Things are unraveling fast in Manhattan, and for Kansas State, the issues go deeper than just a few bad games. The Wildcats are in a tailspin, and the latest blow came in the form of a 30-point drubbing at home against No.
8 Iowa State. But maybe even more telling than the scoreboard was what happened off the court: K-State legend Jacob Pullen-yes, the program’s all-time leading scorer-had seen enough.
His reaction? A blunt, one-line post on social media: *“It’s hard to watch honestly.”
That kind of statement doesn’t come lightly, especially from a player who helped build the foundation of Kansas State’s modern basketball identity. When a figure like Pullen voices that kind of frustration publicly, it’s not just a passing comment-it’s a siren.
And the numbers don’t do much to soften the blow. Kansas State now sits at 10-11 overall, with a rough 1-7 record in Big 12 play. That’s not just a slump-that’s a freefall.
It’s worth noting that injuries have hit this team hard. Star guard Abdi Bashir is sidelined with a foot injury.
Forwards Mobi Ikegwuruka and Elias Rapieque are unavailable. Starting center Khamari McGriff?
Also out. That’s a lot of size, scoring, and depth missing from the rotation.
But even before the injury bug bit, this team looked shaky.
What makes this downturn even more frustrating for fans is the expectation that came with this roster. Just a year ago, Kansas State was mentioned among the top five in the country in terms of NIL spending, according to Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68.
That kind of financial investment usually comes with the hope-and pressure-of results. But instead of a breakthrough, the Wildcats are stuck in reverse.
And now, the reality sets in: turning the page won’t be easy. Jerome Tang is in his fourth season, and while he’s had moments of success, the lows are starting to outweigh the highs. If the program were to move on, it would come with a hefty price tag-$18.7 million, to be exact.
The loss to Iowa State wasn’t just another tally in the loss column-it was a statement game, and not in the way Kansas State wanted. The Cyclones dominated from the opening tip, and by the time the second half rolled around, the Wildcats looked like a team searching for answers more than solutions.
Right now, this isn’t just about a tough stretch-it’s about a program that’s lost its identity. Injuries hurt, yes.
But the lack of cohesion, energy, and fight? That’s what’s most concerning.
And when a former star like Pullen speaks out, it’s clear that frustration isn’t limited to the fan base-it’s felt by those who helped build the program, too.
There’s still time left in the season, but the road ahead is steep. If Kansas State wants to right the ship, it’s going to take more than just getting healthy. It’s going to take a hard look in the mirror-and some answers that go beyond the box score.