Kansas State forward Ismael Massoud returns to old stomping grounds for March Madness

The vast majority of Kansas State basketball players were introduced to Greensboro Coliseum on Thursday when they got shots up inside the arena during an open practice ahead of their NCAA Tournament first-round game against Montana State, but one Wildcat has previous experience with the venue.

Ismael Massoud played here twice before he transferred to K-State from Wake Forest.

The junior forward is glad to be back.

“It’s a nice gym and a historic gym,” Massoud said. “One of my former coaches, Randolph Childress, used to have some highlights here so I texted him when I found out we were playing here. Hopefully I can have Randolph Childress moment this week.”

More than anything, Massoud is simply hoping for a pair of victories. His previous two trips to Greensboro Coliseum ended in defeat. As a freshman, he played four scoreless minutes as Pittsburgh defeated Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament. As a sophomore, he scored nine points in a conference tournament game against Notre Dame, but Wake Forest still suffered a loss.

K-State will ask Massoud to come off the bench and hit a few three-pointers in his return to his old stomping grounds. He is happy to contribute in any way that he can.

“I have had to (losses) here,” Massoud said. “So hopefully we’re ready to change that around with two wins.”

Massoud was happy when he saw K-State’s path in the NCAA Tournament. Even though he decided to transfer away from Wake Forest after two seasons he still has friends in North Carolina.

Greensboro is also close enough for his parents on the East Coast to drive in for the games. He will likely have more family and friends in attendance than any of his teammates on Friday night.

“I have some friends and stuff that I haven’t seen in a while, former teammates and managers that are going to come to the games,” Massoud said. “It’s also on the East Coast, so it’s easy for my mom to travel. So I’m excited for that.”

Another bonus: If K-State defeats Montana State and then Kentucky or Providence in the Round of 32 it will earn a trip to New York for the Sweet 16 in Madison Square Garden.

Massoud grew up in the Big Apple. So did teammates Markquis Nowell and Nae’Qwan Tomlin.

He could be looking at a bunch of homecoming games in the NCAA Tournament if the Wildcats go on a deep run.

“Obviously we’re not trying to look ahead,” Massoud said. “We’re trying to worry about Montana State. But as someone that is from New York it is something that is exciting, the opportunity to do something like that, playing in Madison Square Garden, would be amazing. But we’re focused on Greensboro right now.”