The first night of the Casey Alexander era at Kansas State did not offer much comfort.
In a season opener the Wildcats were expected to handle, South Dakota State walked into Bramlidge Colisuem and left with a 68-66 upset Tuesday. The Jackrabbits buried 10 3-pointers, shot 44 percent from the field and got 24 points from David Kern, who paced four South Dakota State players in double figures.
Kansas State’s offense found some resistance, but Pape N'Diaye kept them in it with 18 points off the bench. It still wasn’t enough to avoid a loss that immediately put a harsh spotlight on just how difficult this rebuild may be.
That’s the reality Alexander inherited after replacing Jerome Tang, who was fired at the end of last season. He came over from Belmont with little time to settle in, and he’s already talked about the rough start to his transition, including living in a hotel for months before getting acclimated. His family didn’t arrive in Manhattan until shortly before the school year began.
The roster situation made the challenge even steeper. Only one player from last season’s team, Andrej Kostic, returned, leaving Alexander with a group that looks like it will need plenty of time to come together. In the Big 12, that kind of reset can get ugly fast.
Kansas State does have some chances to clean things up before the schedule tightens. The Wildcats host Cal State-Northridge on Friday, then face Creighton on Tuesday.
After that comes Montana, Campbell and then a major measuring stick against No. 15 Gonzaga.
There is at least a track record to point to with Alexander. He turned Belmont into one of the top mid-majors in the country. The bigger question now is whether that same formula can work at a Power Five school.
For now, the opener made one thing clear: this could be a long season for Kansas State.
In Other News...
Collin Klein Is Pushing Kansas State Into New Recruiting Territory
Kansas State is already looking well beyond the usual recruiting horizon, and that says plenty about how Collin Klein is approaching the job. The Wildcats have extended scholarship offers to several high school players in the 2028 class and beyond, including defensive end Khalil Shivers out of South Gwinnett High School in Georgia, as the program keeps widening its footprint across different regions and positions.
For a staff trying to keep pace in a national recruiting race, those early offers are part of the groundwork. Kansas State is showing up on lists that stretch far from Manhattan and into multiple states, signaling a willingness to get in early with younger prospects and compete for talent before the market gets crowded. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Faces A Quarterback Crisis At The Worst Time
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For first-year coach Collin Klein, the challenge has been about more than just finding the next healthy arm. He has pointed to the need for each quarterback to be genuine in his approach, a reminder that the Wildcats are not just searching for production but for some stability in a situation that has tested the depth chart at the worst possible time. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Found An Unexpected Bright Spot In A Frustrating Stretch
In a frustrating stretch for Kansas State, one of the few steady sources of optimism has come from an unexpected place. Collin Klein has made a point of praising punter Simon McClannan, whose leg has repeatedly helped the Wildcats change field position and keep games from tilting even further the wrong way.
McClannans rise has been hard to miss. He is averaging 48.4 yards per punt, which ranks second in the Big 12, and he has twice been recognized by the Ray Guy Award as one of the top eight punters nationally. With support from former players and coaches along the way, he has turned into a legitimate all-conference contender, giving Kansas State a hidden edge while the rest of the season has been more difficult to sort through. [Read more 🡒]