Jerome Tang Is Already Transforming Kansas State Basketball
“I like the Jerome Tang hire long-term, but I just don’t see it for Kansas State this year.” I don’t remember the exact quote, but that’s approximately what I said about Kansas State Basketball back in October. The Wildcats were almost universally predicted as the last-place finisher in the Big 12 this season. Jerome Tang wasn’t having any of that. The Wildcats are 19-6 overall, ranked in the top 15 of the AP Poll, and competing for a Big 12 title.
Having spent two decades with Scott Drew at Baylor, Tang knows a thing or two about building a winning culture. No one expected him to do it this quickly. Even more impressive: K-State’s resurgence is centered around a 5’7″ point guard and another player who took two years off basketball.
Nowell and Johnson Leading the Way
Markquis Nowell was solid for KSU last season after transferring from Little Rock, but he’s really taken things up a notch, averaging 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. Keyontae Johnson was the 2020-21 SEC Preseason Player of the Year for Florida before suffering a cardiac event during a game that threatened his life. He was eventually cleared to return to the court, but missed nearly two full seasons during that ordeal. Kansas State picked him up in the transfer portal and are really reaping the benefits. Johnson has returned to elite form, tallying 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game on 51.3% from the field and 41.1% from three.
These two unlikely pieces leading the charge for Kansas State Basketball speak to Jerome Tang as a builder, one who does the best he can with what he has. After defeating then-No. 2 Kansas 83-82 in an in-state rivalry game, the home crowd starting making disparaging chants about the Jayhawks. Tang hopped on the scorer’s table and shifted the sentiment.
Tang clarified his address of the crowd in the postgame presser.
It’s not just that Jerome Tang is winning basketball games. He’s actively changing the culture of the Kansas State Basketball program for the better. He made one more comment following the win over Kansas:
Jerome Tang said exactly what any fan wants to hear. From here on out, expect to win.
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