Normally, Kansas State coach Jerome Tang is very optimistic and speaks very highly of his players, win or loss.
But when you get crushed by a team you were heavily favored to beat, frustration is justifiable. Tang unleashed on his team's effort after falling to Bowling Green Monday night.
"We didn’t play hard enough, we didn’t deserve to win, we didn’t deserve to wear a K-State uniform tonight," Tang said in his postgame press conference. "If I could’ve walked out, I would've walked out a lot earlier. I would've left with some of the fans. We've got fans freezing outside, doing all the things they're doing, and that's the effort that we give? And that's on me, I’ll take that. I don’t deserve it, but I’ll take it."
The Wildcats were pretty much dominated on the offensive front, with star guard PJ Haggerty going cold until midway through the second quarter. Kansas State's offensive display has dwindled with every loss, raising early concerns about a supposed Tournament team. Tang is increasingly growing frustrated, as this is far from the mark of a competitive unit.
"This is so disappointing, just because we had three really good days of preparation," Tang said. "I thought the game plan, the scout, and everything we said they were gonna do, they did. You spend time preparing, you do the walk-throughs, you do the practices, and all those things to take away what they want. And they still did what they wanted. That boils down to a focus-and-effort thing. There's no Xs and Os for that, there’s no sub for it."
Kansas State was outplayed offensively, failing to capitalize on rebounds and second-chance scoring opportunities.
"Well, I didn't see toughness," Tang said. "That wasn't toughness. It's just not who I am, and it's not what our staff is. We're gonna figure this out."
Boy, that's going to be a tough locker room over the next few days.
But honestly, that's what it needs. In a loaded conference with heightened expectations this season, three consecutive demoralizing losses are exactly what Kansas State does not need at the moment.
The Wildcats play Seton Hall (7-1) on Saturday afternoon.