Kansas State coach Jerome Tang erupts after 29-point loss as fans wear paper bags

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State coach Jerome Tang blasted his players after Cincinnati beat the Wildcats by 29 points Wednesday on a night many fans showed up with bags on their heads.

The Wildcats dropped to 10-14 with the 91-62 loss, including 1-10 in the Big 12 Conference.

“This was embarrassing,” Tang said. “These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few of them in it next year. I’m embarrassed for the university, I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is just ridiculous. We’ve got practice at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning, and we will get this thing right. I have no answer and no words.”

He then said he would take only two questions from the media, adding, “Right now, I’m like pissed.”

Kansas State went 26-10 in Tang’s first season and came a three-point loss to Florida Atlantic from making the 2023 Final Four. His record since then is 45-46.

The Wildcats have lost three home games in a row by at least 20 points, a big reason fans showed up with paper bags on their heads.

“I’d wear a paper, too, if I were them,” Tang said.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Kansas State coach Jerome Tang erupts after 29-point loss as fans wear paper bags | iNFOnews.ca
Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang sits in a huddle during a timeout in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Nick Krug)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.