K-State's Tang rips players: 'They don't deserve to be here'

Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang didn't pull any punches when assessing his team's performance in Wednesday's 91-62 home loss to Cincinnati.

"This was embarrassing," Tang told reporters, including The Topeka Capital-Journal's Wyatt D. Wheeler. "These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform, and there will be very few of them in it next year. I'm embarrassed for the university, I'm embarrassed for our fans and our student section. It's just ridiculous."

Cincinnati (13-12, 5-7 in Big 12) drained 16 threes in the victory, the second most that the Wildcats have conceded in program history. On one instance, Kansas State failed to box out on a missed free throw that resulted in a dunk for the visitors, a moment that angered Tang.

"We have practice at 6 a.m. tomorrow," Tang said. "I have no answers or no words. Y'all got two questions, so whoever wants to ask two questions, I'll answer 'em to the best of my ability right now. But right now, I'm pissed."

The Wildcats are now 10-14 on the season and 1-10 in the Big 12, tied for last in the conference with Utah. The defeat marked their third straight home loss by at least 24 points, something Tang is painfully aware of.

"None of that crap matters, man," he said. "These dudes have to have some pride, man. It means something to wear a K-State uniform. It means something to put on this purple, man. Our university's all about that, and it's why I love this place, man. They don't love this place, so they don't deserve to be here."

Tang is in his fourth season at the helm. He's led the team to a 71-56 record and a spot in the Elite Eight in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. This season could be the first time that he amasses a sub-.500 record with the program.

Several Kansas State fans in attendance Wednesday wore paper bags over their heads in protest of the team's poor campaign.

"I'd wear a paper bag, too, if I was them," Tang added before exiting the press conference.