MANHATTAN — Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang unloaded on his team's effort after the Wildcats' 91-62 loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Bramlage Coliseum.
Shortly after giving a 20-second interview for the Kansas State radio broadcast, in which he said he was embarrassed and didn't take any questions, Tang gave an angry opening statement before only taking two questions from the media.
"This was embarrassing," Tang said. "These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform, and there will be very few of them in it next year. I'm embarrassed for the university, I'm embarrassed for our fans, and our student section. It's just ridiculous."
The Wildcats (10-14, 1-10 Big 12) lost their third consecutive home game by 24 or more points. It was their fifth consecutive loss in a game that was non-competitive from the jump.
Cincinnati (13-12, 5-7 Big 12) made 16 three-pointers, the second-most ever against a K-State program. A lack of effort led to open looks from deep, and at one point, the Wildcats didn't box out on a free-throw attempt, allowing the Cincy shooter to get the board and throw down a dunk.
It all came while about 20 Kansas State students wore paper bags over their heads with messages pleading for someone to buy Tang out. Fans booed the Wildcats during a first-half timeout when they were down by 22 at the under-eight timeout.
"We have practice at 6 a.m. tomorrow," Tang said. "I have no answers or no words. Y'all got two questions, so whoever wants to ask two questions, I'll answer 'em to the best of my ability right now. But right now, I'm pissed."
Tang was asked about Kansas State's inability to play hard at home, when the Wildcats have given good efforts on the road. Over the last three road games, K-State has lost by a combined eight points. Over the last three home games, it's lost by a combined 87.
Tang said he asked his staff the same thing.
"None of that crap matters, man," Tang said. "These dudes have to have some pride, man. It means something to wear a K-State uniform. It means something to put on this purple, man. Our university's all about that, and it's why I love this place, man. They don't love this place, so they don't deserve to be here."
The second question was about the paper bags and the booing.
"I'd wear a paper bag, too, if I was them," Tang said as he got up and walked away.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State coach Jerome Tang blasts team after 'embarrassing' loss