Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang spent time during his team’s short Christmas break taking a hard look at himself and his program.
The Wildcats had lost three straight games to finish the non-conference portion of their schedule with a disappointing 6-5 record heading into last Monday’s Big 12 opener against Cincinnati. So, with the players out for a few days, what better time to reflect?
“Obviously when you put something together and you think you have the answers and you realize you don’t, sometimes losses and hardships can affect who you are,” Tang said after the Wildcats made their best performance to date. with a 70-67 victory over the No. 17-ranked Bearcats at Bramlage Coliseum.
“Over the Christmas break and these last few days, God has restored to me that my identity is not about winning and losing games, but about what we pour out on these young men that lasts for eternity.”
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“Our guys were resilient; they persevered and kept moving forward, and our staff did a really good job of trying to simplify the game and help them, and (the players) did a really good job of buying into the scouting report.
The trick now for Tang and his Wildcats is to make sure the turnaround isn’t a one-off. Next up is their first Big 12 road test when they travel to Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday for a 3 p.m. game against TCU at Schollmaier Arena.
“Our players, we have to wash them, enjoy the victory, but move on,” Tang said. “Because in this league, as soon as you relax and think you have things figured out, here comes another ranked team.”
Forward Coleman Hawkins, the heralded graduate transfer from Illinois, had his best game in a Wildcats uniform against Cincinnati, scoring 20 points with 10 rebounds, three assists and four steals. But he wasn’t alone. Michigan transfer Dug McDaniel added 17 points in his second start at point guard, and forward David N’Guessan had a typical steady performance with 13 points and seven rebounds.
“I’m very proud of the team,” Hawkins said afterward. “It feels good to be back in the win column, and winning is contagious too, so it’s a great feeling. Hopefully it will make the guys want to win even more.
“It’s amazing what five days off for Christmas will do. Clear your head (and) come back ready to play.”
Now, with back-to-back road games at TCU and then Tuesday against Oklahoma State, the Wildcats have a chance to show that the Cincinnati game was no fluke.
“I feel like with our mindset and the type of drive our guys have, we’re going to build on this game and take it to Saturday,” McDaniel said.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett Network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
This article was originally published on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State basketball looks for more in Big 12 road test at TCU
