Kansas State Faces Tall Task at No. 3 Houston Amid Tumultuous Stretch
Kansas State basketball is heading into Saturday’s matchup with its back firmly against the wall. The Wildcats are in the midst of a brutal five-game skid and now face one of the toughest tests in college basketball: a road showdown with No.
3 Houston at the Fertitta Center. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.
CT, with the game streaming live on Peacock.
Let’s be clear - this is a Houston team that doesn’t just win, it overwhelms. At 22-2 overall and 10-1 in Big 12 play, the Cougars are rolling.
Winners of five straight, four by double digits, they’ve looked every bit like a team with national title aspirations. Their roster is young, deep, and dangerous - a blend of athleticism and discipline that’s been suffocating opponents all season long.
Kansas State, on the other hand, is in search of answers. Sitting at 10-14 overall and just 1-10 in conference play, the Wildcats are trying to regroup after a 91-62 blowout loss at home to Cincinnati - a game that made headlines not just for the score, but for what came after.
Head coach Jerome Tang didn’t hold back in his postgame comments, calling out his team’s effort in a fiery press conference. It marked the fourth time in five games that Tang’s remarks made waves, a sign of just how tense things have gotten in Manhattan.
In response, Tang has taken a hard-nosed approach. This week, the Wildcats held two 6 a.m. practices, including a Thursday session that featured a grueling conditioning drill: running the stairs of Bramlage Coliseum - 70 times, according to Tang. Whether that sparks a turnaround or simply adds to the fatigue remains to be seen, but it’s clear the coaching staff is searching for a way to jolt the team out of its current funk.
Saturday’s game is a chance for Kansas State to show some fight - not just on the scoreboard, but in how they compete against one of the most complete teams in the country. Houston plays with a relentless edge, especially on the defensive end, and they’ll test every inch of Kansas State’s resolve.
Game Info:
- Matchup: Kansas State at No.
3 Houston
- Date: Saturday, Feb.
14
- Time: 3 p.m.
CT
- Location: Fertitta Center, Houston
- Watch: NBC Sports NOW / Streaming on Peacock
What’s Next for Kansas State:
- Feb. 17: vs.
Baylor, 8 p.m.
- Feb. 21: at Texas Tech, 1:30 p.m.
- Feb. 25: at Colorado, 8 p.m.
What’s Next for Houston:
- Feb. 16: at Iowa State, 8 p.m.
- Feb. 21: vs. Arizona, 2 p.m.
- Feb. 23: at Kansas, 8 p.m.
For Kansas State, this isn’t just another game - it’s a gut check. A chance to respond to adversity, to show some grit, and maybe, just maybe, to shake up the Big 12 with a statement win. But make no mistake: Houston isn’t in the mood for surprises.