Kansas State Hits New Low in Blowout Loss to No. 8 Iowa State
It’s been a tough season for Kansas State men’s basketball, and Sunday afternoon at Bramlage Coliseum might have been the lowest point yet. Facing off against No.
8 Iowa State, the Wildcats didn’t just lose - they got steamrolled. The 95-61 final wasn’t just a bad loss; it was the worst of the Jerome Tang era and the third-worst home loss in the history of the building.
From the opening tip, this one was never close. K-State fell behind early and never recovered, trailing by 29 at halftime and showing little resistance against a Cyclones team that looked every bit like a Big 12 title contender. Iowa State shot 55% from the field and moved the ball with ease, getting 19 points from Joshua Jefferson and 18 more from Milan Momcilovic in a performance that felt more like an exhibition than a conference showdown.
For Kansas State, the only real bright spot was PJ Haggerty, who led the team with 23 points. Beyond that, there wasn’t much to celebrate.
The Wildcats have now lost back-to-back home games by a combined 59 points - and both came against their biggest rivals. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team trying to find its footing in a loaded Big 12.
A Night to Forget in Manhattan
Kansas State entered the game at the bottom of the Big 12 standings, and somehow, it felt like they sunk even lower after this one. The Wildcats tried to inject some energy into the matchup - breaking out throwback lavender uniforms, encouraging fans to do the same, and honoring program legends in the building.
The crowd showed up. The team didn’t.
There was no edge, no urgency, and no sign of the gritty, competitive spirit that’s defined Tang’s best moments as head coach. This wasn’t a case of losing to a better team in a hard-fought battle. This was a no-show on your home floor, and it’s the kind of loss that raises uncomfortable questions - not just about this season, but about the direction of the program.
Jerome Tang’s buyout sits at $18.7 million, and while that’s a hefty figure, performances like this one will only intensify the scrutiny around the coaching staff and what comes next.
Depth Issues Are Catching Up Fast
One of the biggest problems for Kansas State right now? The bench just isn’t giving them much.
Earlier in the season, the Wildcats had some depth to lean on when everyone was healthy. But with Abdi Bashir, Khamari McGriff, and Elias Rapieque all out, the rotation has thinned considerably - and the drop-off has been glaring.
On Sunday, Tang turned to CJ Jones, Andrej Kostic, and Marcus Johnson for key minutes. None of them were able to change the game.
Jones chipped in five points in 16 minutes, Kostic had eight points in 26 minutes, and Johnson went scoreless in seven. But beyond the box score, it was clear that none of them were ready to compete at a high level against a top-10 opponent.
Jones struggled to create offense. Kostic had lapses on the defensive end.
Johnson couldn’t keep up with the pace. And yet, with the roster depleted, Tang had little choice but to roll with them.
It's a tough spot for a team that’s already fighting uphill in one of the deepest conferences in college basketball.
The Big 12’s Best Are on Another Level
If there’s one thing this season has made clear, it’s that the top of the Big 12 is absolutely stacked. Kansas State has managed to stay competitive in games against unranked opponents, but when it comes to the league’s elite, the gap is wide - and growing.
Arizona, BYU, Kansas, and now Iowa State have all handed the Wildcats double-digit losses. And it doesn’t get any easier from here. Houston and Texas Tech are still on the schedule, and there’s another date with the Jayhawks looming.
As for Iowa State, they’ve now rattled off four straight wins in blowout fashion, and Sunday’s performance was another reminder of why they belong in the national championship conversation. The Cyclones are deep, disciplined, and dangerous - everything Kansas State is still trying to become.
What’s Next?
The road doesn’t get any smoother for Kansas State. Next up is a trip to TCU, and with the Wildcats sitting at 10-12 overall and 1-8 in conference play, the margin for error is gone. If there’s going to be a turnaround, it has to start now.
But after Sunday’s showing, the question isn’t just whether K-State can find a way to win - it’s whether they can rediscover their fight. Because in a league this unforgiving, effort and execution aren’t optional. They’re the price of admission.