K-State’s Jerome Tang Draws Criticism From Kansas Fans For Postgame Handshake
The handshake tension between Bill Self and Jerome Tang seems to persist. The situation began last year when Kansas coach Self addressed it after defeating Tang and the Kansas State Wildcats. Tang had given Self a brief handshake before heading back to the locker room to talk to his team.
When asked about the incident, Self took a jab at Tang.
“He just did a fly-by,” Self remarked. “That’s fine. I’ll just say this: when we got our butts kicked there, we shook everyone’s hands. I guess today was different.”
Fast forward to Saturday’s game between the in-state rivals, where Tang appeared to snub Self again after another loss to the Jayhawks. The moment didn’t go unnoticed by Kansas fans.
There were no postgame comments from either coach about the exchange, and neither was asked about it. However, the public took notice, fueling further discussion. The Wildcats and Jayhawks are set to meet again this season in Manhattan. Whether the coaches will resolve their differences or let “handshake-gate” continue remains to be seen.
HAWKINS REMAINS COMMITTED
Last May, Coleman Hawkins was gearing up for the NBA. He participated in the Chicago combine and was projected as a second-round pick or undrafted free agent. Ultimately, Hawkins decided to stay in college.
He secured a significant NIL deal to play another season at Kansas State, ensuring financial stability while chasing a national title.
While the money is there, the winning hasn’t been. The Wildcats have lost eight of their last nine games, including five straight. Despite the struggles, Hawkins doesn’t regret his decision and remains determined to give his all for the team.
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“Coach always talks about fighting through adversity and manning up,” Hawkins said. “My job is to do just that—man up and persevere. I’m focused on playing out the season and winning as many games as possible for this program. That’s where my mindset is.”
At 7-10, the Wildcats are off to a rough start. On Saturday, they fell behind 14-0 early against rival Kansas but fought back in the second half to make the game competitive. This resilience offers hope for a turnaround.
“I feel like we’re close to shocking a lot of people,” Hawkins said. “I believe we’re going to start winning games soon … I’m going to play hard no matter what.”