Kansas State basketball fans probably want to avoid all the negative talk around their team, especially after losing so much of their star power to the transfer portal.
But unfortunately, it's about everywhere you look, including the latest CBS Sports CBB article. The team isn't even mentioned, but its former superstar is being lauded in his new home. The major news outlet talked about PJ Haggerty's addition to Texas A&M as one of the biggest positives for any team next season.
"If it clicks into place, Texas A&M has an elite paint-touch guard in PJ Haggerty under a coaching staff that annually ranks near the top of the charts in paint points," the article wrote.
Last season, Haggerty averaged 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, headlining the Wildcats as the primary offensive weapon. Abdi Bashir Jr.'s injury, paired with Nate Johnson and David Castillo's stagnation, left Haggerty pretty much on an island most of the season. Kansas State could do nothing in the conference slate, as the star guard was going toe-to-toe with the conference's best with little offensive help. Now, he's on an Aggies team that has playmakers around him for the 2026-27 campaign.
"The offensive talent on this roster is just better," the article wrote. "Can McMillan get this group to defend at the level he wants? It's taxing to play Bucky Ball, but the pain of pressing is well worth the reward. Texas A&M is going to be a factor in this daunting league."
Of course, Haggerty had his flaws as well. He failed to get into rhythm until the second half of many games and was very prone to turnovers or quick foul trouble. Still, you can't have too many complaints when you possess the country's third-leading scorer throughout the regular season.
And when you look at the current Wildcats roster, many fans would probably wish they still had a player like Haggerty. Hell, any major player from last year would've been appreciated. While there's much more belief in Casey Alexander, he was unable to bring in any star players in his first season, and there's no familiarity from Belmont or Kansas State.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
