Kansas State basketball thrives by getting back to basics against Oklahoma State

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MANHATTAN — Sometimes the answer is simple.

In the case of Kansas State’s basketball team, it turned out to be simplicity itself.

“I think we’ve simplified our game and what we want to do and how we want to attack, and that’s made it easier for our new group of guys,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said after watching his Wildcats cruise to a lopsided 85-57 victory over Oklahoma State on Wednesday night at Bramlage Coliseum.

It was the Wildcats’ second straight commanding victory at home for the Wildcats, who improved to 9-11 overall and 3-6 in the Big 12. On Saturday they ended a six-game losing streak by knocking off West Virginia, 73-60.

Super-senior forward Coleman Hawkins agreed that simpler has been better of late for the Wildcats, who have trended upward ever since a 30-point blowout loss to Houston on Jan. 11. The back-to-back victories represent the team’s first winning streak since the beginning of December.

Related: Kansas State basketball vs Oklahoma State: Score prediction, scouting report for Big 12 rematch

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Kansas State guard Max Jones (2) drives to the basket between Oklahoma State’s Khalil Brantley and Connor Dow (13) during their game Wednesday night at Bramlage Coliseum.

“I think we’ve improved a lot,” said Hawkins, who turned in another impressive all-around effort with 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and three steals. “I think we’ve made things a little bit more simple. We still have a lot to work on, but I think it’s kind of night and day from when we started.

“We’ just kind of simplified things, spoke on things that we felt like can be more effective, maybe things we need to get rid of. We’ve been clicking well, and it’s been locked in.”

Tang credited his players for helping him and his staff see the light when it came to trimming the fat.

“There was a common theme as I met with individual players to see where we were at and where they felt we…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kansas-state-basketball-thrives-getting-142549034.html

Author : The Topeka Capital-Journal

Publish date : 2025-01-30 14:25:00

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