K-State Opens Homestand with First-Ever Matchup Against Turnover-Hungry Bowling Green
Kansas State returns to Bramlage Coliseum on Monday night looking to build momentum during a three-game homestand - and they’ll be doing it against a team they’ve never faced before. The Wildcats (5-2) are set to tip off against Bowling Green (5-2) at 7:01 p.m. CT, in a matchup that brings together two programs with identical records but very different defensive identities.
Under head coach Jerome Tang, the Wildcats have made Bramlage a tough place to play. They’ve gone 43-9 at home since Tang took over, including a 22-2 mark in non-conference games.
That includes six straight non-league wins dating back to 2024. Monday’s clash will be the first time K-State has faced a Mid-American Conference opponent in nearly 20 years - the last coming in a 75-70 overtime loss at Northern Illinois back in 2005.
The last time a MAC team came to Manhattan? That was in 2004, when the Wildcats handled Northern Illinois, 81-66.
This time, it’s Bowling Green making the trip - and they’re bringing a defensive edge that’s hard to ignore. Led by third-year head coach Todd Simon, the Falcons have been flying under the radar but are quietly one of the best teams in the country at forcing turnovers. They lead the nation in both turnovers forced per game (20.4) and steals per game (13.4), numbers that speak to the aggressive, high-pressure style Simon has instilled.
The Falcons are coming off back-to-back wins over Bucknell and VMI at the Fort Myers Tip-Off and feature a balanced scoring attack with five players averaging double figures. Senior guard Javontae Campbell leads the way at 17.4 points per game, but it’s his defense that’s turning heads - he currently leads the nation in steals, averaging an eye-popping 4.0 per game. He’s the engine of a defense that thrives on chaos, and K-State’s ball-handlers will need to be sharp to avoid getting caught in the Falcons’ trap.
There’s a bit of familiarity between the programs, even if they’ve never met on the court. Wildcats guard Marcus Johnson spent last season with Bowling Green, where he led the team in scoring at 16.2 points per game. His former teammate, Nate Johnson, also knows the Falcons well - during his time at Akron, he went 4-0 against Bowling Green, including two wins last season, one of which came in the MAC Tournament.
K-State will look to leverage that insider knowledge as they aim to extend their home dominance. The Wildcats’ starting five - P.J. Haggerty, Nate Johnson, Abdi Bashir Jr., Elias Rapieque, and Khamari McGriff - will be tasked with breaking through Bowling Green’s pressure and setting the tone early.
On the other side, the Falcons will counter with a lineup anchored by Campbell in the backcourt, alongside Javon Ruffin and Justin Thomas, with Sam Towns and Troy Glover II up front. It’s a group that’s shown it can score, defend, and disrupt - and they won’t be intimidated by the Bramlage crowd.
This one has the makings of a high-energy, fast-paced game. The Wildcats are favored by 13.5 points, and the over/under is set at 160.5 - a nod to the offensive firepower on both sides.
But make no mistake: this game could come down to which team handles the pressure better. If K-State can take care of the ball and control the tempo, they’ll be in a strong position to continue their home-court dominance.
If not, Bowling Green has the tools to make it a long night.
Game Info:
- When: Monday, December 1, 2025 | 7:01 p.m.
CT
- Where: Bramlage Coliseum (11,010) | Manhattan, Kansas
- TV: ESPN+
- Radio: K-State Sports Network (KMAN 1350, WIBW 580) | Satellite: Ch.
384 | Online: Varsity Network, kstatesports.com/watch
Coaches:
- K-State: Jerome Tang (4th season, 66-44 record at K-State)
- Bowling Green: Todd Simon (3rd season at BGSU, 39-34 record)
Projected Starters:
K-State (5-2)
- G: #4 P.J.
Haggerty
- G: #34 Nate Johnson
- G: #1 Abdi Bashir Jr.
- W: #0 Elias Rapieque
- W: #21 Khamari McGriff
Bowling Green (5-2)
- G: #2 Javontae Campbell
- G: #11 Javon Ruffin
- G: #25 Justin Thomas
- F: #14 Sam Towns
- F: #16 Troy Glover II
Tickets:
Single-game tickets start at $17. Season, mini-plan, and group packages are also available through K-State’s ticket office or online at kstatesports.com/tickets.
This is more than just a non-conference matchup - it’s a test of poise, preparation, and ball security. And for K-State, it’s a chance to keep building momentum in front of a home crowd that’s seen its fair share of big wins under Coach Tang.