Preview // K-State Hosts Sunflower Showdown Saturday Night

Saturday, January 24

Manhattan, Kan.

7 p.m. CT

Kansas State University

Kansas

Buy Tickets

Preview // K-State Hosts Sunflower Showdown Saturday Night

Jan 23, 2026 | Men's Basketball

K-State Notes (.pdf)Kansas Notes (.pdf)Watch (FOX)Listen Live (K-State Sports Network)Live Stats

The Wildcats and Jayhawks will meet for the 304th time on FOX primetime.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State (10-9, 1-5 Big 12) renews one of college basketball's oldest and most-played rivalries on Saturday night, as the Wildcats welcome No. 19/19 Kansas (14-5, 4-2 Big 12) for the 304th Dillons Sunflower Showdown at Bramlage Coliseum. Tip is set for 7:05 p.m. and will air nationally on FOX with Jason Benetti and LaPhonso Ellis on the call.

A rivalry that spans more than a century, the schools have met every season since 1907 with Kansas holding a 206-97 lead, including 81-51 in Manhattan and 29-8 at Bramlage Coliseum. It is the eighth-most played series (303) in Division I, while it is also the second-longest active rivalry behind the Maine-New Hampshire series. However, the Wildcats have won 3 straight at home for the first time in more than 40 years since a 4-game streak from 1981-83. Head coach Jerome Tang is the first Wildcat coach since Jack Gardner to win his first 3 home games since 1947-49.

No. 19/19 Kansas seems to be rounding into form as the calendar turns towards February, as the Jayhawks have won 8 of their last 10 games, including 3 in a row after Tuesday's 75-69 victory at Colorado. They are one of the top defensive teams in the nation, ranking fourth in blocks (6.3 bpg.), sixth in field goal percentage defense (28.8) and 14th in 3-point field goal percentage defense (38.1).

GAME 20
KANSAS STATE (10-9, 1-5 Big 12) vs 19/19 KANSAS (14-5, 4-2 Big 12)
Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 7:05 p.m. CT | Bramlage Coliseum (11,010) | Manhattan, Kan.
304th Dillons Sunflower Showdown

TICKETS
Single-game tickets are available for $82. There are a variety of mini-plan and group ticket packages available. These can be purchased online at kstatesports.com/tickets, by calling (800) 221.CATS or by visiting the Bramlage Coliseum Ticket Office, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.

TELEVISION
FOX (online link)

Jason Benetti (play-by-play)
LaPhonso Ellis (analyst)
Brad Weimer (producer)

RADIO
K-State Sports Network
Flagships: // KMAN 1350 & WIBW 580
Satellite Radio: Ch. 380
Online: Varsity Network [free] / www.kstatesports.com/watch [free]

Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play)
Stan Weber (lead analyst)

COACHES
K-State: Jerome Tang [Charter Oak State College '07]
Record at K-State: 71-51/4th Year
Career Record: 73-51*/4th Year+
vs. Kansas: 3-3 (3-0 at home)

Kansas: Bill Self (Oklahoma State '85)
Record at Kansas: 623-161/23rd Year
Career Record: 830-266/33rd Year
vs. K-State: 42-9 (15-8 on the road)

LAST GAME STARTERS:
K-State (10-9)
G: #4 P.J. Haggerty
G: #10 David Castillo
G: #34 Nate Johnson
W: #15 Taj Manning
W: #22 Dorin Buca

19/19 Kansas (14-5)
G: #3 Tre White
G: #14 Melvin Council Jr.
G: #22 Darryn Peterson
F: #15 Bryson Tiller
F: #40 Flory Bidunga

SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Kansas leads 206-97
Big 12 era: Kansas leads 59-9 (49-9 in regular season)
In Manhattan: Kansas leads 81-51
At Bramlage Coliseum: Kansas leads 29-8 (21-8 in Big 12)
Active Streak: K-State, 1
Last Meeting: K-State won 81-73 (2/8/2025)
Jerome Tang vs. Bill Self: 3-3

A K-STATE WIN WOULD…
Give the Wildcats consecutive Big 12 wins.
Close the all-time series to 206-98 vs. KU.
Run its winning streak at home vs. KU to 4 straight.
Make the Wildcats 228-284 all-time in Big 12 play.
Give the Wildcats a 1767-1264 all-time record.

LAST TIME OUT

Junior P.J. Haggerty scored 28 of his game-high 34 points in the second half in helping a short-handed K-State to an 81-78 win over Utah on Tuesday night before 8,061 fans at Bramlage Coliseum to end a 5-game losing streak to open Big 12 play.
K-State had just 10 available players due to injuries, as the Wildcats had to play without regulars Abdi Bashir Jr. and Khamari McGriff, who had started the previous 18 games.
This forced head coach Jerome Tang to insert juniors Dorin Buca and David Castillo into the starting lineup, alongside Haggerty, senior Nate Johnson and junior Taj Manning, who made his third straight start in place of the injured Elias Rapieque.
Despite this adversity, the Wildcats found a way to pick up their first Big 12 win as Haggerty came through with a big jumper shot with a score tied at 77-all before Johnson iced the game with a pair of free throws with 6.7 seconds left. The Utes had one last chance, but junior Terrence Brown's 3-point attempt fell short with 2 seconds remaining.
Haggerty's 34 points were the 10th-most by a Wildcat in a Big 12 game and the most since Markquis Nowell went for 36 at Texas on Jan. 3, 2023. He connected on 15-of-29 field goals, including 1-of-4 from 3-point range, and 3-of-6 free throws to go with a game-high 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in more than 39 minutes.
Haggerty was joined in double figures by Castillo, who posted his second career 20-point games and first in Big 12 play with 20 points, and Johnson, who added 17 points on 5-of-9 field goals to go with a game-high 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Castillo hit a career-high 6 3-pointers, which tied for the 10th-most by a Wildcat in a Big 12 game.
Both teams shot nearly 50 percent with K-State hitting on exactly 50 percent (31-of-62) for the second consecutive game, including 52.2 percent (12-of-23) from 3-point range. Utah shot 49.2 percent (32-of-65), including 34.8 percent (8-of-23) from long range.

OFFENSE CONTINUES HOT START

K-State has continued its fast pace to start the season, as the Wildcats are averaging 85.3 points on 47.3 percent (586-of-1239) shooting, including 37.6 percent (198-of-527) from 3-point range. They are on pace to post the highest field goal percentage since connecting on 48.4 percent in 1988-89. They rank among the top-50 in 6 offensive categories, including ninth in assists (19.1), 23rd in fastbreak points (16.2), 27th in 3-point percentage and 28th in 3-point field goals/game (10.4).
The Wildcats have scored 80 or more points in 13 of the first 19 games for the first time in school history, while they have two 100-point games for the just the fifth time. The 1620 points scored are the most through the first 19 games, surpassing the 1552 scored by the 2009-10 team.
Junior P.J. Haggerty leads the nation in total points (444), while he is third in scoring (23.4 ppg.), field goals made (159) and attempted (322). Injured junior Abdi Bashir Jr. ranks in the top-20 in 3-point field goals/game (3.72/4th), total 3-pointers (67/7th) and 3-point field goal percentage (44.4/17th).

POINTS IN THE FIRST 19 GAMES
1620, 2025-26 (94, 98, 99, 84, 98, 85, 69, 66, 67, 108, 83, 106, 94, 73, 76, 84, 73, 83, 81 points)
1552, 2009-10 (92, 82, 80, 74, 83, 70, 83, 86, 71, 95, 87, 90, 85, 91, 68, 88, 87, 71, 69 points)
1534, 2007-08 (94, 76, 77, 77, 73, 82, 77, 59, 82, 87, 90, 101, 77, 85, 84, 75, 72, 82, 84 points)
1501, 1997-98 (93, 89, 89, 71, 101, 90, 67, 76, 70, 87, 111, 64, 62, 77, 62, 76, 78, 72, 66 points)
1458, 2008-09 (96, 88, 82, 69, 83, 72, 63, 70, 74, 107, 73, 82, 83, 99, 53, 71, 51, 65, 77 points)

'CATS SCORE 100+ POINTS TWICE

K-State has twice scored 100 or more points, including a season-high 108 vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/8/25) and 106 vs. South Dakota (12/20/25). The 2 100-point outings tie 4 other teams (1966-67, 1979-80, 1993-94 and 1997-98) for the most in a single season, while also matching the most at home.

MOST POINTS AT BRAMLAGE COLISEUM

K-State's 99-96 win over Cal on Nov. 13 made history, as the 195 combined points were the most-ever in Bramlage Coliseum, surpassing the 194 scored between K-State (106) and Marshall (88) on Dec. 2, 1995.
K-State posted the highest field goal percentage of the Jerome Tang era for the second straight game, as the Wildcats hit on 64.4 percent (38-of-59) from the field. It was the highest field goal percentage since shooting 66.0 percent vs. Wake Forest on March 14, 2017.

MOST POINTS AT T-MOBILE CENTER

The 98 points scored against Mississippi State (11/20/25) in the semifinals of the Hall of Fame Classic, which are the most by the Wildcats in 50 games at the T-Mobile Center topping the 87 scored in the first-ever game in the building against Florida A&M on Dec. 17, 2007.

HAGGERTY JOINS ELITE COMPANY

Junior P.J. Haggerty recorded his third 30-point game of the season in the win over Utah on Tuesday, as his 34 points tied for the 10th-most by a Wildcat in a Big 12 games and the most since Markquis Nowell went for 36 at Texas on Jan. 3, 2023. He is the first Wildcat to score in double figures in the first 19 games since Jacob Pullen in 2009-10, while his 444 points are the second-most by a player through the first 19 games and the most since Beasley's 480 points.

HAGGERTY HAS RARE 30-10 GAME

Junior P.J. Haggerty had 31 points and a career-tying 10 rebounds vs. Tulsa (11/17/25) to become the first Wildcat since Michael Beasley in 2008 to post a rare 30-point, 10-rebound double-double. He scored 27 of his 31 points in the second half, which are the fifth-most in any half.

TRIO OF 'CATS POST 20-POINT GAMES

K-State had three players record 20-point games in the win over Cal, as junior P.J. Haggerty led the way with 23 points to go with 21 from senior Khamari McGriff and 20 from senior Nate Johnson.
The trio is the first to each have 20-point games since Dean Wade (34 points), Kamau Stokes (23 points) and Barry Brown Jr. (21 points) did it against Iowa State on Dec. 29, 2017.

McGRIFF, CASTILLO GO PERFECT

Two Wildcats - senior Khamari McGriff and sophomore David Castillo - each went perfect from the field, becoming the 24th and 25th players in school history to go perfect from the field on 5 or more field goals in the 98-71 win over Bellarmine on Nov. 8. They are the first teammates to accomplish the feat in the same game.
Castillo scored a career-high 19 points on 7-of-7 shooting, including 5-of-5 from 3-point range, while McGriff totaled 16 points on 8-of-8 field goals. Castillo is just the eighth Wildcat to go 5-of-5 from beyond the arc, joining his high school coach Clent Stewart who was in attendance.

NOTES ON 19/19 KANSAS

Led by Hall of Fame head coach Bill Self, No. 19/19 Kansas has won 3 straight after a 75-69 win at Colorado on Tuesday night to move to 14-5 overall and 4-2 in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks have won 8 of their last 10 games with their lone defeats coming at UCF (75-81) and at West Virginia (75-86).
Kansas is averaging 77.8 points on 47.1 percent shooting, including 36.2 percent from 3-point range, while allowing 67.6 points on 38.1 percent shooting, including 28.8 percent from 3-point range. The Jayhawks are out-rebounding their foes, 39.5 to 35.8, and turn the ball over just 10.4 times per game. They are shooting 76.1 percent from the free throw line.
As been the case under Self, Kansas remains one of the top defensive teams in the nation, ranking fourth in blocks/game (6.3), fifth in defensive rebounds (29.95), sixth in field goal percentage defense (38.1) and 14th in 3-point field goal percentage defense (28.8). The Jayhawks also do without fouling, ranking 14th in fouls per game (14.6).
Four players are averaging in double figures led by freshman phenom Darryn Peterson, who is averaging 21.6 points on 49.3 percent shooting, including 42 percent from 3-point range. Senior Tre White averages 15.0 points on 47.7 percent shooting with a team-high 33 made 3-pointers to go with 7.5 rebounds per game. Sophomore Flory Bidunga averages a near double-double with 14.1 points on 65.9 percent shooting with 8.9 rebounds. Senior Melvin Council Jr. averages 13.5 points with a team-high 91 assists.
Self has won 831 games in his career, including 624 at Kansas. His teams have advanced to every NCAA Tournament since 1999, winning national championships in 2008 and 2022. He is 42-9 vs. K-State, including 15-8 at Bramlage Coliseum.

SERIES HISTORY

Kansas leads the series, 206-97, including 59-9 in the Big 12 era.
Kansas leads in games played in Manhattan, 81-51, including 29-8 at Bramlage Coliseum. Eight of the 9 wins by K-State in the Big 12 era have come at home, including each of the last 3 for the first time in more than 40 years since a 4-game streak from 1981-83.

LAST 5 MEETINGS IN MANHATTAN [3-2]

Date	Rank	Result	Score	Location
2/17/2021	—/23	L	41-59	Manhattan
1/22/2022	—/7	L	75-78	Manhattan
1/17/2023	13/2	W	83-82 (OT)	Manhattan
2/5/2024	—/4	W	75-70	Manhattan
2/8/2025	—/16	W	81-73	Manhattan

LAST MEETING IN MANHATTAN
K-STATE 81, 16/16 KANSAS 73 (Feb. 8, 2025)

Senior David N'Guessan led four Wildcats in double figures with 20 points, as K-State posted a near wire-to-wire 81-73 win over No. 16/17 Kansas in the last matchup between the schools at Bramlage Coliseum.
K-State led for more than 37 minutes, using an 18-5 run midway through the first half to assert control of the game en route to a 44-36 lead at the half. The lead grew to as many as 15 points in the second half, as Kansas got to within 74-64 just after the final media timeout.

UP NEXT:
K-State hits the road for Morgantown, W.Va., on Tuesday night for a matchup at West Virginia (13-6, 4-2 Big 12) at Hope Coliseum. Tip is set for 7:37 p.m., on FS1. This will be the first meeting in Morgantown since 2024. The Mountaineers own a 16-13 lead in the all-time series, including a 9-3 mark at home.