Kansas State Searching for a Spark After Kansas Loss, Council's Celebration Adds Fuel to the Fire
Kansas State’s season is spiraling, and at 1-6 in conference play, the Wildcats are clinging to any sliver of motivation they can find. One moment that might just light a fire under this struggling group? A dance at midcourt.
After Kansas handed them a blowout loss in Bramlage Coliseum, Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. took center stage-literally-celebrating with a dance at midcourt. For a Kansas State team already reeling, the moment stung.
“You never wanna see anybody celebrate on your court,” head coach Jerome Tang said postgame. “It sucks to see them do it.
Like, it really, really sucks. I haven’t experienced that before, and it is not a good feeling at all.”
Tang made it clear that his team shouldn't need extra motivation for a rivalry game. But right now, they may need anything they can get.
Whether it’s injuries, chemistry issues, or just flat-out underperformance, the Wildcats have struggled to find their identity in Big 12 play. The loss to Kansas wasn’t just about being outplayed-it was about being outcompeted.
“At some point in time, they gotta hit your chest, and you have to say ‘no,’” Tang said. “We were just letting them get there, whether it was a post or a guard driving. At some point, you gotta look the other dude in the eyes and say, ‘No, you’re not going there.’”
That lack of fight is what’s most concerning. This isn’t just about dropping games-it’s about dropping the intensity, the edge, the fire that defines successful teams in this conference. And for a program that entered the season with tournament aspirations, that’s a red flag.
Last year’s 16-17 finish was a rollercoaster, but this season is trending in the wrong direction even faster. The Wildcats are currently sitting at the bottom of the Big 12, and the road doesn’t get any easier.
Next up: a trip to Morgantown to face West Virginia on Jan. 27.
Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at WVU Coliseum, with the game airing on FOX Sports.
Kansas State enters as 8.5-point underdogs, with the over/under set at 146.5. The moneyline has WVU favored at -450, while K-State sits at +340.
Projected Starters for Kansas State:
- G P.J. Haggerty - 23.4 PTS, 5.2 REB, 4.5 AST
- G David Castillo - 11.6 PTS, 2.5 REB, 2.3 AST
- G Nate Johnson - 11.3 PTS, 4.8 REB, 4.1 AST
- G Taj Manning - 3.6 PTS, 4.1 REB, 0.7 STL
- C Dorin Buca - 3.5 PTS, 3.8 REB, 1.4 BLK
Haggerty continues to be the offensive engine, putting up over 23 points per game, but the supporting cast has struggled to find consistent rhythm. Castillo and Johnson offer flashes, but the team’s overall cohesion has been lacking.
Key Team Stats:
- Scoring Offense: 84.1 PPG (8th in Big 12)
- Scoring Defense: 80.5 PPG allowed (14th in Big 12)
- 3-Point Shooting: 37.3% (4th in Big 12)
- Opponent 3-Point Shooting: 32.1% (6th in Big 12)
- Rebounding: 36.3 RPG (11th in Big 12)
- Opponent Rebounding: 36.0 RPG allowed (15th in Big 12)
The numbers tell a clear story: this is a team that can score, especially from deep, but gives up too much on the other end. Defensive lapses and rebounding struggles have been consistent issues, and in a conference as physical and deep as the Big 12, those weaknesses get exposed quickly.
So now, as they prepare for West Virginia, the Wildcats are at a crossroads. The season isn’t over, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
Maybe Melvin Council Jr.’s midcourt dance was the gut punch this team needed. Maybe it’s the wake-up call that turns frustration into fire.
If not, Kansas State risks letting this season slip away-and that would sting far more than a postgame celebration on their home court.