Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang didn’t mince words after his team’s latest setback-a lopsided Sunflower Showdown loss to in-state rival Kansas. The Wildcats were outplayed on their home floor, a place where they hadn’t fallen to the Jayhawks since 2022. And while Tang is typically composed and upbeat, this one clearly stung.
“No, there are no excuses,” Tang said postgame. “They just played harder than we did at the end.”
That line-"played harder"-says a lot. It wasn’t just about missed shots or schematic breakdowns.
It was about effort, grit, and the kind of toughness Kansas State simply didn’t bring down the stretch. Tang used the word “competitive” repeatedly, and not in a complimentary way.
For a program that prides itself on intensity and fight, that message hit hard.
The Wildcats held their own for much of the game, staying within striking distance despite another sluggish start from PJ Haggerty. But when crunch time came, Kansas hit the gas-and Kansas State had no answer.
With just over seven minutes left, the Jayhawks flipped the script. From that point forward, they dominated every phase: paint touches, defensive stops, rebounding, you name it.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, couldn’t find a spark. Tang pointed to a lack of resistance on defense, especially against Kansas’ relentless interior attack.
“They were living in the paint,” Tang said. “At some point in time, they gotta hit your chest, and you have to say 'no.' We were just letting them get there, whether it was a post or a guard driving.”
That’s the kind of quote that tells you everything you need to know. Kansas State didn’t just lose-they got out-toughed. And for Tang, that’s the real issue.
Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller had their way inside, exploiting a Kansas State frontcourt that’s struggled to hold its ground all season. The Wildcats didn’t have a counter, and it showed. With David Castillo and Nate Johnson both struggling-just 13 combined points on 26.3% shooting-the offensive burden was too heavy for a team already fighting uphill.
It’s not just about one bad night, either. This was Kansas State’s sixth loss in Big 12 play, and the frustration is starting to bubble to the surface. Tang isn’t panicking, but he’s clearly searching for answers-and accountability.
“These dudes are 18 to 23 years old, and they all want to play,” Tang said. “So we’ve got to be more competitive in those moments. And we weren’t.”
Kansas State now turns the page quickly, heading to Morgantown for a Tuesday night matchup with West Virginia. But make no mistake: unless the Wildcats find their edge-and fast-this conference stretch could get even tougher.
The talent is there. The effort? That’s what Tang is still waiting to see for 40 full minutes.