Gradual Improvement Is Essential For Kansas State's Jerome Tang

Jerome Tang says every day is about getting 'one percent' better for Kansas State.

Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (2) goes for a layup as Kansas State Wildcats' forward Coleman Hawkins (33) and forward David N'Guessan (1) defend during the second half in the Big-12 men’s basketball showdown at Hilton Coliseum on Feb 1, 2025 in Ames, Iowa. | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kansas State fans were probably anxious waiting for the team to flip the script after losing six in a row.

But for coach Jerome Tang says the mentality is to slowly improve each day.

"We gotta get one percent better," Tang said Thursday afternoon. "We got to go 1-0 in our film session, we gotta go 1-0 in our walk through. I want to know how they rehab tonight. And so, we're gonna prepare to win. We have to do the right things today, and hopefully they did the right things yesterday, so that tomorrow we can have a great day. And so, it's just about going 1-0 and getting 1 percent better every day."

JEROME TANG PREVIEWS KANSAS JAYHAWKS IN SECOND SEASON MATCHUP

Kansas State coach Jerome Tang offered his initial comments Saturday afternoon, previewing No. 16 Kansas. The last time they met, the Wildcats lost to Kansas behind star performances from Hunter Dickinson and Zeke Mayo.

"They had a 16-point lead with like nine minutes to go," Tang said. "From that point on, we outscored them, but you can't give a team that good that kind of lead. We have to start better."

But that was the old Kansas State. Or, at least the one from the first half of the season.

It's gone 4-1 since, including four consecutive victories over the past two weeks. The Wildcats have improved tremendously in paint scoring, which they've won or kept competitive during this span.

"They dominated us in the paint," Tang said about facing Kansas the first time. "They had a 12-point advantage in the paint. They come out the second half, and they got eight straight points Hunter Dickinson in the paint. We have to have an answer for that where we don't do that."

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.