Jerome Tang admits 'it sucked' coaching against Cam Carter vs. LSU

By way of the transfer portal, Cam Carter left Kansas State this past offseason and went to LSU. However, he returned to Manhattan last night to play a non-conference game against his former team.

Jerome Tang discussed what it was like for him and the Wildcats to play against a past teammate following a 76-65 loss to the Tigers. He said that the meeting actually affected them more than he thought it would, especially with Carter having a good performance against them. Tang still has a lot of love for him, though, at the next point in his career.

“You know, I love Cam Carter,” said Tang postgame. “I’m so thankful for him, you know, for what he’s given to K-State.”

“You know, it actually was a little bit more emotional than I thought it was going to be, you know, to see him and stuff. But then it sucked watching him play and that’s the truth,” Tang said. “But I’m happy for him. He gets to play at home. His family gets to see him play.”

Carter started in 70 games for K-State over the last two seasons. He averaged 10.4 points, four rebounds, two assists, and 1.2 steals while there with the Wildcats. That included a career-best season last year with stats of 14.6 points, five rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals.

Carter then entered the portal in the week after the season ended. He did so as the No. 119 overall transfer per On3’s 2024 Top Transfer Portal Players before committing as part of a trio of additions for LSU.

In his first three games in Baton Rouge, Carter has been the best player so far for LSU. He has averaged 20.7 points, in scoring 20-plus in all three outings, with 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and a block on very high shooting splits at 52.9% from the field and 57.9% from three.

During the 11-point win over his former team on their floor at Bramlage Coliseum, Carter put up a game-high of 20 points (54.5% FG, 50% 3PT) with four boards, two assists, and a block.

Losing by double digits to a big game from Carter was about the worst thing that could have happened last night for Kansas State. Even so, with that now over, Tang can go back to appreciating and rooting for him as he continues his season with his new team.

“You know, I felt like he gave us a lot while he was here and I felt like I gave him a lot while he was here,” Tang said. “You know, I’ll be a cheerleader for him the rest of the way.”