Merril’s Xavier at Kansas State Picks
December 8, 2009
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The Kansas St players have been looking forward to tonight’s game for quite some time. Back in 2007, Xavier crushed Kansas St 103-77 on New Year’s Eve, and the players still remember that game. “That’s one of the worst New Year’s I’ve ever had,” Jacob Pullen said. “I don’t want to say it’s a rivalry, but a lot of us have bitter tastes in our mouths. That was one of the worst losses I’ve ever suffered since I started playing college basketball. I really want to beat them by a lot,” Pullen said.
Not only do the players remember the score, but they also recall Xavier players disrespecting them. The Musketeers spent much of the second half telling jokes and laughing at the Wildcats as they tried to get back in the game. “It’s like getting beat up as a kid,” Pullen said. “You see that dude later on; you’re not gonna like him.”
And head coach Frank Martin is right with his players. “It’s the worst loss I’ve ever had as a college basketball coach,” Martin said. “I’m a prideful guy. I don’t forget those things.” As soon as he mentioned Xavier, his players did the talking for him. “I didn’t have to say anything else,” Martin said. “Jacob and Jamar Samuels and all those guys on the team, they jumped up. They remembered. I don’t think focus or desire is going to be much of an issue.” With this being Xavier’s first true road game, Kansas St gets a comfortable win tonight.
