Voters have faith in K-State hoops

Michael Beasley is leaving for the NBA, but Kansas State basketball is here to stay.

That is the majority sentiment of nearly 300 readers who voted in a CJOnline poll asking how the Wildcats will fare next season without Beasley and his 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game.

More than 80 percent of respondents believe the Wildcats will reach the postseason in 2009, continuing a trend that started with the 2007 team's bid to the NIT and this season's run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Although only 12 percent said K-State will be better without Michael Beasley, a total of 62 percent said K-State will return to the NCAA tourney.

As for which player will lead the Wildcats in 2008-09, sophomore guard Jacob Pullen (above) received the nod with 37 percent of the vote. However, 34 percent of voters said they believe either Bill Walker or David Hoskins will return next season to assume K-State's go-to role. Bill Walker has declared for June's NBA draft but hasn't retained an agent; Hoskins is recovering from multiple knee surgeries and waiting to learn whether the NCAA will grant him a medical hardship and sixth year of eligibility.

Guard Denis Clemente, a transfer from Miami who sat out last season under NCAA rules, was listed on 10 percent of the ballots, while Ron Anderson received 6 percent of the vote.

[More at www.cjonline.com]