Jerome Tang, Kansas State An Easy Target For Criticism With High Payroll

Kansas State Wildcats head coach Jerome Tang sets up a play in the final seconds of the second half of the NCAA Big 12 basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Kansas State Wildcats at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The Bearcats collected a 74-72 conference win. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Kansas State basketball program spent lots of money in the transfer portal last offseason.

When teams spend the cash, it bring expectations. So, naturally, the Wildcats took a little criticism after Thursday's poor performance in a loss to LSU at home.

"I want to apologize that we did not give an effort that was worthy of wearing a K-State uniform," K-State coach Jerome Tang said. "That falls solely on my shoulder. I did not do a good job of having our guys prepared ... This was an old-fashioned butt whooping."

The most expensive portal class in America loses 76-65 at home to an LSU team picked 14th in the SEC in the preseason.

Not an ideal start for Kansas State. https://t.co/eM5qsGxURP

— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) November 15, 2024

The Wildcats brought in several high-profile transfers, led by Coleman Hawkins (Illinois) and Dug McDaniel (Michigan). Hawkins was rumored to have gotten an NIL worth reportedly close to $2 million. It led to some criticizing the moves because they were so badly outplayed by LSU, which is a middle-of-the pack team in the SEC at best.

A shocking result at the Octagon of Doom: LSU controls things against Kansas State from tip to finish in an 11-point win. A quality non-conference victory for the SEC.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 15, 2024

I think last night's contest says way more about Kansas State than LSU. I still don't have much faith in LSU's talent level and still think they'll finish last in the SEC.

But man, does Kansas State look bad. All of the offseason concerns of lack of fit and positional…

— Matthew Winick (@matthewwinick) November 15, 2024

The good news is the Wildcats have three days between the next game when they play host to Mississippi Valley State Tuesday at Bramlage Coliseum. It seems Tang has decided to give the players Friday off before returning to practice to correct some things.

"It's going to be real easy to get them focused on Saturday," Tang said. "The eye in the sky doesn't lie. It's not the first time we've lost. I just don't like losing at home. I'm pissed about that."

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State Wildcats On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

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