Kansas State Named Biggest Disappointment in Power Conference Basketball
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The Kansas State Wildcats were named one of the biggest disappointments in power conference basketball following their blowout loss to Cincinnati Wednesday.
Junior guard PJ Haggerty was the only Wildcat to end the night in double figures, scoring 24 points on 11-of-18 field goals in 38 game minutes.
College basketball insider Jon Rothstein didn't mince words following Kansas State's 91-62 loss to the Bearcats at home.
"The Kansas State situation is now one of the biggest disappointments in power conference basketball," Rothstein said on CBS Sports. "There was a belief when Kansas State added PJ Haggerty out of the transfer portal, that Kansas State was going to make a push to return to the NCAA Tournament. And early in the season, Kansas State's perimeter looked like it had the requisites to be part of a team that played in March Madness.
"It is one thing to lose games in the Big 12. It is another thing to show zero resistance, which is what the Wildcats did tonight on their home floor. This has been a recurring pattern for Kansas State. It happened a couple of weeks ago against Iowa State. I know that the Big 12 is the best conference in college basketball. I'm aware of that, but you had an opponent in Cincinnati tonight that was extremely vulnerable a couple of weeks. And credit to their coach Wes Miller, he has rallied that team over the last couple of days.
"Kansas State right now is in a real compromising position."
"It is one thing to lose games in the Big 12. It is another thing to show zero resistance."@JonRothstein says Kansas State is in a really compromising position. pic.twitter.com/dtWgv1iX6H
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) February 12, 2026
Kansas State Head Coach Doesn't Hold Back in Postgame Comments
Jerome Tang was understandably frustrated over the Wildcats' brutal loss against Cincinnati in front of 7,274 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
"This was embarrassing. These dudes did not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few in it next year. I'm embarrassed for the university, I'm embarrassed for our fans, our student section," Tang said. "We have practice tomorrow morning. We will get this thing right. I have no answers and no words. I'm only taking two questions. I'm pissed."
What's Next for Kansas State Men's Basketball?
The Wildcats have now dropped five consecutive games, but will look to bounce back against No. 3 Houston Saturday.
Kansas State faces an uphill battle against Houston, a team that boasts a 20–2 overall record and have gone 8-1 in conference play. The matchup won't be easy, but perhaps the elite competition will propel the Wildcats to play at the highest level.
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Valentina Martinez is an On SI writer. She has in depth knowledge of the college sports community and has covered professional sports extensively. She is a graduate of Arizona State University and covered Sun Devil Football, Men's Basketball, Baseball, Women's Volleyball and Softball.