the freshmen and the new guys on KU’s roster who have never experienced Bramlage Coliseum as it will be on Saturday will have to put all the surrounding elements out of their heads and just play basketball. Because with as crazy as last year’s game was, a storm is brewing that might make Bramlage even more wild than a season ago.

And we all heard Beasley was planning on being in Manhattan, but one of his sponsors had him booked for an appearance. K-State is supposed to have some recruits in, however.

patton6

Aside from offensive rebounding, would you say Kansas State does one thing better than the Jayhawks? If so, what is that one thing?

Michael Ashford

When K-State is playing at its best defensively, the Wildcats are the best defensive team in the Big 12. These past six games, K-State has played some pretty tenacious defense, and it allowed the Wildcats to win tight games at Texas and Texas A&M, and it helped the Wildcats completely dismantle Missouri and Texas Tech at home. If K-State’s defense is on, watch out.

RockChalkJayBlog

Why are K-State fans obsessed with Kansas?

Michael Ashford

Because we like this state. Sure, it doesn’t have the mountains of Colorado or the beaches of California, but I’d say Kansas has a lot of real nice qualities that warrant obsession.

Seriously, the question could also be asked: “Why are Kansas fans so obsessed with believing K-State fans are obsessed with them?”

Moderator

Nice answer on Kansas (the state).

MGoble

Michael, thanks for taking the time to chat with avid Kansas (state of) sports fans. My question is simple: Which guard duo is more important to their respective team’s success, Collins/Taylor or Pullen/Clemente? Thanks.

Michael Ashford

Thanks. It can be tough to get sarcasm to come across in type.

Michael Ashford

This is tough, because Collins by himself is probably the best guard in the Big 12. And when it comes to this matchup, he’s always played his “A game” against the Wildcats.

But I’d have to say the Clemente/Pullen duo is more important to K-State’s success, simply because K-State does not have someone down low that the Wildcats can rely on to consistently deliver night-in and night-out. KU has that with Aldrich. Without Clemente/Pullen, the Wildcats are toast.

Moderator

Here’s a football question for you.

lance1jhawk

I’ve heard from a very reliable source close to the KU football program that Bill Snyder has approached Mark Mangino about coming to Manhatten to be the Coach in Waiting. Do you have any credible evidence on that?

Michael Ashford

In a word — bogus. This is completely untrue. Even if K-State was looking to name a coach in waiting (which isn’t happening), it would be very unlikely that Mark Mangino would be a candidate. He’s got his own program going at KU. Why would he concern himself with another school? So no, this did not happen, nor will it ever.

Moderator

OK a couple silly ones from readers before I grill you with questions to end our chat.

RckChalkJeff

Did you remember your Powertowel?

Michael Ashford

Oh geez. Seriously, I’m not quite sure what the marketing department at K-State was thinking with that one. Bad, just bad.

Moderator

As a KSU alum, have you ever owned a Powertowel?

Michael Ashford

Can I say yes and still be considered credible?

Moderator

We all make mistakes. But like A-Rod and Michael Phelps, you have come forward and taken on responsibility for your previous actions. I can admire that.

Turn your sarcasm meter back on.

stupidmichael

Michael,

I noticed you have taken a step backwards in your career… going from covering Emporia High School athletics to covering Kansas State athletics. Any plans on returning to glory?

Michael Ashford

While covering the numerous gymnastics meets and worrying about whiny parents was certainly a highlight to my days at The Emporia Gazette, I’ll do you one better. I only cover K-State sports on the side now. I have a new job away from journalism, and (no offense to my friends still in the biz), I consider it a huge step forward for myself.

Moderator

All right, Mike, a couple more things before we let you go.

Fill in the blank for me: KSU will beat KU on Saturday if …

Michael Ashford

…the Wildcats don’t get too hyped up and continue to play at the level that has allowed them to crawl out of an 0-4 start to conference play and onto the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Moderator

OK, one last thing. I can’t let you go without hearing your prediction for Saturday’s game.

Michael Ashford

I’m terrible at picking scores, but I’ll say Wildcats by 8.

Moderator

Thanks again, Mike, for joining us for this chat, and thanks to all the KUsports.com readers for posting your questions (serious and otherwise).

Mike, have a good rest of the day, and go hide that Powertowel of yours (wherever it is).

Michael Ashford

Thanks for having me Jesse, and thanks for sending in all the questions everyone. I enjoyed this.