Rapid Recap: How Jerome Tang prepares Kansas State for the Sunflower Showdown

KANSAS STATE APPROACH TO SUNFLOWER SHOWDOWN

Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang was insistent, after all of the 20 ways that it was asked, that they do not approach the Sunflower Showdown any different from other games. Based on the outcome, it is only worth one win or one loss. It is not worth more than that.

For him, he came to K-State to win a Big 12 Championship and National Championship and Tuesday’s game is not that. What good does a win in Bramlage Coliseum over Kansas do for Kansas State if they were to lose the next four?

What message are you sending to your team if you stress more importance on this one particular contest? What does that say about the other games that are just as meaningful in the larger scope of things when looking to accomplish season goals?

Not just that, he views rivalries that are back-and-forth affairs and much more competitive than the Sunflower Showdown has been thus far. Just like in football where he shared that “Kansas State smacks them dudes”, Kansas has dominated the series in recent years.

In terms of the crowd, he would also rather attendance and support be based on love for K-State rather than hatred for any one team. He believes that is healthier for a community and program, especially when his guys signed up to play college basketball in Manhattan because of their love for the staff and Kansas State rather than their dislike or hatred for another school.

Jerome Tang insisted that they prepare for the Sunflower Showdown just like any other game. Depending on outcome, it’s worth just one win or one loss. It’s not the Big 12 Championship or National Championship and that’s what he came to Kansas State to win.

— Derek Young (@DerekYoungKSO) January 16, 2023

ADDRESSING SECOND CHANCE POINTS CATEGORY

An area where K-State has been throttled in recent games is second chance points. Oklahoma State whacked them in that category 16-0 and then TCU held a 20-8 advantage on Saturday afternoon in Schollmaier Arena.

However, the rebounding part hasn’t been the issue. Oklahoma State only held a 34.9 percent to 34.1 percent edge in offensive rebounding rate over Kansas State. The Horned Frogs only collected one more offensive rebound than the Wildcats.

The problem has been finishing at the rim and Tang identified that as a weakness when asked how to solve it. At the end of the day, they just have to convert when those opportunities arise and be just as physical as the opponent.

TYKEI

Aside from Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson, Tykei Greene was the only other K-State player to score double figures versus the Horned Frogs in Fort Worth. As a matter of fact, he scored all 11 of his points in the second half.

That came after a lackluster first half where he only logged just a few minutes on the floor and was pulled by his head coach after he didn’t get down the floor with enough urgency once he had a shot blocked at the rim.

The juice and energy he played with in the second half has won himself more trust from the Kansas State coaching staff, per Tang on Monday. What they still want to see is him show everyone that he has over a 40-inch vertical leap.

When you’re that explosive, it shouldn’t be a secret. Your play should show everyone.