K-State Men's Basketball Big 12 Media Day: Cats Ready to Make Noise

Jack Johnson
2 days ago
3 min read

Big 12 Basketball Media Days presented by New Era tipped off Tuesday, October 21. On Wednesday, the men’s teams descended on the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City to preview the upcoming season.

Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang and three of his players—Mobi Ikegwuruka, PJ Haggerty, and Abdi Bashir—were first to take the stage, fielding questions about what’s ahead for the Wildcats.

The Star

Unsurprisingly, most of the attention centered on PJ Haggerty—the most coveted player in the transfer portal, AAC Player of the Year, consensus second-team All-American, and the nation’s third-leading scorer. His transfer to Kansas State shocked plenty, but when asked why he chose the Wildcats, PJ grabbed his coach’s arm and said, “This guy right here.” Haggerty explained that his relationship with Tang, which began back in eighth grade when Tang was at Baylor, was the deciding factor. Add in the instant sense of home he felt in Manhattan, and the choice was clear. Tang returned the compliment, calling Haggerty “the best point guard in the country.”

The Sniper

Abdi Bashir Jr. also drew plenty of buzz—and for good reason. Tang didn’t mince words: “He’s THE best shooter in the country.” After leading the nation in three-pointers per game last season at Monmouth, Bashir’s arrival fills the armadillo-sized hole left by sharpshooter Brendan Hausen. Bashir’s take on the cats offense this season: “We got a lot of weapons out there… Somebody can torch you any night.”

The Soul

Fan favorite high-flying, high-motor glue guy Mobi Ikegwuruka spent the offseason sharpening his mid-range jumper. Offensive growth was his top priority, and both he and Tang are pleased with the progress. Expect him to contribute on both ends this year.

The Structure

During their players press conference, the trio of Cats spoke on if the offense would stick to the traditional K-State free-flowing, no-set-plays style, or if new Associate Head Coach Matthew Driscoll would bring a different, more structured look. “It’ll be a mix of both.” Haggerty emphasized that at the end of the day, the best players make the right play when it appears to them. This balance of structure and freedom could make the Wildcats unpredictable and dangerous.

The Stability (questions)

Coach Tang spoke on this team’s depth compares to his past squads. “The guard depth is incredible.” Tang said he has six guards he feels comfortable playing. However, he admitted he’s less certain about the forwards and centers. Friday’s exhibition game against Missouri will give him a better sense of where the frontcourt stands.

The Solution

With 10 newcomers and only four returners, roster turnover is the norm in today’s college basketball. But Tang doesn’t talk about “culture” the way most coaches do. “We don’t use that word. We say we live life together,” Tang said. Players regularly visit his home for dinner—“I brought PJ over for dinner. I said what do you want to eat, and he said pizza. PJ thinking it was going to be dominoes instead made a pizza from scratch.” Tang believes this style of coaching is the reason for success inside and outside of hoops. “They know we love them, and because they know that, we earn the right to hold them accountable on the court.”

The Season

Kansas State heads into the season with plenty of intrigue, and the Wildcats look poised to make noise in the Big 12. Preseason rankings have this team as the 9th best in the conference, but one thing is clear: Jerome Tang’s squad isn’t just aiming to compete—they’re aiming to contend.