The Kansas State Wildcats open conference play looking to stop the bleeding, and snap a three game skid.

 

KSU hosts the No. 17 Cincinnati Bearcats, who enter the matchup 10-1 on the season, and one of the top contenders in the Big 12 conference. The two teams squared off in Cincinnati last season, with the Bearcats earning a slim 74-72 win.

 

The Wildcats will need to rely on new faces, with newcomers combining to score 75.4 percent of the team's 859 points this season. Key players to watch out for are juniors Brendan Hausen and Dug McDaniel, and seniors Max Jones and Coleman Hawkins.

 

The Bearcats have one of the nation's elite defenses, ranking top-10 in the nation in field goal percentage defense, scoring defense, and 3-point defense. They are led by senior wing Simas Lukosius, who averages 15 points per game on efficient shooting. Dan Skillings Jr, Jizzle James, and Texas transfer Dillon Mitchell all provide key minutes as well.

 

Coverage of the KSU conference opener begins tonight at 6 p.m. CT on the Mighty 690, KGGF.