• Video: Nebraska coach Doc Sadler speaks at the postgame press conference after the Huskers' 76-57 loss to Kansas State on Tuesday:



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LINCOLN — If that was Kansas State's idea of having a hangover, give us all two of whatever the KSU players are having.

With a 76-57 pounding of Nebraska, the No. 10 Wildcats squashed any ideas that they might be too down to compete after Saturday's overtime loss to No. 1 Kansas.

“You need to trust your team,'' KSU coach Frank Martin said. “Our guys came in the last two days and were tremendous. They were focused and excited about playing another game.''

Even during the lone stretch in which Nebraska threatened — closing to 42-35 early in the second half — Kansas State responded quickly and efficiently.

“I know it was frustrating those first two minutes of the second half,'' Martin said. “But we came into the huddle, and they policed themselves. They went out and responded great.''

Martin had never won in three previous trips to Lincoln, largely because of early game deficits to Doc Sadler's teams.

“We spoke about that the past few days,'' Martin said. “If you get down against Doc's team, it's hard to come back. We said we don't want to get in that hole.''

Kansas State trailed only at 2-1 and took its first 10-point lead with 10:59 to go in the first half.

Puerto Rican pride

The leading scorer on each team — K-State's Denis Clemente (23) and Nebraska's Jorge Brian Diaz (13) — are from Puerto Rico. So is KSU center Luis Colon.

Diaz said he didn't meet the two Kansas State players until last season's trip to Manhattan. Since then, they have exchanged a few phone calls and texts.

What did Diaz think of Clemente? “He's quick and aggressive. He's a great player.''

Unproductive play

Two Nebraskans in their first season of Big 12 play — forwards Quincy Hankins-Cole and Brandon Ubel — had rough outings.

Hankins-Cole, a junior, had a first half to forget: Six minutes played, four fouls, two rebounds, two turnovers and zero points on 0-for-1 shooting. He finished with four points and four rebounds.

Ubel, a true freshman, played 19 minutes. He had two points, one rebound, five turnovers and no assists.

— Lee Barfknecht