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Kansas State Coach Blames NCAA for Team's Struggles
Head coach Jerome Tang says constantly changing rules make roster building nearly impossible
Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:31am
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Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang didn't hold back following his team's latest loss, placing much of the Wildcats' recent struggles at the feet of the NCAA and what he described as constantly shifting rules that make roster building nearly impossible. Tang stressed that missing players due to the changing regulations are separate from injuries, suggesting Kansas State has been caught in limbo while other programs benefit from legal gray areas.
Why it matters
Tang's comments come amid widespread controversy over the NCAA's handling of eligibility rules, with the Alabama Crimson Tide recently allowed to bring back a player who had previously departed for the NBA. This has sparked debate over judicial involvement and eligibility loopholes in college basketball.
The details
Speaking after Kansas State's five-point loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers, Tang said his responsibility as the program's 'CEO' is to build a sustainable, competitive roster, but that has been undermined by an ever-changing regulatory landscape. 'I ain't figured that out yet, because they keep changing the rules on me,' Tang said. 'There are three guys that should be on my roster right now that are not on my roster because the rules change.'
- Kansas State currently sits at 10-11 overall and 1-7 in Big 12 play, firmly at the bottom of the conference after losing two straight games.
The players
Jerome Tang
The head coach of the Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball team.
P.J. Haggerty
A junior guard for the Kansas State Wildcats, averaging 23.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
Abdi Bashir Jr.
A player for the Kansas State Wildcats, providing secondary scoring at 13.2 points per contest.
Charles Bediako
A center for the Alabama Crimson Tide who was allowed to return to Tuscaloosa after previously departing for the NBA, sparking controversy over eligibility loopholes.
What they’re saying
“I ain't figured that out yet, because they keep changing the rules on me. There are three guys that should be on my roster right now that are not on my roster because the rules change.”
— Jerome Tang, Head Coach, Kansas State Wildcats
“If we can bring G-League players, I want to do it. If they're going to allow it, let's all do it. Or stop everybody from doing it. Just give me some consistent rules, and we'll get it done.”
— Jerome Tang, Head Coach, Kansas State Wildcats
What’s next
A massive test awaits Sunday as Kansas State takes on the Iowa State Cyclones at Bramlage Coliseum, with the Wildcats hoping to spark a turnaround in their season.
The takeaway
Tang's frustration highlights the broader issues facing college basketball, with the NCAA's constantly shifting rules creating instability for programs like Kansas State and sparking debate over eligibility loopholes and judicial involvement in the sport.
