baylor basketball: Kansas State's midseason shake-up greets Waco visitor in Bramlage
Jerome Tang has been removed as head coach of Kansas State men's basketball and longtime assistant Matt Driscoll steps in as interim for the stretch run. The Wildcats (10-15, 1-11) host Baylor (13-12, 3-9) tonight in a matchup that promises more narrative than postseason relevance — tipoff is scheduled for 9: 05 p. m. ET at Bramlage Coliseum.
Coaching shake-up shifts K-State dynamic
The decision to replace Tang thrust Driscoll into a pivotal role with six regular-season games left and the Big 12 Tournament looming. Driscoll, who spent time on staff with the Bears early in his career and later led a mid-major program for years, had been credited with running the Wildcats' offense this season. That suggests continuity in play-calling but not necessarily a quick fix for deeper issues.
Kansas State’s problems have been systemic: inconsistent defense, weak rebounding and an inability to close on the glass. Those tendencies are roster-driven and unlikely to shift drastically over the final weeks. Still, a coaching change can provide an emotional jolt — bench players could see expanded roles and the team may play with short-term urgency. Expect the tone of the locker room and rotation choices to be the primary immediate differences rather than wholesale schematic overhauls.
Matchup keys and what to watch
Baylor arrives having underperformed relative to expectations; the Bears sit two games under. 500 in conference play and are chasing the program’s standards. For the visitors, guard play and perimeter shooting will determine whether they control tempo or engage in a messy, physical fight. If Baylor can impose its size and convert second-chance opportunities, Kansas State’s uphill battle becomes steeper.
For the Wildcats, ball security and defensive rebounding are paramount. Turnovers have handed opponents extra possessions this season, and without consistent defensive stops Kansas State will struggle to keep the game within reach. Matt Driscoll’s immediate decisions on rotations — who closes quarters, who takes late-game shots — will be under intense scrutiny. Players who respond to the interim coach’s message could become catalysts for a late-season spark.
Individual matchups to monitor: which team wins the paint battles, which backcourt can handle pressure, and who steps up from the bench to swing momentum. Both squads have shown the ability to be streaky; a cold shooting night by either side could turn this into a low-possession slog decided at the free-throw line.
What’s at stake
Neither team arrives with realistic hopes for deep postseason success this season, but the stakes are real in other ways. For Baylor, stabilizing the program and restoring confidence matters for recruiting and for the veteran coach’s long-term standing. For Kansas State, the remainder of the season serves as both an audition and a reset: players can showcase buy-in to the new interim coach and make cases for future roles, while the staff evaluates who might fit a longer-term vision.
Beyond records, tonight is about momentum and reputation. A disciplined performance by Kansas State under Driscoll could quiet the immediate fallout of the coaching change. Conversely, a win for Baylor would be a step toward salvaging a season that has fallen short of expectations.
Whichever side prevails, the game will offer a clearer read on how much a midseason coaching change can alter the course of an already difficult campaign and whether Baylor’s struggles are temporary or symptomatic of deeper issues.
