Jerome Tang explains why K-State isn’t interested in NIT, Las Vegas postseason events
Jerome Tang spoke like a coach who was ready for Kansas State’s basketball season to be over after the Wildcats bowed out of the Big 12 Tournament with a 70-56 loss against Baylor on Wednesday at T-Mobile Center.
Even though K-State is well-positioned to receive an invitation to the NIT or the new College Basketball Crown postseason tournament in Las Vegas, Tang is not interested in playing in either of them.
He explained his reasoning in an exclusive interview after the Wildcats concluded their season with an overall record of 16-17, saying that it won’t be possible to convince seniors like Coleman Hawkins and David N’Guessan to continue playing now that their NCAA Tournament dreams have been dashed.
He also thinks his time will be put to better use in March by focusing on the transfer portal and building a roster for next season rather than trying to win a consolation tournament.
“I don’t think Coleman and David are going to want to play in The Crown,” Tang said. “It is also after the portal opens, and that’s just bad timing. You have got to have a team to be able to do it. So I don’t see that happening.”
Speculation ramped up this week that K-State would play in the College Basketball Crown when Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark touted its importance during a news conference in Kansas City.
The 16-team tournament will begin on March 31 in Las Vegas with every game being televised on the FOX family of networks. The top two Big 12 teams that miss out on the NCAA Tournament will earn automatic berths into the event. K-State is a prime candidate to be included in that duo. So the Wildcats could continue playing if they wanted to do so.
Players shared mixed opinions on that possibility.
“I love basketball, no matter where I’m at,” K-State point guard Dug McDaniel said. “I just love to play basketball. So if I get a chance to still play, I’m all in.”
“I haven’t really thought any further than right now,” K-State guard Brendan Hausen said. “I’m just worried about being here for my teammates and collecting my thoughts and emotions right now. That will be something that we’ll have to get together and talk about.”
Turns out, there is nothing to talk about.
The Wildcats are on to next season.
This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 9:53 PM with the headline "Jerome Tang explains why K-State isn’t interested in NIT, Las Vegas postseason events."