NEW YORK (AP) It wasn't about visiting New York City during the holiday season that appealed to Bruce Weber.

Rather, the opportunity to play two games in an NBA arena and NCAA tournament venue appealed to Kansas State's coach because of what it could mean come March.

''You get a couple of those different venues so hopefully you're not star struck when - if - you get to the tournament, Weber said after Kansas State's 72-54 win over Boston College in the first game of the Barclays Center Classic on Friday night.

''Or when we get into the tournament.''

Freshman Xavier Sneed led the Wildcats with 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

''My role on the team is to bring energy off the bench,'' Sneed said. ''That's what I try to do.''

Dean Wade and Barry Brown added 11 points apiece as Kansas State improved to 5-0.

While Weber has a long-term view, Eagles coach Jim Christian said he is looking for something more fundamental.

''We have some guys on our team that, in my opinion, they need to play harder,'' Christian said as Boston College fell to 3-2.

Even though Ky Bowman led Boston College with 13 point, and Connor Tava and Jerome Robinson finished with 11 each, Christian was not especially impressed with his team's performance.

''We didn't play very well one through five,'' Christian said. ''I thought we got manhandled one through five.''

The third meeting between the ACC and Big 12 programs-and the first in regular season play-was not especially competitive.

Kansas State used an 11-2 run spanning 6:47 in the first half to take control. The run began with Isaiah Maurice's jumper at 7:27 which tied the game 7-7, and was culminated by Wade's dunk with 5:46 left in the half. By that point, the Wildcats had an 18-9 lead that they would not relinquish.

The Wildcats led 31-22 at halftime and limited the Eagles to 29.2 percent shooting from the field in the first and 33.3 percent for the game.

''We picked up the pressure,'' Weber said. ''We talked about once they got over half court, kind of inside that circle, stretch them out a little bit. We had to disrupt them.''

Boston College committed 14 turnovers in the first half and 21 for the game, with Sneed's steal and breakaway jam midway through the second half underscoring Kansas State's prowess in turning turnovers into points.

Sneed's jam put the Wildcats up 47-35, and from there the Eagles never seriously threatened Kansas State.

''You make runs with stops,'' Weber said. ''And then take advantage of it with transition.''

The Wildcats finished the game shooting 45.4 percent from the field.

BIG PICTURE

Boston College: After starting the season with four games against small programs, the Eagles took on a major conference squad in Kansas State and were found to be significantly lacking. Was it an isolated moment or is Jim Christian's team headed for its third-straight losing season?

Kansas State: The Wildcats' first game against a major conference opponent could not have been scripted better as Kansas State maintained its early first half lead for the remainder of the game.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Boston College: The loss ended the Eagles' three-game winning streak, and probably put to rest any hopes Boston College could break into the Top 25.

Kansas State: Despite a complete performance in beating Boston College, Kansas State is probably not going to move into the Top 25.

NOTABLE

Boston College: Nic Popovic was tended to by a trainer as he lay on the court after being inadvertently elbowed by Kansas State's D.J. Johnson early in the first half.

Kansas State: Friday night's game was Kansas State's second at the Barclays Center.

UP NEXT

Boston College: Will meet the loser of the of the Maryland/Richmond game Saturday.

Kansas State: Will meet the winner of the of the Maryland/Richmond game Saturday.

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