Back to Home > Sunday, Nov 12, 2006 Posted on Sun, Nov. 12, 2006 email this print this reprint or... Wildcats struggle in opene

He sat on the edge of the scorer's table with a dour expression on his face. Bob Huggins was miserable. Saturday was his first game at Kansas State, his first in Bramlage Coliseum, and his Wildcats weren't meeting his expectations against William & Mary. He tried yelling at his players -- actually he never stopped, but that didn't seem to help.

So he sat on the edge of the scorer's table, a concession to his bad back, dressed in a suit a shade of purple only a true K-State fan could appreciate, reduced to muttering to himself. And this was during a 70-60 victory by the Wildcats.

K-State (1-0) shot 30 percent from the field, a laughable 24 for 80. The only time the Wildcats shot worse was last year when K-State connected on 23.4 percent of its shots in a 57-42 loss to Nebraska in Manhattan.

But then again, maybe that's the difference. A year ago, the Wildcats probably lose a game like this. Saturday, K-State missed 15 of its first 18 attempts and trailed 18-7 midway through the first half. The Wildcats responded with a 20-2 run fueled by a half-court trap, restoring order against the athletically inferior Pride (0-1), who were paced by David Schneider's 18 points.

K-State led 34-27 at the half. The second half was more of the same as the final outcome was never in doubt. The Wildcats led by as many as 14 with 4:01 to play.

Lance Harris led the way with 22 points, including three three-pointers. He added seven rebounds. David Hoskins, despite making only four field goals, finished with 15 points. He also had seven rebounds. Blake Young scored 11 points in his K-State debut, handing out five assists as well. Akeem Wright added 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

But nobody shot well, especially Cartier Martin. He was 2 for 9 from the field, totaling only five points. He was in foul trouble throughout the afternoon, playing only 12 minutes.

"It was more like they shot it to go get it," William and Mary coach Tony Shaver said. "I don't think they have a great shooting ball club, but I think that will improve with time."

The players spoke of how they were tight early in the game, perhaps too anxious. Harris acknowledged the weight of the expectations -- from Huggins and the fans, who were dead silent at times Saturday.

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