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BOULDER, CO — Even after the dismissal of Jerome Tang, Kansas State basketball continues to publicly recognize his influence. Following the Wildcats’ 79-70 road loss to Colorado at the CU Events Center on Feb. 25, interim head coach Matthew Driscoll once again made it clear that Tang’s impact on the team remains strong.
The defeat marked Kansas State’s third game since Tang was fired for cause on Feb. 15. Tang has since hired legal representation and is contesting that decision, seeking his reported $18.675 million buyout.
Despite the coaching change, Driscoll has repeatedly mentioned Tang in postgame discussions, highlighting both his character and his contributions to the team.
Wildcats Show Resilience Amid Turbulence
Kansas State struggled offensively during the matchup against Colorado, enduring two separate scoring droughts of more than five minutes each. However, the Wildcats displayed resilience by trimming a 22-point deficit down to just three points with 2:13 remaining after a three-pointer from Andrej Kostic.
When asked about the team’s scoring lapses, Driscoll shifted the focus toward the players’ perseverance.
He pointed to the past 10 days as evidence of the team’s strength, referencing their earlier loss to Houston and the events that followed Tang’s departure. Driscoll described Tang as a “genuine good human being” and noted the way Tang handled the transition period when the coaching change took place.
Kansas State lost to Houston by 14 points, and Tang was dismissed the following day.
Emotional Win Over Baylor
Just two days after Tang’s firing, the Wildcats responded with what many considered their most impressive performance of the season — a 90-74 victory over Baylor.
Driscoll, who serves as the godfather to Tang’s daughter, made it clear he did not seek the interim position and found no joy in taking over under such difficult circumstances. During his postgame radio interview following the Baylor win, Driscoll became emotional and credited Tang for inspiring the team’s effort.
The victory demonstrated the Wildcats’ determination and unity despite internal challenges.
Road Struggles Continue
Kansas State’s momentum did not carry forward. On Feb. 21, the Wildcats traveled to face Texas Tech, where they suffered a 100-72 loss and were never truly competitive.
Before that matchup, Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland reached out to Driscoll with encouraging words. Driscoll previously worked at Baylor under Scott Drew from 2003 to 2009, while McCasland was part of the Baylor staff from 2011 to 2016.
The shared Baylor connection added emotional context to the week’s events.
Driscoll described it as a difficult time for the “Baylor family,” acknowledging McCasland’s support and praising his kindness toward the Kansas State staff — some of whom previously worked alongside him.
Colorado Loss Drops Wildcats to 11-17
The nine-point loss to Colorado dropped Kansas State to 11-17 overall and 2-13 in Big 12 play.
Despite another late push, the Wildcats were unable to score after Kostic’s three-pointer that brought them within three points. Colorado maintained control in the closing moments to secure the win.
PJ Haggerty, who scored 25 points, emphasized that the team continues to compete in part because of their respect for Tang. He echoed similar sentiments after the Baylor victory, indicating that the players are motivated to finish the season strong for their former coach.
Season Outlook
Kansas State has four guaranteed games remaining, beginning with a Feb. 28 home matchup against TCU.
With the season nearing its conclusion, it has become clear that the Wildcats will continue to honor and acknowledge Jerome Tang’s influence until the final buzzer of the year.
The ongoing support for Jerome Tang highlights the deep relationships within Kansas State basketball. Even amid legal disputes and disappointing results, the Wildcats have demonstrated unity and resilience.
Interim coach Matthew Driscoll has consistently reinforced the positive influence Tang had on the program, while players like PJ Haggerty continue to compete with pride.
As the Wildcats prepare for their final games, their focus remains on effort, loyalty, and finishing the season with dignity despite a challenging 11-17 campaign.