Week by week and win by win, No. 13 Kansas State keeps inching closer to something not experienced by the Wildcats in a generation: a conference basketball championship.

On Saturday night, it was an easy 81-69 victory over Texas that pushed Kansas State (22-5, 11-3 Big 12) just a little bit farther along.

The Wildcats trailed only for a matter of seconds after the game’s first basket, made nine-3-pointers against the toughest perimeter defense in the country and had four players score in double figures in a game they controlled by early in the second half.

”We’re trying to win a championship you know?” said Kansas State guard Angel Rodriguez, who had 16 points and six assists. ”We’ve got to play at a high level. We’ve still got a couple of games. If we keep doing what we do, we should be all right.”

Kansas State shares first place in the Big 12 with No. 9 Kansas and the Wildcats have four games left to chase their first regular season conference championship since winning the old Big Eight title in 1976-77. Kansas State’s best finish in the Big 12 has been a tie for second in 2010.

The Wildcats have already tied their school record for Big 12 wins.

Against Texas, Kansas State shot 50 percent from 3-point range and was a blistering 20 of 22 from the free throw line to snuff out any hopes of a Texas rally. Kansas State had 19 assists on its 26 baskets, consistently whipping the ball around for the open shot, often from long range.

Rodney McGruder led the Wildcats with 20 points.

”They moved the basketball,” Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said. ”They were more aggressive on defense this time than the first time, we kept our composure, made the extra pass that got some easy goals.”

Myck Kabongo had 24 points, the most he’s scored in four games since returning from a 23-game NCAA suspension, but also had just two assists. Texas (12-15, 4-10) is 2-2 since his return, languishing near the bottom of the Big 12 in the Longhorns’ worst season in 15 years under coach Rick Barnes.

Sheldon McClellan, who played just 1 minute in a mid-week win over TCU and has been in and out of trouble with Barnes all season, scored 15 points.

While the Wildcats are chasing a title, Barnes said he will spend Texas’ final few games watching to see who hasn’t quit on the season.

”Who’s in?” Barnes asked. ”If guys check out, decisions will be made.”

Kansas State beat Texas by 26 points in their first meeting and came into this one with an eye for testing the Longhorns from long range. Kansas State’s first three field goals were 3-pointers.

The Wildcats built a 29-19 lead and looked to be in complete control in the first half but a rash of fouls sent Texas to the free throw line 22 times in the half.

Texas trimmed the lead to three points in the final minute before Rodriguez made two free throws and a Texas turnover set up a 3-pointer by Shane Southwell at the buzzer. Texas was trying to set up for the final shot, but Kabongo dribbled the ball off his left foot. Omari Lawrence scooped up the loose ball and passed to Southwell for the running-3-pointer that made it 40-32.

”That was big,” Texas freshman Ioannis Papapetrou said. ”Coach talked about it after the game. It changed the momentum. Instead of a one-possession game, it was a three-possession game.”

The Wildcats quickly asserted control in the second half, opening a 15-point lead. Rodriguez sparked the run with an easy steal at midcourt and layup and Will Spradling was surrounded by three Texas players and still won a scramble a loose ball at their feet to set up a layup by Thomas Gipson. Southwell made two more 3-pointers and the Wildcats led 65-46 with about 10 minutes to play.

— Associated Press —

Former K-State standout Andre Coleman, who has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Youngstown State, will return to his alma mater to tutor the Wildcat wide receivers, head coach Bill Snyder announced today.

A four-year letterwinner at wide receiver under Snyder from 1990-93, Coleman spent the last three seasons on head coach and former K-State offensive lineman Eric Wolford’s staff. Coleman, who went on to have a successful five-year career in the NFL as a player, also became the first Wildcat football player to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl.

“We are pleased to have Andre join our staff,” Snyder said. “As a successful ex-player from our program he has a strong understanding and belief in the philosophy and intrinsic values we believe in.  Having worked with Eric Wolford, also an ex-Kansas State player, Andre has experience coaching in a program with a very similar approach to ours.  He is a caring person who works well with young men and fits in well with our coaching staff.”

In 2011 and 2012, Coleman worked with no seniors and only one junior as he coached multiple freshmen and sophomores who were called into action early in their careers to the tune of 109 total receptions by underclassmen. He helped YSU post a 7-4 record, including a 31-17 victory at Pittsburgh, which served as the school’s first-ever victory over a BCS opponent.

During his first season as the receivers coach in 2011, Coleman guided a group that caught 22 of a school-record 27 touchdown passes, while the Penguins’ 227.5 passing yards per game were the second most in school history and the highest since 1972. Christian Bryan set school freshman records under Coleman’s watch in receptions (46) and yards (722), while his yardage total was the most by a freshman at the FCS level that season. Coaching the tight ends in his first season on the staff in 2010, Coleman’s group hauled in 17 receptions and two touchdowns, helping YSU’s offense set a then-school record at 412 offensive yards per game.

A 1993 All-America and All-Big Eight performer, Coleman left his mark at K-State during his four years by accumulating 3,443 all-purpose yards, including 1,556 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 95 receptions and 1,458 kickoff-return yards on 60 returns. He still sits in K-State’s top 10 in 13 offensive or return categories, including top marks in both single-game all-purpose yards per play (27.0 vs. Missouri in 1993) and career all-purpose yards per play (18.2), and a second-place ranking in both career kickoff-return attempt and yards.

The Hermitage, Pa., product was drafted in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft by San Diego and put together a solid five-year professional career playing for the Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers. A two-time Pro Bowler and 1994 NFL All-Rookie squad honoree, Coleman helped the Chargers win the 1994 AFC Championship and earn a trip to Super Bowl XXIX in which he established eight Super Bowl records at the time, including a then-record 98-yard kickoff return touchdown.

— KSU Sports Information —