Jerome Tang Previews Arizona State Game
Feb 20, 2025 | Men's Basketball
The Wildcats and Sun Devils play Sunday at 3 pm CT
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head men's basketball coach Jerome Tang met with the media on Thursday afternoon (Feb. 20) to preview the upcoming matchup with Arizona State.
K-State (13-13, 7-8 Big 12) will play the first of two consecutive Sunday afternoon games, as the Wildcats return home for the first time since Feb. 11 with the visit by the Sun Devils (12-14, 3-12 Big 12) to Bramlage Coliseum at 3 p.m., CT. It will be their first visit to Manhattan since 1982.
Links to the audio and a transcript of Tang's availability are above.
K-State has lost consecutive games at BYU and Utah after a 6-game winning streak from Jan. 25 to Feb. 11. The Wildcats were crushed on the glass, 92-59, in the 2 games, including a 51-28 advantage to the Utes. The -23 rebounding margin was the second largest of the season.
The Wildcats will be looking to sweep the Sun Devils in the regular season in their first season in the Big 12 after a narrow 71-70 win in Tempe, Ariz., on Feb. 4, in which, they rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit. It tied for the largest deficit overcome in a conference road game and the second largest on the road all-time behind a 17-point rally at California on Dec. 29, 1995.
Arizona State enters Sunday's game on a 6-game losing streak after its 80-65 loss to No. 5/5 Houston at home on Tuesday night. Five players are averaging in double figures, including senior B.J. Freeman's team-best 13.7 points per game average. Senior Alston Mason, who prepped at Blue Valley Northwest in Kansas City, scored a game-high 26 points vs. the Cougars.
The all-time series is tied at 5-all after K-State's win earlier this season. This will be the fourth meeting in Manhattan and the first since a 49-46 win on Dec. 20, 1982.
Following Sunday's game, the Wildcats will make their first trip to UCF (13-13, 4-11 Big 12) on Wednesday night at 6 p.m., CT.
HEAD COACH JEROME TANG
On the addition of Tyreek Smith…
"Yeah, man, it's been great having another live body. He's strong, he's a really good rebounder, defender, he gets to play the best player on the other team, best forward on the other team. He's fresh, right? So, it's a live body flying around out there. He's a grown man; he just conducts his business in a way that you just really appreciate his maturity. It's been good for us. I've known Rick for a long time, and you know, so it's a long relationship there. And I didn't recruit him the other times that he was available, because I didn't feel like I was at a spot or in a position where we could provide him the opportunity needed. And with the fact that Coleman and David we'll lose some forwards, we need maturity and someone with some experience at those positions. Because of how I would feel about him and his family and everybody around him, you know, I could look him in the eye and say, Man, we have a great opportunity for him here that he can, and he provides us something that we need. I felt like in in Utah, there was some things that got revealed that the physicality of the league and how guys are allowed to play us, and so it's either that you got to bring in bodies like that so that you can match that physicality, because it doesn't seem like they're going to change the way that the game is being called, and that that's something that he provides like he doesn't shy away from the physicality."
On the road games against BYU and Utah…
"They pursued the ball more than we did. In our six-game win streak, we had three and sometimes four guards that had three plus rebounds. And on the Utah trip, our guards didn't rebound for us, and we need our guards to rebound for us. The way BYU played us, they stayed home and wanted to make it a two-on-two game in the middle tunnel. And we did. We weren't patient enough and didn't move enough, and we moved more against Utah, so we were able to get some of that, but it still took a while, you know? And so, it's just something we have a copycat League. You watch how one team beats another team, and then the next coach is smart enough to say, hey, we can implement some of that into it, and that's what happens. And so. We know how teams are going to try and stop us now, so now we have to make the adjustment to that. And although we can make it quicker."
On the NCAA Tournament chances…
"No, it is one game at a time, we want to be focused on that game, whatever's going on at the end of the day. You know, somebody else is going to make that decision on the bubble. All we can control is how we prepare and then how we play in the game. I'm excited, five games to go, six, you know, guaranteed with the Big 12 Championship. I got a group of guys that are excited about playing, and so I'm fired up about that."
On playing a team with a significant size advantage…
"Yeah. Their size definitely bothered us. I think the whole trip, because BYU is the same way. They have a really good size. So, what we have to do is we have to let our speed be our advantage and probably play a little bit faster. Try to score more in transition. But to do that, you've got to rebound the basketball. And that's why it's so important if guards rebound, because then they don't have to pass the ball to anybody. Hey, just grab it and go and you can start the break. So, try trying to score more easy buckets."
On preparing for the second matchup with Arizona State…
"We are both going to know each other, and so it's just about who can score the easier buckets and who can make the other team play to their second and third option that's what it's going to come down to."
On the possibility of a general manager to build the roster…
"We're definitely having conversations about all of it. Especially like when you look at college football now, and there are NFL guys that are leaving to come to college. The opportunity to help build a roster together. For those guys the salary is equivalent for them, and so it's the same way on the men's side and basketball is that roster management and having certain conversations with guys. Right now, we're in the middle of, do we have those conversations right now? And what happens if I have a conversation with Kellis, but I don't have that conversation with you, you know? How does that mess up the locker room? So, we're definitely talking about it. I'm not making a decision one way or the other. It's just more fact, finding, gathering information and figuring out what's going to be the best for the program moving forward."
On Nae'Qwan Tomlin getting a 10-day contract…
"Man, I'm fired up for him! We have this thing in our transition defense. 3.2 How many seconds it should take you to get back. And there was a clip of him the other day in a game, and it was in our tech spread, it said 2.2 how fast he went from offense, down to the defense. I mean, he was flying down the court. And I've had several NBA guys reach out about him, because if the Cavs didn't put him on a 10 day, there was going to be another team that was going to pursue him. So proud of him, happy for him. It's just incredible to see young men fulfill their dreams."
On David N'Guessan's speed in transition…
"He's fast, right? For his size, his height and length, his speed is the difference maker, and he's quick. So, we try to watch and see, you know, are there opportunities for that, and try to convince him to do it. And Phil (Baier) has these monitors that they have, and I think 17 miles an hour is like you got to hit 17 a couple times a game, you know? And so, I know, like in football, it's like 20 and 22 and that kind of stuff. But Phil says our courts are not long enough that it's hard for a guy to hit 20 on a basketball floor, because it's just not long. It's just something, and it's one of his strengths. And you know, anytime we can score easy buckets, man, we got to try and find it."
On playing on Sundays…
"I prefer not to play on Sunday, but then I'll look at the referees we're going to have. We have three final four referees. So, I'm all about that. So, there's a benefit of that, that you have a really great crew, because there's not that many games on Sunday and on Saturday right now, there are just so many games and that it's hard for all the games to be covered properly."
On the resilience of his players…
"Well, we try not to listen to any of it (praise and/or criticism). We try just to focus on that game and then whatever the result is, we move on to the next one. What I've seen for my guys is, first they were just a bunch of individuals who were playing basketball, and then they were playing for each other, and now I feel like they're playing for K State, and that's why. As a coach, I'm proud of that. I'm proud that now they're playing for this, for each other also, but for this and it means something to them, and I think that's a reflection of the staff, of their character as people, but also our fan base and how they've supported these guys. There's been criticism, but I don't know that it's from our fans. Like our guys have felt the love and the support and that allows them to keep moving forward and want to keep moving forward."
On watching the NCAA tournament metrics and rankings…
"I'm trying to learn from last year. I thought maybe I might have put some undue pressure on our guys by putting a number out there, or any of that. Right now, all we can focus on is just winning the next game. The blessing of playing in this league is you're always playing against really good teams. So those numbers kind of take care of themselves if you can win some games. But for us, it's just about winning our next game against Arizona State."
On the seniors playing their final games…
"You never know when the right time is to do that. Who knows if every senior is really coming down to the last of their career based on what's going on right now? Some of them, you're hearing that they may go to five years, and the COVID year doesn't count. That's where it's hard right now as a coach, because you're not exactly sure who's going to be available, who's not going to be available. So, we're just taking it one at a time. We get to meet today and watch film and start a scouting report. And so, we're going to focus on going 1-0 today."
On the energy of playing at home…
"The energy our fans bring, man, is just tremendous. I usually say it's a 10-point advantage. Our fans, they bring it, and our students, and that's why it's so hard to win on the road in any league, but particularly this one, because I mean the environment at BYU is as good as it gets. And even Utah, you know their fans were involved in the game and so excited that we get to play in front of our fans. I told y'all, the toughest game, that second road game, that back-to-back road, that second one is hard. I'm happy that we're home."
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X, Instagram and Facebook.
K-State (13-13, 7-8 Big 12) will play the first of two consecutive Sunday afternoon games, as the Wildcats return home for the first time since Feb. 11 with the visit by the Sun Devils (12-14, 3-12 Big 12) to Bramlage Coliseum at 3 p.m., CT. It will be their first visit to Manhattan since 1982.
Links to the audio and a transcript of Tang's availability are above.
K-State has lost consecutive games at BYU and Utah after a 6-game winning streak from Jan. 25 to Feb. 11. The Wildcats were crushed on the glass, 92-59, in the 2 games, including a 51-28 advantage to the Utes. The -23 rebounding margin was the second largest of the season.
The Wildcats will be looking to sweep the Sun Devils in the regular season in their first season in the Big 12 after a narrow 71-70 win in Tempe, Ariz., on Feb. 4, in which, they rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit. It tied for the largest deficit overcome in a conference road game and the second largest on the road all-time behind a 17-point rally at California on Dec. 29, 1995.
Arizona State enters Sunday's game on a 6-game losing streak after its 80-65 loss to No. 5/5 Houston at home on Tuesday night. Five players are averaging in double figures, including senior B.J. Freeman's team-best 13.7 points per game average. Senior Alston Mason, who prepped at Blue Valley Northwest in Kansas City, scored a game-high 26 points vs. the Cougars.
The all-time series is tied at 5-all after K-State's win earlier this season. This will be the fourth meeting in Manhattan and the first since a 49-46 win on Dec. 20, 1982.
Following Sunday's game, the Wildcats will make their first trip to UCF (13-13, 4-11 Big 12) on Wednesday night at 6 p.m., CT.
HEAD COACH JEROME TANG
On the addition of Tyreek Smith…
"Yeah, man, it's been great having another live body. He's strong, he's a really good rebounder, defender, he gets to play the best player on the other team, best forward on the other team. He's fresh, right? So, it's a live body flying around out there. He's a grown man; he just conducts his business in a way that you just really appreciate his maturity. It's been good for us. I've known Rick for a long time, and you know, so it's a long relationship there. And I didn't recruit him the other times that he was available, because I didn't feel like I was at a spot or in a position where we could provide him the opportunity needed. And with the fact that Coleman and David we'll lose some forwards, we need maturity and someone with some experience at those positions. Because of how I would feel about him and his family and everybody around him, you know, I could look him in the eye and say, Man, we have a great opportunity for him here that he can, and he provides us something that we need. I felt like in in Utah, there was some things that got revealed that the physicality of the league and how guys are allowed to play us, and so it's either that you got to bring in bodies like that so that you can match that physicality, because it doesn't seem like they're going to change the way that the game is being called, and that that's something that he provides like he doesn't shy away from the physicality."
On the road games against BYU and Utah…
"They pursued the ball more than we did. In our six-game win streak, we had three and sometimes four guards that had three plus rebounds. And on the Utah trip, our guards didn't rebound for us, and we need our guards to rebound for us. The way BYU played us, they stayed home and wanted to make it a two-on-two game in the middle tunnel. And we did. We weren't patient enough and didn't move enough, and we moved more against Utah, so we were able to get some of that, but it still took a while, you know? And so, it's just something we have a copycat League. You watch how one team beats another team, and then the next coach is smart enough to say, hey, we can implement some of that into it, and that's what happens. And so. We know how teams are going to try and stop us now, so now we have to make the adjustment to that. And although we can make it quicker."
On the NCAA Tournament chances…
"No, it is one game at a time, we want to be focused on that game, whatever's going on at the end of the day. You know, somebody else is going to make that decision on the bubble. All we can control is how we prepare and then how we play in the game. I'm excited, five games to go, six, you know, guaranteed with the Big 12 Championship. I got a group of guys that are excited about playing, and so I'm fired up about that."
On playing a team with a significant size advantage…
"Yeah. Their size definitely bothered us. I think the whole trip, because BYU is the same way. They have a really good size. So, what we have to do is we have to let our speed be our advantage and probably play a little bit faster. Try to score more in transition. But to do that, you've got to rebound the basketball. And that's why it's so important if guards rebound, because then they don't have to pass the ball to anybody. Hey, just grab it and go and you can start the break. So, try trying to score more easy buckets."
On preparing for the second matchup with Arizona State…
"We are both going to know each other, and so it's just about who can score the easier buckets and who can make the other team play to their second and third option that's what it's going to come down to."
On the possibility of a general manager to build the roster…
"We're definitely having conversations about all of it. Especially like when you look at college football now, and there are NFL guys that are leaving to come to college. The opportunity to help build a roster together. For those guys the salary is equivalent for them, and so it's the same way on the men's side and basketball is that roster management and having certain conversations with guys. Right now, we're in the middle of, do we have those conversations right now? And what happens if I have a conversation with Kellis, but I don't have that conversation with you, you know? How does that mess up the locker room? So, we're definitely talking about it. I'm not making a decision one way or the other. It's just more fact, finding, gathering information and figuring out what's going to be the best for the program moving forward."
On Nae'Qwan Tomlin getting a 10-day contract…
"Man, I'm fired up for him! We have this thing in our transition defense. 3.2 How many seconds it should take you to get back. And there was a clip of him the other day in a game, and it was in our tech spread, it said 2.2 how fast he went from offense, down to the defense. I mean, he was flying down the court. And I've had several NBA guys reach out about him, because if the Cavs didn't put him on a 10 day, there was going to be another team that was going to pursue him. So proud of him, happy for him. It's just incredible to see young men fulfill their dreams."
On David N'Guessan's speed in transition…
"He's fast, right? For his size, his height and length, his speed is the difference maker, and he's quick. So, we try to watch and see, you know, are there opportunities for that, and try to convince him to do it. And Phil (Baier) has these monitors that they have, and I think 17 miles an hour is like you got to hit 17 a couple times a game, you know? And so, I know, like in football, it's like 20 and 22 and that kind of stuff. But Phil says our courts are not long enough that it's hard for a guy to hit 20 on a basketball floor, because it's just not long. It's just something, and it's one of his strengths. And you know, anytime we can score easy buckets, man, we got to try and find it."
On playing on Sundays…
"I prefer not to play on Sunday, but then I'll look at the referees we're going to have. We have three final four referees. So, I'm all about that. So, there's a benefit of that, that you have a really great crew, because there's not that many games on Sunday and on Saturday right now, there are just so many games and that it's hard for all the games to be covered properly."
On the resilience of his players…
"Well, we try not to listen to any of it (praise and/or criticism). We try just to focus on that game and then whatever the result is, we move on to the next one. What I've seen for my guys is, first they were just a bunch of individuals who were playing basketball, and then they were playing for each other, and now I feel like they're playing for K State, and that's why. As a coach, I'm proud of that. I'm proud that now they're playing for this, for each other also, but for this and it means something to them, and I think that's a reflection of the staff, of their character as people, but also our fan base and how they've supported these guys. There's been criticism, but I don't know that it's from our fans. Like our guys have felt the love and the support and that allows them to keep moving forward and want to keep moving forward."
On watching the NCAA tournament metrics and rankings…
"I'm trying to learn from last year. I thought maybe I might have put some undue pressure on our guys by putting a number out there, or any of that. Right now, all we can focus on is just winning the next game. The blessing of playing in this league is you're always playing against really good teams. So those numbers kind of take care of themselves if you can win some games. But for us, it's just about winning our next game against Arizona State."
On the seniors playing their final games…
"You never know when the right time is to do that. Who knows if every senior is really coming down to the last of their career based on what's going on right now? Some of them, you're hearing that they may go to five years, and the COVID year doesn't count. That's where it's hard right now as a coach, because you're not exactly sure who's going to be available, who's not going to be available. So, we're just taking it one at a time. We get to meet today and watch film and start a scouting report. And so, we're going to focus on going 1-0 today."
On the energy of playing at home…
"The energy our fans bring, man, is just tremendous. I usually say it's a 10-point advantage. Our fans, they bring it, and our students, and that's why it's so hard to win on the road in any league, but particularly this one, because I mean the environment at BYU is as good as it gets. And even Utah, you know their fans were involved in the game and so excited that we get to play in front of our fans. I told y'all, the toughest game, that second road game, that back-to-back road, that second one is hard. I'm happy that we're home."
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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