The Recipe for Success: How the Kansas State Wildcats are Winning Big
When From Downtown published our Big 12 rankings during the preseason, we ranked Kansas State as the 9th best (2nd worst) team in the Big 12, and this was bold. At the time, Kansas State projected to be easily the worst team in the Big 12 according to analysts and KenPom. Considering putting them just a single spot above last place was a proverbial “hot take,” the now 14-1 Kansas State Wildcats are obliterating their preseason expectations. What is the recipe for Kansas State’s shocking success so far? From Downtown has curated the 2 main ingredientsin Kansas State’s incredible season so far!
1) Individual Excellence from Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell
Kansas State entered the 22-23 season with just 2 ranked freshmen on the squad. Although this is a far cry from the recruiting class a Power 5 team would like to enter the season with, it gave the Wildcats’ upperclassmen an opportunity to grow into their leadership roles. Keyontae Johnson’s return to prominence is an incredible story. Johnson was an unbelievable player for the Florida Gators, but had a horrific collapse on 12-12-20 that nearly cost him his life. His miraculous recovery not only has him back on the court, but putting up significant numbers for a strong Kansas State team. Johnson averages 18.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. These are tremendous numbers. A surprising standout is 5th year senior Markquis Nowell. The former Little Rock guard passes the ball with incredible skill, averaging 8.5 assists (the 2nd best assist rate in the nation, only behind Saint Louis’ Yuri Collins). In a 2-game stretch (the Wildcats’ 2 big wins against Texas and Baylor), Nowell recorded 65+ points and 20+ assists. These numbers have only been replicated by 2 players in the last 10 years, and they are NBA superstars Trae Young and Ja Morant (stat courtesy of analyst Jared Berson). So long as these two studs continue their excellence, Kansas State can continue to expect strong season results.
2) Head Coach Jerome Tang
The longtime Baylor assistant recently surpassed his teacher in Scott Drew with the overtime win against the Bears, and he could not have done it without performing at a high level. Fortunately for K State fans, Jerome Tang has been doing that all season. Tang is all about overcoming adversity, and it shows in his recent victories. 2 of Kansas State’s 3 conference victories came by way of overtime, and the Wildcats actually notched a 3rd overtime win against Nevada in November. A 3-0 overtime record indicates a team with strong mental fortitude, and that poise rings true with how Kansas State clinched the win against Baylor. This mental fortitude also lends itself towards K State’s strong discipline. This team does not turn the ball over often, turning it over just 6 times against Baylor despite extra time. More importantly, they shoot free throws with unbelievable efficiency. In their last 2 games, they shot 31-33 against Texas, and 18-21 against Baylor. Tang is keeping the Wildcats focused on basketball, and then allowing them to express that focus in unique ways. This explains Nowell’s gift for assisting, Johnson’s return to prominence, and Ismael “Ish” Massoud’s poise coming off the bench. Tang is making his case as the best head coaching hire of the 2022 carousel, and it is a big reason for Kansas State’s success thus far.
