Editor`s note: This is the fourth of the Big 12 capsule previews, which will run in order of predicted finish)

Kansas State Wildcats

AP presason ranking: Unranked but receiving votes

Head coach: Frank Martin (43-24 at K-State, 43-24 overall)

Last season: 22-12 overall, 9-7 Big 12 (t-4th)

Returning stars: Denis Clemente, 6-1, Sr., G (15.0 ppg); Jacob Pullen, 6-0, Jr. G (13.9 ppg).

Keep an eye on: Curtis Kelly, a 6-8 forward who sat out last season after transferring from UConn, and 6-9 freshman forward Wally Judge, ranked as the No. 18 recruit nationally by Rivals.com.

Stats that matter: K-State has finished fourth or higher in the Big 12 in each of the last three seasons. ... Clemente tied the Big 12 single-game scoring record with 44 points in a win at Texas last season. ... The Wildcats return 85.4 percent of their scoring from last season.

Quotable: "It`s not fun when it`s late January and you get your brains beat in, but it`s tremendous basketball," Martin on competing in the Big 12. "If you`ve got any hope of being any good, you`ve got to be excited about being in such a great conference as this."

Outlook: The Wildcats don`t have a dominant player like Michael Beasley, but they are a more well-rounded and experienced bunch that should qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

CU sees 'em: Jan. 16 in Boulder (2 p.m., Big 12 Network) and Feb. 13 in Manhattan (4 p.m., Big 12 Network)

Tomorrow`s preview: Texas A&M Aggies

-- Ryan Thorburn