Kansas State finally got on the board in Big 12 play with a much-needed win over Utah, snapping a conference skid and giving fans something to cheer about. But the celebration came with a heavy cost. Junior guard Abdi Bashir Jr.-the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer and their most lethal threat from beyond the arc-will be sidelined for the next 4 to 6 weeks due to a foot injury.
That’s a tough blow for a Kansas State team trying to claw its way out of the Big 12 basement. Bashir isn’t just their top perimeter shooter-he’s one of the most prolific three-point threats in the country, ranking in the top five nationally in made threes. Losing him means losing a key piece of their offensive identity.
Still, head coach Jerome Tang is preaching resilience.
“Everybody’s gonna get an opportunity now, it’s the next guy up,” Tang said after the win. “We just need the next person to step up and then just keep battling. This league is unforgiving.”
And he’s right. The Big 12 doesn’t offer much room for error, especially when you’re down a top scorer. But if Saturday’s performance was any indication, Kansas State might just have the depth and grit to weather the storm.
Here’s what stood out from the Wildcats’ win over Utah:
1. David Castillo found his rhythm-and it changed everything.
David Castillo came into the season with high expectations, and early on, he looked every bit the breakout star. But once Big 12 play hit, his production dipped-until now.
Against Utah, the sophomore guard looked like the version of himself fans had been waiting to see. He poured in 20 points, knocking down six of his nine attempts from deep. That kind of shooting not only helped Kansas State hit 52 percent from three as a team, but it also gave them the offensive balance they’ve been missing.
When Castillo is locked in, the Wildcats are a different team. They’re now 6-1 when he scores at least 15 points, and it’s no coincidence. His ability to stretch the floor opens up driving lanes for guys like PJ Haggerty and Nate Johnson, and it takes pressure off the bench to produce big minutes.
With Bashir out, Castillo’s role just got even more important-and if this game was a sign of things to come, Kansas State might have their answer.
2. PJ Haggerty turned it on when it mattered most.
Early on, it looked like PJ Haggerty might be headed for another quiet night. But then he flipped the switch-and never looked back.
Haggerty exploded for 34 points, adding eight rebounds and two steals in a performance that reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dynamic scorers in the conference. He completely took over in crunch time, scoring the team’s final 11 points before Nate Johnson iced it at the line.
Sure, there were a few hiccups-he had a costly late turnover and struggled from three, hitting just 25 percent. But when a player drops 30-plus and carries the offense down the stretch, you take the good with the not-so-good.
This was one of Haggerty’s most complete games of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
3. The defense still has a long way to go.
Offensively, Kansas State looked sharp. Defensively? Not so much.
Yes, injuries in the frontcourt-missing guys like McGriff, Mobi Ikegwuruka, and Elias Rapieque-have clearly taken a toll. But even with those absences, allowing 80 points per game isn’t sustainable in a league as loaded as the Big 12.
Utah’s offense isn’t exactly elite, and yet they still managed to put up big numbers. That’s a red flag, especially with matchups against high-powered teams like Iowa State, Houston, and Kansas on the horizon.
Unless Kansas State can tighten things up defensively, they’ll be relying on shootouts to stay competitive-and that’s a dangerous game to play in this conference. The offense can’t be expected to drop 85-90 every night.
The bottom line: the Wildcats got the win, but the road ahead just got tougher. With Bashir sidelined, the margin for error shrinks. But if Castillo keeps shooting like this, and Haggerty keeps closing games, Kansas State has the firepower to stay in the fight.
Now it’s about finding that same intensity on the defensive end. Because in the Big 12, offense might win you a night-but defense wins you a season.