30 January 2024
MANHATTAN (KSNT) – It has been a week of drama on and off the court for K-State men’s basketball.
The Wildcats picked up two road losses against ranked teams, but notoriety towards the program has stemmed from comments away from gameplay.
On Saturday, Iowa State head coach TJ Otzelberger shared strong remarks after the KC Star reported that K-State accused the Cyclones of filming the Wildcats’ huddle. Otzelberger called the claim “ludicrous” and claimed a K-State staffer “cursed out” an Iowa State student manager.
During a press conference Monday, Tang chose not to respond to Otzelberger’s remarks.
Tang did, however, apologize for a statement directed towards the officials after K-State’s 74-52 loss at No. 4 Houston over the weekend. After the game, Tang talked about how referee Gary Maxwell treated Tang and one of his players. Maxwell has officiated three of K-State’s last four contests.
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“I got a tech for waving my hands [in the Iowa State] game, and so I didn’t wave my hand this game, and then I got a tech for telling Gary (Maxwell) that he was the adult and he needed to act like it,” Tang said in Saturday’s postgame press conference after the loss to Houston. “Because he was chirping with one of my players, and I’m always going to defend my guys… [If] my guys are wrong – I’m going to correct them… What [offical] Gary Maxwell did and said to my player was not warranted, and all I told him was he’s better than that as a person, and he’s the adult, and I got a tech for that. I don’t get it.”
Tang continued to explain.
“(Maxwell) told Cam Carter that if he wasn’t quiet, he would get him out of the game, and then proceeded to call two tic-tac fouls on him,” Tang said. “You’re the adult here, right? We can tuck our egos away and say let the kids play the game.”
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On Monday, Tang opened his afternoon press conference with an apology statement, ending it by saying he wouldn’t be taking any questions on the matter.
“After the Houston game, in the press conference, I made some comments about officiating,” Tang said. “There are channels that the Big 12 provides that if I have an issue that I can follow and go through, and I did not follow the proper protocol. And for that, I apologize.”
Tang continued his apology to those outside of the officials.
“I want to apologize to (Big 12 Commissioner) Brett Yormark, (Big 12 Vice President of men’s basketball) John Williams and the Big 12, if I had said, did anything that would dim the light on what is the best basketball conference in America,” Tang said.
Tang apologized to the fanbase later.
“I do want to apologize to President (Richard) Linton and to (Athletic Director) Gene Taylor and the K-State family, if I did anything to dim the light on what is a terrific university and just a wonderful fanbase and family.”
“So, I will make sure that I follow the protocol moving forward. I’m very thankful for the opportunity I have to Guardian this program,” Tang said.
K-State has a 14-6 record, 4-3 in the Big 12. The Wildcats host No. 23 Oklahoma on Tuesday, Jan. 30.