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K-State players aiming high with Huggins
BY JEFFREY MARTIN
The Wichita Eagle
MANHATTAN - Look past the crazy coif and listen to what Ryan Patzwald has to say.
Of all of the players on Kansas State's men's basketball team, he's the most familiar with Bob Huggins, suiting up for the new Wildcats coach when he was still on the sidelines at Cincinnati. He was a walk-on, as he is now, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound guard who will leave the bench only during timeouts and blowouts. Any attention he attracts won't be on account of his jump shot, but due to his spiked mohawk.
By default, he's the expert on all matters concerning Huggins, which is why he was in demand Wednesday during K-State's basketball media day. It's a role he's already perfected with his peers, who peppered Patzwald with questions about what to expect.
"Four hours of hell," he told them, referring to the daily workouts.
But, Patzwald quickly added, if they listened to Huggins, good things would happen.
Like the NBA.
Wednesday, without being prompted, Huggins mentioned The League. He was talking about Cartier Martin, K-State's star senior, lamenting the fact that the 6-foot-7 wing might have to spend time at power forward for the post-challenged Wildcats.
"But he needs to learn how to play on the perimeter if he's going to have a future in this game," Huggins said.
Last year, Martin toyed with the idea of forgoing his final season in Manhattan and declaring for the NBA Draft. Now, with Huggins as his coach, Martin jokingly wishes he had more years of eligibility. But he turned serious when asked what impact Huggins might have on his development.
"I think he'll give me the chance to play my best," Martin said. "If that leads to the next level, great."
At Cincinnati, Patzwald played with future NBAers such as Jason Maxiell and James White. He believes the talent on this K-State squad is comparable, suggesting three Wildcats -- Martin, senior guard Lance Harris and junior guard/forward David Hoskins -- could make the leap.
"All three have a chance," he said.
Harris, who doesn't lack for confidence, said Wednesday he has spoken with Huggins about that very topic, which is his goal. The key, the coach told Harris, is his defensive intensity, which caused Harris to laugh.
"I'm kind of slacking on that," Harris said.
Hoskins can't wait to experience the offensive freedom Huggins' offense affords. He believes that will be his ticket, if he keeps improving, to the next level.
"It's definitely possible," Hoskins said. "He puts in sets to get the defense moving, and then you can show your game."
Patzwald knows all of this, nodding his much-discussed head in agreement.
It's all possible, he said Wednesday, with Huggins around. Huggins is why Patzwald is in Manhattan, busting his tail through those torturous four-hour sessions, happy to be a part of something new, a once-proud program's potential rebirth.
"I know (Huggins) is definitely excited about what we can do," Patzwald said. "I think we can make some noise."
