Tang Rips K-State for 'Embarrassing' Loss, Players 'Do Not Deserve to Wear This Uniform'

The frustration of a disappointing season for Kansas State men's basketball boiled over on Wednesday night when head coach Jerome Tang ripped his team following a 91-62 loss to Cincinnati.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Tang said his players "do not deserve to wear this uniform" and that many of them probably won't be with the Wildcats next season:

"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 and our student section. It is just ridiculous. It means something to wear a K-State uniform. It means something to put on this purple, and everything this university is about and why I love this place. They don't love this place, so they don't deserve to be here."

Even though the game was played at Bramlage Coliseum, several Wildcats fans in the stands were seen wearing paper bags over their heads.

"I'd wear a paper bag, too, if I was them," Tang said at his presser.

The loss dropped Kansas State to 1-10 in Big 12 play, tied with Utah for the worst record in the conference. Tang's group has also lost five consecutive games dating back to Jan. 24.

Three of the Wildcats' losses during this streak have been by at least 24 points. Their lone victory in conference play was against Utah on Jan. 20.

This season has continued a downward trend for the program. Tang's tenure at Kansas State started on a high note with 26 wins and an appearance in the Elite Eight during the 2022-23 season.

Kansas State's win total has decreased every year since, with this team on pace for the program's worst season by win percentage since 2020-21 (9-20).

Since joining the Big 12 in 1996, the Wildcats' fewest conference wins in a season is two in 1999-2000 (2-14). They have seven more games remaining in the regular season to win at least one more game to tie that mark.

Things won't get easier for Tang or Kansas State with No. 3 Houston up next on Saturday. Houston has won the last two regular-season meetings between these teams by an average of 26 points per game.