Kansas State aims to return to NCAA Tournament after just missing out in Jerome Tang’s second season

Kansas State (19-15, 8-10 Big 12)

The Wildcats took a step back after Jerome Tang led them on an unexpected Elite Eight run in his debut season, missing the NCAA Tournament last year as one of the last teams on the bubble. They wound up losing to Iowa in the first round of the NIT, and Tang immediately began to rebuild his roster around a handful of high-end transfers.

The biggest was Coleman Hawkins, who transferred from Illinois and reportedly got a seven-figures name, image and likeness deal. Michigan’s Dug McDaniel should replace the departed Tylor Perry at the point, while Achor Achor (Samford) and Max Jones (Cal State Fullerton) were mid-major scoring machines last season.

The Wildcast struggled mightily in the paint last season, and they hope two still-raw transfers can help. Seven-footer Ugonna Onyenso came from Kentucky and 6-11 center Baye Fall — a former McDonald’s All-American — arrived from Arkansas.

Players to watch

David N’Guessan (senior, 6-9, 7.8 ppg) returned for a fifth season and provides some experience and versatility for a team that will rely so heavily on transfers and need to come together quickly.

Hawkins (senior, 6-10, 12.1 ppg at Illinois) spent four seasons with the Illini, helping them win the Big Ten tourney last year and make a run to the regional finals of the NCAA Tournament, losing to eventual champion UConn.

McDaniel (junior, 5-10, 16.3 ppg at Michigan) is an ideal fit for Kansas State’s offense. He can score in bunches, twice going for 33 in a game last season, but also distribute the ball, piling up eight assists in two different games.

Departures and arrivals

Arthur Kaluma took his 14.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game to Texas, leaving a big void in the Kansas State lineup. Veteran guard Cam Carter (LSU), Dai Dai Ames (Virginia), Jerrell Colbert (SMU) and RJ Jones (TCU) also moved on.

Top games

Kansas State will be part of the Paradise Jam along with playing LSU, St. John’s, Drake and Wichita State in what is a relatively weak nonconference schedule. The Wildcats will hope to pile up wins before jumping into Big 12 play, where the league’s loaded nature this year should help in building their strength of schedule.

Facts and figures

Achor Achor was the Southern Conference tourney MVP last season, leading Samford to the title and the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He had 23 points and eight rebounds in the Bulldogs’ loss to Kansas. … Jones has played some his best games against power-conference opponents, dropping 30 points on Nebraska last season. … Kansas State plays its first four games at home and does not play a true road game until the Red Storm on Dec. 7.

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