K-State Q&A: What’s wrong with Wildcats in Year 2 of basketball coach Jerome Tang?

When the Kansas State men’s basketball team beat Kentucky and earned a spot in the Sweet 16 last March, head coach Jerome Tang shared a quote that became a rallying cry for the Wildcats and all of their fans.

“We’ve got dudes!”

Many wondered how K-State could thump a traditional power like Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament and then follow that up with a thrilling victory over Michigan State to reach the Elite Eight. Well, Tang offered the simplest explanation possible. The Wildcats had “dudes,” which in college basketball is slang for “really good players.” And teams with “dudes” or “really good players” are hard to beat.

Unfortunately for K-State, things have changed this season.

The Wildcats have lost seven of their past eight games to all but eliminate themselves from NCAA Tournament contention. At this point, they probably need a few wins just to feel good about the NIT.

Why is the team struggling so much in Year 2 under Tang? He is far too positive to come out and say anything negative about his roster, which continues to fight while staring at a lost season. But the simplest explanation possible would once again be accurate. Right now, the Wildcats don’t have enough “dudes.”

Cam Carter, Arthur Kaluma and Tylor Perry are all talented players and gifted scorers. But they are inconsistent and there aren’t enough other “really good players” on the roster to make up for it when all three of them aren’t having strong games.

Maybe things would be different if Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Ques Glover were playing. As is, though, opposing teams only have to account for three players whenever the Wildcats are on offense. Slow down any combination of Carter, Kaluma and Perry and the Wildcats are rarely going to score enough points to win.

David N’Guessan has done his best to change that in recent games, as he has given the Wildcats 33 minutes of solid contributions in back-to-back outings. But the Wildcats need more to force opposing teams to spread out on defense and respect their offense.

Last year, K-State and its “dudes” ranked in the top 40 of offensive efficiency. This season, the number has dipped so far that its flirting with 200.

Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson weren’t on every single night last season. They had teammates like Ismael Massoud, Desi Sills, Carter and Tomlin to help them out. Now, it’s very rare for anyone step up and play like an unlikely hero in games.

The Wildcats need more “dudes.” Unfortunately, that’s not something that can be addressed until the offseason via the transfer portal and recruiting.

Now, let’s dive into your questions for this week’s Q&A. Thanks, as always, for providing them.

Will I ever not be in emotional distress while watching a KSU men’s basketball game this season? - @finnwil56 via X.

Well, you’re not going to be able to kick back with a beverage and relax as you watch the Wildcats make a bunch of shots and blow out an opposing Big 12 squad by 25 points.

This team simply isn’t talented enough to do that.

Even when it wins, it does so by turning games into rock fights with strong defense and slow offense.

For as bad as the Wildcats have gotten on offense, they ranked inside the top 15 nationally of defensive efficiency. That is this team’s calling card.

If K-State can scrape together a little more offense during the final few weeks of the season then you will be able to celebrate another victory or two. The next three games (BYU, West Virgina, at Cincinnati) are all winnable. But it’s not going to look pretty. This team wins and loses ugly.

If they add beat writers to the new NCAA 25, what type of customizing would you want to see? -@RobHud3 via X.

If EA Sports wants to include beat writers in its new college football game then it can put me in there free of charge.

I don’t need any NIL money.

My only request is that they make me look good. I demand that the video game properly capture my enormous muscles and long, flowing locks of hair. They might as well just go ahead and duplicate whatever hair they use for Avery Johnson and use that for me, too.

True story: Back when the Nintendo Wii was popular I never created a playable character that looked exactly like me. I preferred a little blob that had a fro on top of its head and wore aviator sunglasses.

I suppose it would be hard to recognize me in the video game if I went that route, though. So maybe they can depict me accurately and just have me doing something important at the postgame news conference. Maybe give me one of those old, school “press” hats for added effect.

After reading your story about Kansas State’s new apparel contract with Nike, I am surprised that the university isn’t getting more money out of the deal. Doesn’t Nike pay some schools millions to wear their gear? - Andrew B. via e-mail.

K-State didn’t choose to stay with Nike for money.

Remember, there is a reason why the Wildcats flirted with Under Armour and strongly considered switching to a new apparel provider. That company’s offer was much more lucrative than what Nike put on the table. If K-State wanted to make money, it would be wearing a new logo on its uniforms next season.

K-State stayed with Nike because it is the younger and hipper brand. Many think a partnership with Nike will boost exposure and recruiting. Retail sales are also probably stronger with Nike than what you will find with another company.

Furthermore, fans made it clear that they preferred Nike over any other apparel company. When word leaked that K-State was talking with Under Armour, many acted as if leaving Nike would set the K-State brand back decades.

That always seemed a bit dramatic to me. But there is no doubt that some recruits and fans strongly prefer Nike over other shoes and apparel. Speaking from experience, my kids think it is much cooler to wear a pair of Air Jordans to school than any other shoe.

Jerome Tang likes being a partner with Nike. Chris Klieman is not looking to leave Nike.

So the Wildcats stayed with Nike.

Problem is, K-State can’t make all that much money off its partnership with Nike. Maybe that will change now that a royalty is involved with their deal. When you buy K-State gear from Nike, you’re supporting the Wildcats.

Bottom line: K-State decided it was better off staying with Nike regardless of how good or bad its offer was.

Do we know when spring football will get underway? And will there be a spring game? - Sam H. via e-mail

The Wildcats will hold their first football practice of the spring on March 5. The final practice will happen a month later in the middle of April.

No spring game.

K-State would much rather end the spring with a normal practice than a scrimmage that is open to the public. I don’t think Chris Klieman will change his stance on that anytime soon.

With that veteran offensive line gone, what’s the OL going to look like this fall? - @PvillePastor - via X

The Wildcats have some nice talent returning on the offensive line, even though they have to try to replace an All-American like Cooper Beebe.

I imagine Hadley Panzer, Carver Willis and Taylor Poitier will probably be locked in as starters with some combination of Andrew Leingang, John Pastore, Easton Kilty and Drake Bequeaith helping them out up front.

Leingang has a lot of talent, so I am excited to see what he can do with more playing time now available to him. But most of K-State’s returning linemen have been eager to play more. This will be a hungry group.

It won’t be easy to replace guys like Kaitori Leveston, Hayden Gillum and Beebe. But the Wildcats do have some quality talent returning. Fans shouldn’t be worried about the front five.

Besides, blocking for athletes like DJ Giddens and Avery Johnson should give them a pretty big margin for error.