Rapid Recap: Key adjustments from Kansas State fuel win

KANSAS STATE NEEDED REST

Sometimes the answer is to not push the accelerator more and more. Sometimes it is taking the foot off the accelerator, and Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang reached that understanding after road losses to Oklahoma and Texas Tech.

Specifically against the Sooners, the K-State basketball boss was disappointed in the effort. After some conversations and more missions to find more answers, it was discovered that the legs had just left Kansas State for the most part and they needed some rest.

That was just what the doctor ordered because the Wildcats appeared more fresh, fast, spirited, inspired and played with more effort at home versus Iowa State than we’ve seen from them in probably weeks. Tang showed why it is always important to make those keen observations but to always listen to your players as well.

Having your legs more underneath you allows you to play better defense, but it can elevate your shooting percentages and make you more efficient, too. Markquis Nowell wasn’t necessarily efficient from the field. He wasn’t at all. But that 4 of 9 mark from behind the three-point line was a critical factor.

Nothing but HUSTLE from Desi Sills 😤 pic.twitter.com/JKy5XtudJl

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 18, 2023

THE BLOCK

Just observing reactions is something I like to do in press conferences. Not all communication is verbal, and some of the key moments are associated with that. When the trio of players of Ismael Massoud, Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson brought up the block by Desi Sills, that’s all I needed to know.

They were asked about his impact of being inserted into the starting lineup, and the block was mentioned by Nowell. He discussed how major it was when K-State was trailing 15-10, and it was an animated nodding of the head from Massoud and Johnson as well.

Sills’ energy and effort on that end of the floor is something that is greatly respected and appreciated by his teammates. He won them over, despite arriving at Kansas State late, because of his pace, unselfishness and intensity level.

FOUL TROUBLE

Once again it was a game where Nae’Qwan Tomlin was in foul trouble, and Tang admitted that it really hurts the Wildcats when that is the case. It really takes away the length of K-State in the frontcourt and hurts them on the glass as well.

Tomlin is also a player that has to play with energy to be effective, and it’s hard to find a rhythm without the usual route of minutes and rotations. It can throw him out of whack a bit. His skill-set just can’t be duplicated by anyone else on the Kansas State roster.

It was a shame too because he had been playing very well the last week or two and had found an extra gear in his development as a basketball player. Unfortunately, Sills in the starting lineup also means more Tomlin at the ‘5’ and that can be conducive to more fouls.

PASSIONATE K-STATE FANS

Negativity after a few losses was a topic of conversation in the days leading up to the second meeting of the season between K-State and Iowa State. Some thought it was a little much, but it really is just a product of social media and being able to distribute your thoughts for all to see in an instant.

Folks have to recognize the very fragile nature of it and realize that it isn’t more problematic in one particular fan base. It’s present everywhere. I searched three schools that had lost on Twitter the other night, and it was the same result.

There were over-reactionary fans calling for coaches to be fired and labeling the team as an embarrassment even though, broadly, that particular program was having a successful season this year. Fans is short of fanatic. Remember that.

And as I’ve said, passion works both ways, and the Kansas State head coach mentioned that when asked about those events and if he insulates himself and his team from it. He acknowledged that it’s out there and it’s because people care.

Fans will be passionate and excited if they win. Fans will be passionate and excited if they lose. To him, he’d rather Bramlage Coliseum be filled to the brim with everyone pissed off at him than it be completely empty and having nobody that cares.