Kansas State coach Jerome Tang is good at making the basketball program a hot conversation topic, positive or negative. His recent comments regarding a annual series with in-state rival Wichita State may have drawn the latter.

Tang compared the K-State/Wichita State rivalry to the Big 12/Big East Battle, of which he is not a fan. He would rather have complete control over his team’s non-conference schedule on a yearly basis than play a matchup concocted by conference officials.

I can’t go on my phone without people wishing the worst for me,” said a K-State player. “Not just for me, but for our team. And it devastates me.”

Kansas State's meltdown loss to the Stockers can be attributed to many on the team. But it was coach Jerome Tang who was the center of the criticism Saturday night. This is the second time in the last three games where the Wildcats were outdone dramatically in the second half.