K-State guard Tylor Perry playing against former coach is new norm in college hoops

At this time last year, Tylor Perry was playing for Grant McCasland at North Texas. Together, they formed such a good team as point guard and head coach that they guided the Mean Green to 31 victories and a NIT championship.

It was the kind of special season that ended with a parade.

But things can change quickly in college basketball these days. Fast forward a few months and they are no longer wearing the same colors.

McCasland parlayed his success at North Texas into a higher profile job at Texas Tech and he has the Red Raiders off to a 13-2 start. Perry also looked to upgrade his situation as a graduate transfer and ended up as the starting point guard at Kansas State, where he has helped the Wildcats to a 12-3 record.

On Saturday, they will be re-united on opposite ends of the basketball court when Texas Tech hosts K-State in a battle for first place in the Big 12 standings. Instead of trying to win together they will trying to beat each other. Talk about a new set of circumstances.

Five years ago, this type of matchup would have felt strange and awkward for everyone involved. Remember how weird it was when K-State faced off against Marcus Foster in the NCAA Tournament?

But things have changed now that transfers have become much more prevalent. K-State went head-to-head with former star Nijel Pack earlier this season in a game against Miami and few made a big deal about it.

This is the new norm in college basketball.

“It is what it is,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said. “As it was appropriate for Grant to do well at North Texas and then go get the Texas Tech job, it was also appropriate for Tylor Perry to do well at North Texas and then move to a higher level. Thankfully, he picked us.”

Unlike some old player/coach matchups, there doesn’t seem to be any bad blood involved with this game.

McCasland signed Perry out of junior college and then the 5-foot-11 guard averaged 13.5 points as a junior and 17.3 points as a senior at North Texas. Perry said he was looking forward to playing a faster-paced offense after he entered the transfer portal, but he otherwise has only good things to say about his former coach.

“I have nothing but respect for him,” Perry said earlier this season.

Perry even thought about joining McCasland at Texas Tech, but he chose K-State because he thought he could take over for Markquis Nowell and help the Wildcats make another run in the NCAA Tournament.

He is currently averaging 15.1 points per game at K-State, where he has quickly established himself as one of the top shooters in the conference.

McCasland would have loved to have Perry join him in Lubbock, but he remains a big fan no matter where he plays.

Expect them to hug before and after Saturday’s game at United Supermarkets Arena, even though only one of them will walk away with a win.

“He’s remarkable,” McCasland said of Perry. “He’s the ultimate competitor and he’s an elite closer of games. He knows how to win. His work ethic is really remarkable. He’s got a great charisma to him when it comes to just filling gaps with a team and understanding the personalities of how to make them bland.

“He’s really just a fantastic person and I think that gives him the ability to lead a team. I just can’t say enough great things about him.”