Kansas State’s Season Hits Rock Bottom After Blowout Loss to Cincinnati
Kansas State’s season has gone from frustrating to flat-out alarming - and now, the rest of the country is starting to take notice.
What was once a team with March Madness aspirations is now in free fall. The Wildcats were thoroughly outplayed on their home court in a lopsided loss to Cincinnati - a game that wasn’t just another defeat, but a clear indicator of how far things have unraveled in Manhattan.
This wasn’t a tight contest that slipped away late. It was a 40-minute showcase - but not in Kansas State’s favor.
Cincinnati dominated from start to finish, turning Bramlage Coliseum into their personal highlight reel. The Bearcats shot a blistering 50 percent from the field and an eye-popping 57 percent from deep.
Baba Miller and Jizzle James led the charge, combining for 40 points while hitting 80 percent of their threes. That’s not just hot shooting - that’s a team in rhythm, confident, and completely unbothered by the defense in front of them.
And that’s the real issue here: resistance. Or more accurately, the lack of it.
This wasn’t just a loss. It was the kind of performance that raises red flags about effort, cohesion, and direction.
The Wildcats didn’t just get beat - they didn’t put up a fight. And for a program that was expected to take a step forward this season, that’s a brutal reality.
Let’s rewind for a moment. When Kansas State added PJ Haggerty through the transfer portal, the move was seen as a key piece in a potential return to the NCAA Tournament.
Early signs were promising. The Wildcats had perimeter talent, depth, and enough experience to make noise in a loaded Big 12.
But that promise has faded - fast.
This latest loss was nearly the worst of Jerome Tang’s tenure - and that’s saying something, considering the team suffered a similarly lopsided defeat to Iowa State just two games prior. That’s two blowouts in the last three games, both at home, in a building once known for its intensity and energy.
The “Octagon of Doom” has lost its bite.
And the numbers tell the story. Kansas State has now dropped 10 of its last 11 games.
The Wildcats are staring down the reality of missing the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season and finishing outside the top five in the Big 12 once again. That’s not just a rough patch - that’s a full-blown crisis for a program that invested heavily in the transfer portal and expected immediate results.
As CBS analyst Gary Parrish put it, “I’ve been to Bramlage Coliseum when it’s good. When it’s good, it’s great.”
But right now, it’s anything but. Fans are showing up with paper bags over their heads - a visual that says more than any box score ever could.
And the schedule isn’t offering any favors. Next up?
A road trip to Houston - one of the toughest environments in the country, against one of the most physical and well-coached teams in the nation. If Kansas State couldn’t hold the line at home against a mid-tier Cincinnati squad, it’s hard to see how they’ll steady themselves on the road against Houston.
The Big 12 is unforgiving, and Kansas State is finding that out the hard way. There’s still time left in the season, but the margin for error is gone. If the Wildcats want to salvage anything from this year, it starts with showing some fight - because right now, the only thing opponents are fearing is how easy it is to walk into Manhattan and walk out with a win.