After getting off to a dismal start to the season, K-State (9-11, 3-6 Big 12) is suddenly on a roll. It played Texas Tech, Kansas and Baylor tougher than most expected. Then the team broke through with a pair of convincing home victories against West Virginia and Oklahoma State.

Kansas State is having its best two-game stretch in conference play this season. Wildcats coach Jerome Tang attributes the dominating performances to the strong scoring defense. Since its Baylor loss,

K-State relied heavily on freshman point guard David Castillo and junior-college transfer Mobi Ikegwuruka during a narrow loss against Texas Tech earlier this week. Tang sent a message in the process: He is ready to build for the future with young players who display maximum effort when they are on the court.

Kansas State was at the low point of the season during a six-game losing streak but coach Jerome Tang made sure to keep everyone positive. After snapping the skid Saturday against West Virginia, Tang explained how he kept the team together.

Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang got an assist from an old friend after the Wildcats' loss Wednesday at Baylor.