Kansas State may have picked up a much-needed win over Utah, but let’s be clear - the road through Big 12 play has been anything but smooth. Even with Tuesday night’s victory, the Wildcats are still digging themselves out of an early-conference hole. But if there’s one thing this program has shown before, it’s that they know how to rally when the odds are stacked against them.
You don’t have to rewind far to find the blueprint. Just last year, Kansas State looked like it was spiraling.
A six-game skid - capped by a tough loss to Baylor - had fans wondering if the preseason hype was all smoke. But then came February, and with it, a surge that turned heads across the country.
The Wildcats ripped off six straight wins, knocking off top-tier opponents and playing with the kind of fire that makes Selection Sunday committees take notice.
That stretch wasn’t just about wins - it was about identity. Coleman Hawkins, Dug McDaniel, and Brendan Hausen finally clicked, playing like the stars they were projected to be.
The Wildcats took down ranked squads like Arizona and Iowa State, and for a while, they were one of the hottest teams in the country. Sure, they stumbled late, and a second-round exit in the Big 12 Tournament kept them out of the NCAA field.
But their fight? Undeniable.
Fast forward to now, and the question is: can Kansas State catch lightning in a bottle again?
The win over Utah could be the spark. It wasn’t just a W - it was a glimpse of what this team can be when things start to click.
That’s especially encouraging considering they’re doing it without Abdi Bashir Jr., their top perimeter threat, who’s now sidelined with an injury. That kind of loss can derail a team’s rhythm, but instead, Kansas State responded by spreading the wealth and letting new faces step up.
Nate Johnson and David Castillo seized the moment, giving the Wildcats a much-needed boost on the perimeter. The team shot a blistering 52% from three - a stat that jumps off the page, especially without their go-to sharpshooter.
And then there was PJ Haggerty, who poured in 34 points and reminded everyone exactly why he’s the engine of this team. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s carrying the load and setting the tone.
After the game, head coach Jerome Tang didn’t hold back in praising his group.
“I’m super proud of them,” Tang said. “I would've been proud of them if we were 5-0, but this happened.
Just to see what these dudes are like - we’ve got high-character guys. They show up every day, they bring energy, and we're learning how to just move on to the next thing.
Even with this win tonight, we've gotta watch it and keep getting better. Super proud of the effort, the grit, the toughness.”
That grit Tang talks about? It’s going to be tested.
The Big 12 is no joke, and the margin for error is razor-thin. But if Kansas State’s going to turn this season around, it’ll be with the same formula that worked last time: tough defense, timely shooting, and a belief that the best version of themselves is still out there.
It’s not going to be easy - not with the injuries, not with the uphill battle in the standings. But if Tuesday night was any indication, don’t count the Wildcats out just yet.