MANHATTAN, Kan. Kansas State basketball fans are all asking the same question as the Wildcats begin preparations for their first game of the NCAA Tournament against UC Irvine on Friday.
Will Dean Wade be healthy enough to play?
For now, K-State coach Bruce Weber doesnt have the answer.
He says he feels better, Weber said. Hes not in as much pain as he was. I told you he has done treatment. He did it today twice. We will see what the doctor says and see if we can make some progress as the week goes on.
Wade, a senior forward, skipped the Big 12 tournament last week after injuring his right foot in the regular-season finale against Oklahoma. K-State listed Wade as questionable for the event at the beginning of the week, and Weber downgraded Wade to doubtful when the team arrived in Kansas City.
He was in attendance for both of K-States games at Sprint Center, but Wade was nothing more than a spectator while wearing a walking boot on the bench.
Wade didnt practice at all last week and spent the majority of his time with trainers receiving treatment on his injured right foot.
Its unclear what type of injury Wade is dealing with (Weber has been intentionally vague about it), but the Wildcats are holding out hope that he will be ready to take the court on Friday.
You want him to be a part of it, Weber said. You just kind of hope and pray for him. Its been a tough stretch.
The Wildcats might soon have a better idea on Wades status. Weber said Wade was scheduled to meet with doctors and have his right foot thoroughly examined on Monday. The results of that check up could provide answers.
Weber spoke to media for about 10 minutes Monday morning, but said Wade had not yet met with doctors at that time.
Hopefully hes making some progress, Weber said. Then we will see where he is at.
This is a familiar position for Wade. He only saw eight minutes of action during K-States run to the Elite Eight last season after suffering a stress reaction in his left foot at the 2018 Big 12 tournament.
Wade dressed for all four of K-States games in the NCAA Tournament, but he only played against Kentucky in the Sweet 16.
He has also had lingering foot issues this season. Wade missed six games with a torn ligament in his foot before returning to the lineup and helping the Wildcats share a Big 12 championship with Texas Tech.
