Kansas State's loss to TCU marked a new low for the program. Instead of just a plain blowout, the Wildcats gave up a nearly 20-point lead and blew a sure-fire victory in the final seconds with terrible execution. The Horned Frogs led for a total of seven seconds all game...the final seven of Saturday afternoon.
Thankfully, Wildcats forward Marcus Johnson's performance wasn't in vain. In fact, it's still getting recognition even after their ninth Big 12 loss this year. College Ball Mixtapes, an Instagram account highlighting the nation's top players and basketball plays, highlighted Johnson's performance in the loss to the Horned Frogs.
Johnson had 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range, nailing four in the first half to help Kansas State build its early lead.
"K-State senior Marcus Johnson was an immediate spark off the bench vs TCU, drilling three consecutive 3-pointers in just his first four minutes," the caption wrote. "In 19 minutes off the bench, he had 15 PTS on 5-6 from deep. The Bowling Green transfer saw his most minutes of the season and recorded a new season-high, despite a loss in the close two-point deficit game."
Johnson was pretty much the star of the game until PJ Haggerty took over with his eventual 30-point performance. He helped set the early tone for the Wildcats' perimeter shooting. Had he not fouled early and had minutes taken away, Johnson likely would have dominated even further.
The former Bowling Green star scored just five points this season up until that point, as it hasn't been the greatest start for him in the Big 12 thus far.
But he got his opportunity, and now he can be utilized more often. Paired with Khamari McGriff in the frontcourt, Johnson could help bring scoring as Kansas State continues wailing with its injury bug. Wildcats coach Jerome Tang celebrated Johnson's performance and acknowledged the potential for heightened pressure after revealing his ability.
"Now there's going to be a scouting report on him, so people are going to adjust," Tang said in his TCU postgame interview. "I thought when they went to switching at the end of the first half, we got stagnant. We just tried to pick on the switch and leave a big at the rim. Then they clogged the lane, and we didn't handle that well. It's gonna give us the opportunity to get better at some things there."
Kansas State hosts Cincinnati (12-12, 4-7 in Big 12) on Wednesday night.