Thad Allender/Journal-World PhotoManhattan ? Wayne Simien was in his mother’s womb the last time Kansas University’s men’s basketball team lost to Kansas State in the Little Apple.
The date of KSU’s last home victory over KU, a 58-57 decision, was Jan. 29, 1983, or five weeks before Simien was welcomed into the world.
KU’s 6-foot-9 junior forward from Leavenworth understands the Jayhawks’ domination of the series — KU is 48-6 in his lifetime against the Wildcats.
Kansas will shoot for its 21st straight win in Manhattan at 8:05 tonight at Bramlage Coliseum, but Simien doesn’t dwell on the streak.
“Not really,” he said. “It’s more for fans and media and whatnot. There’s so much pressure for us to perform every night no matter who it is we’re playing, the streak doesn’t have much weight for us. A lot of guys here have only been part of one or two games in the streak.”
The names have changed, but each year KU has taken the same stance toward its win streak in Manhattan and overall 27-game win streak over the Wildcats: Ignore it.
“It means nothing as far as this team, this year,” point guard Aaron Miles said. “They have good personnel, a good team, and we know we have to play well to win.”
Just 14 days ago, No. 15-ranked KU (12-3 overall, 4-0 Big 12 Conference) saw a 14-point lead dwindle to four late in a 73-67 victory over KSU at Allen Fieldhouse.
“It seems they have a bit of a swagger about them this year compared to the past couple of years,” Simien said of the Wildcats (9-6, 1-3). “They had that confidence (in Lawrence). It’ll be a tough road game. When we get to Manhattan, we have to hit the boards.”
Tonight, the Wildcats receive a reinforcement in Dez Willingham, a 5-11 freshman from DeSoto, Texas, who missed the first meeting because of a shoulder injury.
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“Based on the way they played us last time, even being shorthanded, we know we have to be good,” KU coach Bill Self said. “We had them down 14 and a chance to crack it (open). The last 15 minutes, they were terrific, hungry and attacked us in several key moments.
“K-State played well. Since Jim (Wooldridge) has been there, this is the most talented team they have had.”
KSU’s Wooldridge is 0-3 versus KU in Manhattan and 0-8 overall.
“We don’t really use it one way or the other,” Wooldridge said of using the streak as motivation. “You always want to play well on your home floor, protect your home floor against any opponent — KU or any other team that comes here.
“We’ll have a good crowd and that type of atmosphere always plays to the home team. We hope that kind of atmosphere will help us.”
KU’s motivation is more than a streak or two. The two-time defending league champion Jayhawks are the only remaining undefeated team in conference play.
“We have the mindset this is another Big 12 opponent,” junior guard Keith Langford said. “Regardless of the name on the shirt, to win the Big 12 we have to beat Big 12 opponents. It’s how we look at every team, every game.”
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