I was wrong about Tang

Catchup said:

I was so excited to have an aggressive recruiter that had us in the conversation for real dudes. I took my dad and son to Madison Square Garden for the elite 8 and I became a real believer. I stayed optimistic until the Bowling Green game. That is when I finally accepted it was smoke and mirrors.

I was very wrong after year 1. The miss on ngongba was the first "hmmmm" moment. Seemed like the first real dude who took a deep dive, had other options, and said "nah"... its been a bit of a troll every since with dudes like AJ or the kid who went to arkansas who re release top 4s that exclude kstate once they boosted their nil deals. The year 3 preseason build of like 9 post players and yet missing on good ones like mitchell etc. highlighted what a desperate and poor and vastly overrated recruiter he was. And once he fake benched Dug and sold his soul to try and win games, it was over then. Cant recruit and build poorly, then run a program with zero accountability

Catchup said:

I was so excited to have an aggressive recruiter that had us in the conversation for real dudes. I took my dad and son to Madison Square Garden for the elite 8 and I became a real believer. I stayed optimistic until the Bowling Green game. That is when I finally accepted it was smoke and mirrors.

Same. I was optimistic. My wife and I even bought season tickets after the Elite 8 run. Canceled them for this year and after Bowling Green, I just gave up. You know, maybe there needs to be a Tang Former Believer support group...

It really was the Bowling Green game. That was such a damn disaster. You knew that this whole thing was a fraud at that point

I was pretty sure he was done once the meltdown in Hilton happened First thing that made me think twice was making sure he was front and center for FAU’s locker room celebration

purpleheadedyogurtslinger said:

It really was the Bowling Green game. That was such a damn disaster. You knew that this whole thing was a fraud at that point

I was pretty down on the team after last year and going into this season, but this game sealed that a change needed to be made immediately. It was Year 3 of wondering what type of effort we would get on a night-to-night basis and coach that had zero answers as it unfolded.

I’ve already been reminded about 4 times by friends and family how much I was all in at the beginning. I can’t argue. The last three years, only thing Tang elevated was my blood pressure.

bornploopers said:

I was pretty sure he was done once the meltdown in Hilton happened First thing that made me think twice was making sure he was front and center for FAU’s locker room celebration

That was a major red flag for me. That reeked of a guy that couldn’t win his battles on the court, so he decided to find a ghost to fight and sell it as reality. That sort of became his M.O. going forward

I was so bought in that my KSO handle is named after an assistant coach. Something that I’ll now have to live with for the rest of my life.

As an optimist to a fault, I found ways to convince myself that Tang was fixing previous season mistakes every year. I still had a high belief after season 2 that he and the staff actually got the most from that team after the Tomlin mess, even with the faults and mistakes in recruiting the portal. I bought way too much into trying to buy a team going into year 3 and obviously outside of a great run in the middle of the season that was an absolute disaster. I once again convinced myself that this year (even with flaws), a guard led roster would be different. I thought PJ and Nate Johnson would be dawgs. I thought the Euros (Kostic and Rapieque) would be good. I was wrong on most of that stuff and the writing was on the wall after Bowling Green and Seton Hall. I even tried to reconvince myself after the win at Creighton, but clearly since then this season has been a trainwreck. Now it's clear that Tang has had no clear direction in building a consistent plan or culture here and he isn't equipped to be a successful head coach. It probably should have been more clear to me early, but here we are and at least we have a path to move on and move forward.

ksu_FAN said:

As an optimist to a fault, I found ways to convince myself that Tang was fixing previous season mistakes every year. I still had a high belief after season 2 that he and the staff actually got the most from that team after the Tomlin mess, even with the faults and mistakes in recruiting the portal. I bought way too much into trying to buy a team going into year 3 and obviously outside of a great run in the middle of the season that was an absolute disaster. I once again convinced myself that this year (even with flaws), a guard led roster would be different. I thought PJ and Nate Johnson would be dawgs. I thought the Euros (Kostic and Rapieque) would be good. I was wrong on most of that stuff and the writing was on the wall after Bowling Green and Seton Hall. I even tried to reconvince myself after the win at Creighton, but clearly since then this season has been a trainwreck. Now it's clear that Tang has had no clear direction in building a consistent plan or culture here and he isn't equipped to be a successful head coach. It probably should have been more clear to me early, but here we are and at least we have a path to move on and move forward.

In a message board world full of negativity, we need your optimism, fan. Don’t you EVER go changing. Just leave the negativity and stupid posts to me and my ilk.

ksu_FAN said:

As an optimist to a fault, I found ways to convince myself that Tang was fixing previous season mistakes every year. I still had a high belief after season 2 that he and the staff actually got the most from that team after the Tomlin mess, even with the faults and mistakes in recruiting the portal. I bought way too much into trying to buy a team going into year 3 and obviously outside of a great run in the middle of the season that was an absolute disaster. I once again convinced myself that this year (even with flaws), a guard led roster would be different. I thought PJ and Nate Johnson would be dawgs. I thought the Euros (Kostic and Rapieque) would be good. I was wrong on most of that stuff and the writing was on the wall after Bowling Green and Seton Hall. I even tried to reconvince myself after the win at Creighton, but clearly since then this season has been a trainwreck. Now it's clear that Tang has had no clear direction in building a consistent plan or culture here and he isn't equipped to be a successful head coach. It probably should have been more clear to me early, but here we are and at least we have a path to move on and move forward.

My question, given that Tang took his swings at top talent, how did those 18 yo players see through Tang and we generally didn't?

The video saying he wants to be fired from an NBA job.

ksu_FAN said:

As an optimist to a fault, I found ways to convince myself that Tang was fixing previous season mistakes every year. I still had a high belief after season 2 that he and the staff actually got the most from that team after the Tomlin mess, even with the faults and mistakes in recruiting the portal. I bought way too much into trying to buy a team going into year 3 and obviously outside of a great run in the middle of the season that was an absolute disaster. I once again convinced myself that this year (even with flaws), a guard led roster would be different. I thought PJ and Nate Johnson would be dawgs. I thought the Euros (Kostic and Rapieque) would be good. I was wrong on most of that stuff and the writing was on the wall after Bowling Green and Seton Hall. I even tried to reconvince myself after the win at Creighton, but clearly since then this season has been a trainwreck. Now it's clear that Tang has had no clear direction in building a consistent plan or culture here and he isn't equipped to be a successful head coach. It probably should have been more clear to me early, but here we are and at least we have a path to move on and move forward.

I've was cheering on Altman, Asbury, Wooly like they could win a natty, I'm not wired to not be optimistic.

TwoJay said:

My question, given that Tang took his swings at top talent, how did those 18 yo players see through Tang and we generally didn't?

This is a great question and that was something in hindsight that others saw better than I and I chose to overlook. It was definitely a red flag looking back.

TwoJay said:

I've was cheering on Altman, Asbury, Wooly like they could win a natty, I'm not wired to not be optimistic.

My freshman year at K-State was Altman's final year, so I sat through all the same yet my optimism remains.

TwoJay said:

My question, given that Tang took his swings at top talent, how did those 18 yo players see through Tang and we generally didn't?

Well, I guess it’s in the details. If I’m the parent or agent of a top tier player I’m gonna want to know how I fit in and how *specifically* Tang sees me in his offense. My guess is Tang couldn’t explain those questions while other coaches could and did. When we step back and see all of Tang’s dysfunctional sets, substitution patterns and lack of defensive identity it’s not hard to figure out that these players dodged a bullet.

TwoJay said:

My question, given that Tang took his swings at top talent, how did those 18 yo players see through Tang and we generally didn't?

Those kids spent a lot of time with him outside of the public view and we didn't?

TwoJay said:

My question, given that Tang took his swings at top talent, how did those 18 yo players see through Tang and we generally didn't?

Because the 18-year-olds got to hang out for weekends in Tang's basement and we are mere keyboard jockeys.

TwoJay said:

My question, given that Tang took his swings at top talent, how did those 18 yo players see through Tang and we generally didn't?

i think it's pretty obvious actually dude WITH options went on multiple visits and probably saw vastly different plans, programs, and organizations on each visit. i'd assume while others showed long term growth plans and accountability that high-achievers crave, tang was just running around shouting "dudes" and telling them to watch Reem cook on socials and just see a bunch of clowns it cannot be overstated how bad the looks were when the 5 stars re released top 4s simply to exclude K-state as a serious contender

ksu_FAN said:

As an optimist to a fault, I found ways to convince myself that Tang was fixing previous season mistakes every year. I still had a high belief after season 2 that he and the staff actually got the most from that team after the Tomlin mess, even with the faults and mistakes in recruiting the portal. I bought way too much into trying to buy a team going into year 3 and obviously outside of a great run in the middle of the season that was an absolute disaster. I once again convinced myself that this year (even with flaws), a guard led roster would be different. I thought PJ and Nate Johnson would be dawgs. I thought the Euros (Kostic and Rapieque) would be good. I was wrong on most of that stuff and the writing was on the wall after Bowling Green and Seton Hall. I even tried to reconvince myself after the win at Creighton, but clearly since then this season has been a trainwreck. Now it's clear that Tang has had no clear direction in building a consistent plan or culture here and he isn't equipped to be a successful head coach. It probably should have been more clear to me early, but here we are and at least we have a path to move on and move forward.

It's all good fan, that's part of being, well a fan. We all want the best and want to believe. Here's to the future, hopefully nail the hire

I really liked him and thought he was a good fit for Kstate. Turns out he didnt know what he was doing and Gene should have just let him walk.

The sign was he was a 50+ year old long time assistant with no HC experience. That was the red flag. There comes a point where you top out in your upward mobility. Tang topped out 10 years prior and in hindsight should have recognized that. He wasn’t waiting for the right opportunity. He was waiting for AN opportunity. And we gave it to him. We were fortunate the Keynote Johnson situation worked out like it did because I’m pretty sure there wasn’t the true diligence done when the brought him here.

ksu_FAN said:

As an optimist to a fault, I found ways to convince myself that Tang was fixing previous season mistakes every year. I still had a high belief after season 2 that he and the staff actually got the most from that team after the Tomlin mess, even with the faults and mistakes in recruiting the portal. I bought way too much into trying to buy a team going into year 3 and obviously outside of a great run in the middle of the season that was an absolute disaster. I once again convinced myself that this year (even with flaws), a guard led roster would be different. I thought PJ and Nate Johnson would be dawgs. I thought the Euros (Kostic and Rapieque) would be good. I was wrong on most of that stuff and the writing was on the wall after Bowling Green and Seton Hall. I even tried to reconvince myself after the win at Creighton, but clearly since then this season has been a trainwreck. Now it's clear that Tang has had no clear direction in building a consistent plan or culture here and he isn't equipped to be a successful head coach. It probably should have been more clear to me early, but here we are and at least we have a path to move on and move forward.

I too, reconvinced myself after Creighton, although just barely. I think I made the final decision that I was done after ULM, though. After blowing the lead and letting a team that terrible get back into the game, with BYU coming up next, I just laughed because I knew it was over.

Catchup said:

I was so excited to have an aggressive recruiter that had us in the conversation for real dudes. I took my dad and son to Madison Square Garden for the elite 8 and I became a real believer. I stayed optimistic until the Bowling Green game. That is when I finally accepted it was smoke and mirrors.

I'll join this group. I had nothing but great experiences with him and staff when I was at Baylor and was excited about this hire. I do think recruiting was his strength and I think NIL and the transfer portal was his downfall. I'm glad we are moving on.