The beard worked. Pullen, through his first 14 games, was shooting 47 percent from the field and 46 percent from 3-point range. He was averaging more than 20 points a game — reaching at least 20 in seven of eight games during one stretch, including a 28-point outing at UNLV and 30 points at Alabama in back-to-back games.
Clearly, the beard was the reason for the success. Sure, the beard started as nothing more than a five o'clock shadow months ago, but in no time Pullen had himself a genuine chinstrap worthy of the legions of followers who watched his hot streak get hotter and hotter as the non-conference slate carried on.
But the time has come for Pullen and his famous fur to part ways.
Pullen's shot is gone. Or at least missing right now.
I too thought it was nothing more than a blip on the map when Jacob struggled to find his groove at home against Texas A&M. But then it happened again at Colorado.
Pullen's slump reached a new low against Texas when he made just 2-of-15 from the field and all six 3-pointers attempted. Then just when you thought it couldn't get worse, Pullen's shot eluded him on Saturday too as he again made just 2-of-15 from the field and 2-of-12 behind the arc.
In the last two games Pullen is 4-of-30 from the field and 2-of-18 from downtown. He's only shooting 25 percent from the field during K-State's four Big 12 games and 25.6 percent on 3-pointers — decreases of more than 20 percent from his first 14 games when Pullen was one of the hottest-shooting guards in America and his beard was the envy of all hair-challenged men in the tri-state area.
Is this just a slump? Yes. Pullen will find his way again. When? Nobody knows that. Tonight's game at Baylor is big and would be perfect timing to reacquaint himself with the bottom of the net with Kansas coming to town this Saturday.
So, for the sake of Pullen and your Wildcat Nation, I urge all of you, who jumped on the bandwagon and started ignoring your razor to support Pullen's fuzzy face, to stop what you're doing right now and shave.
Fear nothing, especially the beard, as you go forward with your smooth faces and newfound freedom from the follicle frenzy.
The beard was fun while it lasted, for everyone who participated in the movement that covered a thousand faces. But as Pullen's game changes, so shall his lucky face carpet.
Jacob is not defined by his beard. He is more than a beard. He's proven that already. The beard was just an added edge for a while. Now though, it's more of a hindrance.
There will be more beards, for you and Jacob. For the first-time growers, shaving now will only help your future fuzz. Who knows? Down the line, maybe even this season, Pullen can find his winning whiskers again and you again can follow suit.
In the meantime, perhaps K-State players and fans alike can learn to love another lucky something. Try a shoe, or sweaty sock after Clemente goes for 30 against Kansas. Dominique Sutton likes the headband. Maybe that can be something everyone can embrace down the line. But leave the beards at home.
If for no other reason, Pullen should break out the Norelco or Gillette for his mom, who never really liked his beard in the first place.
I'm reminded of a belief I was raised on, "If at first you don't succeed, do it like your mother told you."
