From The Couch – Jerome Tang Speaks To The Press/Football And Basketball Recruiting Update
K-State basketball workouts ended this week and the players and staff are going on a much-needed two week vacation. Jerome Tang spoke to the press before heading to Cabo.
In other news, the buzz around K-State recruiting hasn’t subsided at all. Here’s the latest….
“I can’t predict what we are capable of. However, I know that we are going to play extremely hard, and we are going to play together. And we are going to be fun to watch.”…Jerome Tang, August 4th, 2022
JM: That’s an honest assessment from the head coach. It’s going to be fascinating following K-State basketball this season.
“Everything that we do is very intentional and very important. Everyone preaches family and a family does a lot of things together. If the only time we spent together is in the gym, then we are not a family. I want the guys to feel comfortable around me and the entire staff and for them to see that we love them and care about them. When you are able to spend time with them and show your heart to them off the court, you earn the right to hold them accountable on the court. They will never question whether we love them. That will never be a question. Sometimes you have to give the message in different ways. The only way you can learn the best way to communicate with your guys is by spending time with them. That’s very important to our staff. This how I have always wanted to be (as a head coach). Dinners at my house, dinners at the coaches’ house, games, playing really, really hard, working really, really hard and everyone understanding we are all in this together.”…Jerome Tang, August 4th, 2022
JM: Among the videos posted to social media sites this week by K-State Sports and the coaching staff were a game of dodge ball between the coaching staff and players and a large water balloon fight on the hill outside of Bramlage Coliseum. You sure wouldn’t see the previous coaching staff doing something like this, although it might have been fun to see Bruce Weber take a dodge ball to the noggin.
“Taj Manning has been the biggest surprise. He is an extremely hard worker and that has really stood out. His competitiveness and toughness have stood out, and because he has spent so much time in the gym, his shot making ability is really growing. In fact, he hit the game-winner in the last game we played today. He rose up and knocked it down like a champ. Very, very proud of him.”…Jerome Tang, August 4th, 2022
JM: It is very interesting that the one player recruited by the previous coaching staff was the first one to get a shout-out by Tang. I’m looking forward to seeing what Taj Manning can do.
“For Ish (Massoud), it’s working. He thought he was a hard worker until I started laying out things for him to do. He thanked me the other day. He said ‘Coach, I thought I was a hard worker until you showed me how I needed to work.’ He was thankful for the push and for believing in him.”…Jerome Tang, August 4th, 2022
JM: This is an indictment on the previous coaching staff, plain and simple.
“Man, he (Nae’Qwan Tomlin) is competitive. He doesn’t know how good he can be. He is super competitive and really talented. I look forward to fanning his confidence, so he feels like the best player in America because he’s got the kind of a talent.”…Jerome Tang, August 4th, 2022
JM: This is very high praise for the Juco transfer. Is it hyperbole? Guess we’ll find out.
“No, not yet. I think when we finish assembling the roster I will know better. I know that we are going to guard you and we are going to rebound. Other than that, I’m not sure. If you are talking about the offensive end of things, I’m not really sure right now. But we are going to defend.”…Jerome Tang, August 4th, 2022
JM: This answer was a response to a question asking if Tang knows what style he wants to play. If the Wildcats play defense and rebound they’ll win some games, but someone is going to have to step up and score.
“I absolutely love Coach Klieman. He is really good friends with (former Baylor football coach and current Carolina Panthers head coach) Coach (Matt) Rhule and I’m a really big fan of Matt Rhule. I have been to a lot of his practices. Coach Klieman invited to come to practice any time. I’m a big college football fan, so I was happy to be able to go to practice (today). Coach has really been great about telling me anything I might need to hear.”…Jerome Tang, August 4th, 2022
JM: Klieman and Tang working together can only lead to great things for K-State. I think we’ve got a couple of great coaches leading the football and basketball programs.
JM: It looks like it’s down to Missouri, K-State, and Ole Miss for Macaleab Rich. He has official visits lined up with Ole Miss and K-State….
JM: Rich is from East St. Louis. He is rated as the number 37 small forward in the nation and the 5th best player in the state of Illinois.
JM: Four-star class of 2023 guard RJ Jones is going to announce his commitment today. He is expected to choose K-State.
JM: It looks like Florida transfer Keyontae Johnson is going to commit to K-State soon as well.
JM: Sigh. I told everyone in denial that Edwards getting an offer from and visiting Notre Dame was a big deal. They stole him away from K-State. I harbor no ill will towards Edwards. I wish him the best.
JM: One thing I’ve learned following recruiting is to pay attention to the size of offensive and defensive line recruits. Tomaszewski is 6’4″, 275 lbs., which is very good for a defensive line recruit. And he’s got a great “football” last name.
We are four weeks away from kickoff against South Dakota on September 3rd. I can’t wait to see the football Wildcats in action.
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