With Big 12 play looming just around the corner, Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang believes his team is finally starting to click. And after weathering an early-season skid, the Wildcats are showing signs that they might be turning the corner at just the right time.
At 7-4 on the season, Kansas State gets one more tune-up before diving into the conference gauntlet, hosting South Dakota (7-6) this Saturday in Manhattan. It’s one of just two nonconference games left on the calendar, and it’s a chance for Tang’s squad to solidify the momentum they’ve been building.
The Wildcats hit a rough patch earlier this season, dropping four straight games, including a 78-67 loss to Seton Hall on Dec. 6.
But since then, something’s shifted. Kansas State has responded with back-to-back wins, including a gritty 83-76 road victory over a tough Creighton team.
“The Sunday after Seton Hall, their approach changed,” Tang said. “That really set the tone.
We’ve amped it up a little bit. The staff has figured some things out too.
We’re on this journey together, and I wouldn’t want to do it with anybody else.”
That change in approach is showing up on the scoreboard. The Wildcats are averaging 86.4 points per game and have cracked the 90-point mark five times already this season. Offensively, they’re humming - shooting 48.4% from the field and a sharp 40.5% from beyond the arc.
Against Creighton, it was freshman guard David Castillo leading the charge with 19 points, while Abdi Bashir Jr. added 18 of his own. Castillo’s poise and scoring touch have been key, but Bashir’s shooting has been a game-changer. Heading into Friday’s action, Bashir ranks tied for sixth nationally with 3.73 made threes per game - a testament to his range and confidence.
Then there’s PJ Haggerty, who’s been one of the most consistent scorers in the country this season. Even though he was held to a season-low 10 points against Creighton, he’s still second in the nation in scoring at 22.7 points per game. Haggerty adds 4.7 rebounds and is shooting just under 50% from the field and nearly 40% from deep - elite efficiency for a high-usage guard.
On the other side, South Dakota is looking to keep its own momentum going after snapping a three-game losing streak. The Coyotes have won two straight, including an 80-71 win over Dakota State on Wednesday. Sophomore guard Isaac Bruns poured in 23 points in that one and continues to be the engine for this team.
Bruns is averaging 20.7 points per game on the season and has been even better over the past 10 games, putting up 21.6 a night. He’s the kind of scorer who can heat up quickly and change the complexion of a game.
In the paint, South Dakota leans on 7-footer Cameron Fens, who’s averaging 10.9 points, 6.7 boards, and 1.5 blocks per game. His size gives the Coyotes a presence around the rim, both offensively and defensively.
For South Dakota head coach Eric Peterson, the focus remains on growth - especially with a young roster still learning the ropes.
“The biggest thing is just to continue to play our young guys and give them the game experience that’s really valuable,” Peterson said. “I talked about the process - continuing to just worry about the process and not the outcome. And the outcome will honestly figure itself out.”
Saturday’s matchup is more than just a nonconference clash - it’s a measuring stick. For Kansas State, it’s a chance to show that the adjustments they’ve made are real and sustainable. For South Dakota, it’s an opportunity to test their young core against a Power Five opponent and see how far they’ve come.
With conference play on the horizon, both teams are looking to fine-tune their identities. For the Wildcats, this is about sharpening the edges of a team that believes it’s ready to compete in one of the toughest leagues in the country.