LSU seeks first-ever win against Kansas State

Field Level Media|published: Thu 14th November, 07:32 2024

Kansas State Wildcats head coach Jerome Tang sets up a play in the final seconds of the second half of the NCAA Big 12 basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Kansas State Wildcats at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The Bearcats collected a 74-72 conference win.

It's almost as if they're becoming rivals.

LSU and Kansas State will face each other for the third time ever -- and the third time in the past three seasons -- as LSU travels to Manhattan, Kan., for a Thursday night matchup. Kansas State has won the previous two games.

The two teams met in the championship game of the Cayman Islands Classic in the fall of 2022, with LSU pulling off a thrilling 61-59 victory on a baseline jumper with less than five seconds left.

Last season, the Wildcats defeated the Tigers 75-60 in Baton Rouge, La., behind Louisiana native Cam Carter, one of four Wildcats to score in double figures. Carter now plays for LSU.

LSU (2-0) has started the 2024-25 season strong, partly behind Carter, who has 21 points in each of the Tigers' first two games. In their most recent game, the Tigers used a 19-4 run over a 5:22 stretch in the second half Sunday to erase a six-point halftime deficit and beat Alabama State 74-61.

"I was really pleased with the final 12 minutes on Sunday," LSU Coach Matt McMahon said Tuesday. "A lot of lessons learned throughout the game, but I really liked the way we finished the game, both offensively and defensively. Now we have this great opportunity to go on the road Thursday against Kansas State."

Kansas State (2-0) has cruised to two straight wins. In the Wildcats' most recent game, transfer Brendan Hausen was 6-of-9 from 3-point range on his way to a career high 22 points in a 77-64 victory Saturday over Cleveland State.

"We've got some guys who can make shots," Kansas State coach Jerome Tang said. "Even when we're not playing particularly well, that's what it boils down to. You've got to do some other things too, but if you make shots, it solves a lot of problems."

Tang is downplaying the Carter connection.

"We love Cam Carter," he said. "He believed in us as a staff when a lot of people didn't. He did a lot for our program. But with the nature of college basketball, he got to capitalize on that and go back closer to home. I'm super thankful for Cam's time here. I just hope he doesn't play well."

--Field Level Media