
Getty Image / Jared C. Tilton
A year ago, only the biggest college basketball diehards knew who Jerome Tang was. But, he is quickly becoming a household name in the sport.
Tang was a longtime assistant coach at Baylor under Scott Drew starting in 2003 and saw that program grow from a murder scandal to national champions in 2021.
And, that landed him the head coaching job at Kansas State, replacing Bruce Weber, following the 2022 season. And, he’s instantly led the Wildcats back to the top of college basketball. Kansas State went 23-8 in the regular season, before a first round exit in the Big 12 tournament. But, they earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament, and beat Montana State by 12, 77-65, in the first round on Friday.
And, on Sunday, they took on the blue-blood Kentucky Wildcats for a trip to the sweet 16.
And, the purple ‘cats in this matchup of Wildcats, executed a perfect call by Jerome Tang to get an alley-oop to go up three at the end of the first half.
KANSAS STATE ENDS THE HALF IN STYLE 😱#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/ne9EKIrtIx
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
And, thanks to strong play by Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell, Jerome Tang is headed to the Sweet 16.
Markquis Nowell is from Harlem, but hasn’t been home in 3 years because he has been “committed to the game.”
Now, Nowell returns home this week with his entire Kansas State team, playing at Madison Square Garden in the Sweet 16.
— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) March 19, 2023
KANSAS STATE IS MOVING ON 🔥
They defeat Kentucky 75-69 to advance to the Sweet 16! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/hh4eT2LS7K
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
After the game, Tang was pretty hype.
.@KStateMBB head coach Jerome Tang is PUMPED!
Tang has become the first Kansas State head coach to advance to the Sweet 16 in first season with the school 👏
🎥: @NicoleAuerbachpic.twitter.com/avtx37QjeZ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 19, 2023
And, after the game, Jerome Tang made it clear he does not care at all about Kentucky’s tradition.
Kansas State coach Jerome Tang after the win over Kentucky:
"We had more dudes than they did today." pic.twitter.com/499cd21uz7— Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) March 19, 2023
Jerome Tang dropping bars after Kansas State beat Kentucky pic.twitter.com/V8jGrVeCUc
— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) March 20, 2023
I can’t say I disagree. Kansas State will take on Michigan State in the Sweet Sixteen next week.