Big 12 Breakdown: Tang's Troubles, Mid-Tier Maybes, and a Conference of Contrasts
The Big 12 is as top-heavy as it’s ever been, with a group of elite teams pushing for national glory. But down in Manhattan, Kansas State is dealing with a very different story - one that starts with head coach Jerome Tang and a program that’s veered far off course since its high-flying debut under his leadership.
From Elite Eight to a Losing Record: Tang’s Slippery Slope
It wasn’t that long ago that Jerome Tang was one of the hottest names in college basketball. In his first season at Kansas State, he led the Wildcats to an Elite Eight run that had fans thinking the program had found its guy - a steady hand with fresh energy and a winning mindset.
But fast forward to 2026, and the shine has worn off. Tang’s Wildcats are currently under .500 and struggling mightily in conference play with a 1-7 Big 12 record. That comes on the heels of back-to-back seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance - including a first-round exit in the NIT and a 16-17 overall finish last year.
The frustration is clearly boiling over. After a recent loss to West Virginia, Tang didn’t hold back - but not in the way you might expect from a coach looking to rally his team. Instead of focusing inward, he pointed the finger at the NCAA and the ever-shifting landscape of college basketball.
“They keep changing the rules on me,” Tang said. “There are three guys that should be on my roster right now that are not on my roster because the rules change.
If we can bring G-League players, I want to do it. If they’re going to allow it, let’s all do it.
Or stop everybody from doing it. Just give me some consistent rules, and we’ll get it done.”
The frustration with the NCAA’s evolving transfer and eligibility rules isn’t unique to Tang - coaches across the country are navigating the same maze. But when your team is losing, those comments hit differently. They don’t sound like justified complaints - they sound like deflection.
And here’s the thing: this is Tang’s roster. These are his players.
The chemistry issues he’s referenced? That’s on him too.
As the head coach, it’s his job to build a cohesive unit, to adapt to the rules, and to find a way to win anyway. That’s what the best in the business do.
And right now, the results just aren’t there.
With Iowa State coming to town on Sunday, the pressure is only mounting. The Cyclones are rolling, and Kansas State needs a spark - something, anything - to stop the slide.
Tang’s seat isn’t just warm anymore. It’s heating up fast.
The Mid-Tier Mix: Who Will Step Up?
While the top of the Big 12 is stacked - Arizona, Iowa State, Houston, Texas Tech, BYU, and Kansas are all looking like legitimate Final Four contenders - the middle of the conference is murkier. And if the Big 12 wants to flex its depth come March, it’s going to need some help from the next tier.
Right now, that group includes UCF, TCU, and West Virginia. Of the three, UCF is in the best position. The Knights have shown enough to crack into bracket projections, and their resume is holding up - for now.
TCU, on the other hand, is sliding. They were in the “first four out” conversation, but a recent loss to Houston didn’t help their case.
The good news? The Horned Frogs have a manageable schedule the rest of the way, giving them a chance to make a late push if they can string together some wins.
Then there’s West Virginia. The Mountaineers aren’t on many radar screens yet, but don’t count them out.
Their next two games - home against Baylor and a road trip to Cincinnati - are both winnable. If they can grab those and improve to 7-3 in conference play, they’ll be tough to ignore.
Realistically, the Big 12 needs at least two of these three to make the NCAA Tournament to maintain its reputation as the toughest conference in the country. The top six are elite, no doubt. But without some mid-tier reinforcements, the depth narrative starts to wobble.
What’s Next?
For Kansas State, Sunday’s matchup with Iowa State isn’t just another game - it’s a gut check. For Jerome Tang, it’s a chance to stop the bleeding and show he still has control of the locker room. For the rest of the conference, it’s about separating contenders from pretenders.
The Big 12 has the star power. Now it needs the supporting cast to step up.