SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Rodney McGruder scored 20 points in 22 minutes and Kansas State beat Boston University 80-70 Thursday night in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

Denis Clemente had all the tools. Playing baseball in Puerto Rico, the Kansas State guard possessed the ability to turn a routine play into an infield single, a single into a double and a questionable double into a triple.

The saga is finally over. Freddy Asprilla, one of the most highly touted players in the country, ended his recruitment Tuesday morning by signing with Kansas State, becoming the fourth player (Denis Clemente, Luis Colon, Jason Bennett) from the Miami Tropics traveling team who will play for the Wildcats.

Last season, when opponents drove in the lane, Darren Kent could often be found stepping in to take a charge.

Frank Martin wanted to see his team respond. The Kansas State coach was noticeably upset following Friday night's 92-54 victory over Loyola Chicago.

MANHATTAN, Kan. Jamar Samuels scored 19 points and Kansas State defeated Western Illinois 82-50 on Sunday.

It's an adage players often scoff at and coaches typically preach: "You play how you practice." It's unlikely anyone on the Kansas State roster doubted that theory following Friday night's contest against Loyola Chicago.

MANHATTAN, Kan. Curtis Kelly marked his Kansas State debut with 22 points and the Wildcats turned a tight game into a runaway en route to a 92-54 victory over Loyola of Chicago on Friday night.

Two years ago, Jacob Pullen could have been found eating sunflower seeds from the sideline while the scouting report was given out. The Kansas State guard was a freshman. To his own admission, he lacked maturity. Not surprising considering he arrived at K-State at the age of 17.