Kansas State coach Frank Martin yells encouragement to his team during the first half against Missouri. The Wildcats fell to the Tigers, 75-59, on Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, in Columbia Mo.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on Kansas State on Monday night at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.

Tom, this is just speculation from the outside, but how secure do you think Kansas State coach Frank Martin’s job is following all the drama and disappointment that’s taken place with this year’s team?

Kansas State coach Frank Martin yells encouragement to his team during the first half against Missouri. The Wildcats fell to the Tigers, 75-59, on Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, in Columbia Mo.

Tom Keegan: I would think 100 percent secure given that Kansas State just went to the Elite Eight a year ago. I know we live in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately society and I know his coaching style is unconventional, but come on, it’s only been one underachieving year.
JN: Definitely agree with you, but I will say that the way Martin has handled this season probably isn’t good for his long-term future.

Just last week, Martin was unnecessarily testy after being asked about Curtis Kelly’s status with the team.

Then, after his team’s 58-56 loss to Colorado on Saturday, Martin might have gone a bit overboard when discussing a CU student who yelled a comment to forward Jamar Samuels about his mother.

“Give me that guy’s number. I’ll go show him to talk about some guy’s mom,” Martin said after the game. ” … (Jamar) had more composure than me, because I would have been in the stands ripping someone’s head off.”

Fans will put up with a lot when a team wins, but Martin’s bully act is going to get old quickly if his best players continue to transfer and his team continues to struggle like it has.

Before we move on, Tom, here’s a quick one: Describe Kansas State’s basketball fans in three words.

photo by: Nick Krug

The Kansas State student section yells at Kansas guard Russell Robinson after Robinson picked up his fifth foul during the second half Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008 at Bramlage Colliseum.

TK: Passionate. Raw. Funny.

JN: Transitioning to KU, you put Tyshawn Taylor at the top of the Keegan ratings for the Iowa State game. What did you see from him that made him the choice over one of the Morris twins?

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor elevates for a bucket over Iowa State forward Jordan Railey during the second half on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

TK: I kept changing from among Marcus, Markieff and Taylor and finally went with Taylor based on him taking Iowa State’s most important player, Diante Garrett, completely out of the game. Garrett penetrating to score and dish represented Iowa State’s only shot at competing and Taylor didn’t let that happen. The twins, as expected, dominated the weakest front line in the Big 12. Marcus and Markieff both were awesome, as was Taylor.

JN: With Taylor playing like that, I’m sure KU coach Bill Self sat on the bench wishing that Josh Selby was playing.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas head coach Bill Self hangs on to the ball after catching an errant pass out of bounds from his guard Elijah Johnson during the second half on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Just when Taylor gets comfortable with his role as the main penetrating guard for KU’s offense, Selby will be coming back (perhaps even for the KSU game), which should bring another adjustment period for the point guard.

Even if KU takes an initial step back offensively, the big-picture goal will be to make sure everything runs smoothly by the time the NCAA Tournament begins.

All right, Tom, what’s your prediction for this game?

TK: Kansas 82, Kansas State 73.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Tyshawn Taylor and Brady Morningstar scramble for a loose ball against the Wildcats Rodney McGruder (22) during the second half of the Jayhawks' game against the Kansas State Wildcats, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse. Former KU star Wayne Simien had his jersey retired in a halftime ceremony at the game.

For one brief, shining moment after Rodney McGruder squared himself in mid-air and swished the contested three, Kansas State looked as if its NCAA berth hopes had been revived. Then, after a look at the replay, the refs made the correct call and ruled he released it after the clock expired. K-State will battle hard to get that win back, but KU plays with too much composure and has too many offensive options to lose this one.

JN: I’ll go with KU by 12.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Elijah Johnson secures a loose ball as Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen dives to create a tie-up during the first half on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

This game reminds me a lot of the Tennessee road game for KU last year, as the Jayhawks will enter a tough road environment against a team that is playing short-handed.

Make no mistake: The trip to Bramlage is the toughest place that KU plays each season, and the passionate, raw and funny KSU fans would love nothing more than to have their team’s season turn around with a win over the Jayhawks.

At some point, though, the game is going to come down to basketball, and KSU’s offense has been so dreadful lately that I just can’t see the Wildcats scoring enough to win. KSU’s offensive sets have little motion, and guard Jacob Pullen oftentimes looks like he’s trying to do everything instead of picking his spots where he can be effective.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor defends against a shot from Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen during the first half on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

KSU might keep it close on emotion for a while, but I just don’t see the Wildcats out-executing the Jayhawks through the whole game.

OK, Tom, who’s your Hawk to Rock?

TK: Brady Morningstar. He always plays great in Manhattan.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Brady Morningstar strips the ball from Kansas State guard Denis Clemente during the second half Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010 at Bramlage Coliseum. Clemente picked up an intentional foul for grabbing Morningstar on the play.

JN: I’ve only picked Marcus Morris once this year, and in that game, he posted a career-high 33 points and 13 rebounds. I’m picking him again this game, as I’m thinking we could see another dominant effort from him Monday.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Marcus Morris throws his hands in the air as time expires in the Jayhawks' 81-79 overtime win over Kansas State, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010 at Bramlage Coliseum.

For one, Kansas State fouls a ton defensively, and Marcus is KU’s best at getting to the free-throw line. The Wildcats also don’t have a great defensive matchup for Marcus (though few teams do).

One of Marcus’ first breakout performances came at Bramlage his freshman season when he scored a then-career-high 15 points to go with seven rebounds to help KU overcome a 16-point, first-half deficit in an 85-74 win. He also had 13 points and 10 rebounds in Manhattan last year.

I’ll be surprised if Marcus doesn’t lead the Jayhawks in scoring against the Wildcats on Monday night.

Tracking the picks

Predictions tally (through 25 games)
Tom: 22-3 record, 274 points off (11.0 points off/game)
Jesse: 24-1 record, 288 points off (11.5 points off/game)

Hawk to Rock

Tom Keegan
Longwood: Tyrel Reed (6th in Keegan ratings)
Valparaiso: Marcus Morris (1st)
North Texas: Tyrel Reed (6th)
Texas A&M-CC: Marcus Morris (5th)
Ohio: Markieff Morris (3rd)
Arizona: Marcus Morris (1st)
UCLA: Tyshawn Taylor (1st)
Memphis: Markieff Morris (4th)
Colorado State: Tyshawn Taylor (2nd)
USC: Tyrel Reed (6th)
Cal: Marcus Morris (6th)
UT Arlington: Tyrel Reed (8th)
Miami: Marcus Morris (3rd)
UMKC: Markieff Morris (9th)
Michigan: Thomas Robinson (8th)
Iowa State: Tyshawn Taylor (7th)
Nebraska: Josh Selby (9th)
Baylor: Josh Selby (3rd)
Texas: Marcus Morris (3rd)
Colorado: Markieff Morris (5th)
Kansas State: Marcus Morris (4th)
Texas Tech: Markieff Morris (4th)
Nebraska: Mario Little (7th)
Missouri: Tyrel Reed (7th)
Iowa State: Markieff Morris (2nd)
Average Hawk to Rock: 4.8th in Keegan ratings

Jesse Newell
Longwood: Markieff Morris (1st in Keegan ratings)
Valparaiso: Brady Morningstar (8th)
North Texas: Tyrel Reed (6th)
Texas A&M-CC: Thomas Robinson (2nd)
Ohio: Tyshawn Taylor (4th)
Arizona: Brady Morningstar (8th)
UCLA: Markieff Morris (6th)
Memphis: Thomas Robinson (1st)
Colorado State: Markieff Morris (1st)
USC: Thomas Robinson (2nd)
Cal: Markieff Morris (2nd)
UT Arlington: Brady Morningstar (10th)
Miami: Tyshawn Taylor (8th)
UMKC: Josh Selby (1st)
Michigan: Tyrel Reed (4th)
Iowa State: Marcus Morris (1st)
Nebraska: Thomas Robinson (3rd)
Baylor: Tyshawn Taylor (6th)
Texas: Josh Selby (8th)
Colorado: Jeff Withey (7th)
Kansas State: Tyrel Reed (8th)
Texas Tech: Thomas Robinson (1st)
Nebraska: Tyrel Reed (5th)
Missouri: Markieff Morris (3rd)
Iowa State: Brady Morningstar (4th)
Average Hawk to Rock: 4.4th in Keegan ratings