Newness abounds in opener for K-State, New Orleans

The latest version of the newly revamped Kansas State basketball team will take the court for the first time this season when the Wildcats host New Orleans in the season opener for both clubs Tuesday in Manhattan, Kan.

The Wildcats have just three returning players from last year's squad. The rest of the roster comprises one freshman and nine transfers, who form quite a collection.

"I'm just super excited about these guys," head coach Jerome Tang said at Big 12 Media Day. "It's pretty much a new roster. I'm thankful for (senior returner) David N'Guessan. When a young man spends three years with you in this day and age, it means you're doing a little something right and that he's really enjoying his time."

While there are strengths with each of the new faces, the headliner is 6-foot-10 Coleman Hawkins, who transferred from Illinois. Hawkins was named co-Newcomer of the Year of the Big 12.

"Whether he was named that or not, it wouldn't have changed the fact that he is a very versatile basketball player with a high IQ who can play guard and play offensively multiple positions," Tang said of Hawkins.

"He takes great joy in watching his teammates have success, and that's rare. When he's on the floor, he makes the guys on the floor better players, and he makes me look like a better coach."

While Tang tries to figure out how to blend his new collection of talent, New Orleans head coach Stacy Hollowell is finding his way in a whole new program. Hollowell spent the last two years on the staffs at Ole Miss and Texas Southern, but prior to that Hollowell led Loyola University, also located in New Orleans, to the 2022 NAIA national championship.

"I think our ranginess and athleticism will surprise people, get up and down the floor and play fast," Hollowell said in assessing the upcoming season. "If you want to play fast and hard, play in transition, play an exciting style of ball, we're a fit for you."

Hollowell's biggest "get" so far was James White, who overlapped with Hollowell at Ole Miss in 2022-23 before transferring to UAB last season. He only played seven games at UAB, but he can be an anchor for Hollowell.

--Field Level Media