‘We’ve got to reset’: Can Kansas State basketball refocus on Wichita State after Drake loss?

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WICHITA — Lost in the disappointment of Kansas State basketball’s overtime loss to Drake on Tuesday was what coach Jerome Tang would like to think was a turning point for the Wildcats.

Dropping a 73-70 decision on a late 3-pointer was tough to swallow, but instead of dwelling on the heartbreak, Tang focused on the Wildcats’ heart in a 20-point comeback that came up one play short.

“So proud of our guys’ effort, their fight, their togetherness, their buy-in, all the things that we’ve been stressing and pushing and fighting for,” said Tang, whose Wildcats (6-4) play their final nonconference game at 6 p.m. Saturday at Wichita State (8-3). “Those guys came through and they gave a great effort that was good enough to get us the win.

“But we have to do a better job as a staff and help them in those situations there. I should have done a better job at the end of regulation, and I definitely should have done a better job at the end of overtime to set our defense and help our guys in those situations.”

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Related: Kansas State basketball vs Drake: Score prediction, scouting report for Tuesday’s game

Kansas State forward David N’Guessan (1) goes up for a shot against Drake’s Cam Manyawu (3) and Daniel Abreu (54) during their game Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City, Mo.

The Wildcats had a chance to win in regulation, but missed on a Brendan Hausen 3-point attempt at the buzzer. They then came back from five points down in overtime to tie it on a Coleman Hawkins’ 3-pointer, only to have Drake’s Bennett Stirtz answer with three seconds left for the win.

But it was the Wildcats’ effort after spotting Drake a 29-9 advantage with less than six minutes left in the first half that gave Tang and his team hope for the future. Like K-State, the Shockers have dropped their last two games, falling 91-72 at DePaul one week ago and then losing at home to UMKC on Tuesday, 74-64.

“I’m really proud of…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/weve-got-reset-kansas-state-142446418.html

Author : The Topeka Capital-Journal

Publish date : 2024-12-20 14:24:00

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