‘We need you’: Jerome Tang implores K-State fans to support Wildcats against Colorado
Jerome Tang has noticed a common denominator in all five of Kansas State’s home conference victories this season.
The Wildcats benefited from great crowd support in those games.
“Every team that has come to (Bramlage Coliseum) and felt the Octagon of Doom, what it is supposed to be like, has left with a (loss),” Tang said earlier this week following a road loss to UCF.
Indeed, K-State enjoyed a home-court advantage during exciting wins against Cincinnati, West Virginia, Oklahoma State and Arizona. And Bramlage Coliseum really got loud for its lone sellout of the season when rival Kansas came to town.
But the home crowd has been quieter for other games, especially in the student section. Perhaps Tang also thinks that is part of the reason why K-State has dropped four games at home this season.
In any case, he wants to play in front of a rowdy crowd when K-State hosts Colorado at 3 p.m. on Sunday. So much so, that he is imploring K-State students to show up.
“We need you,” Tang said. “We can still turn this thing and do some good things moving forward, but we need you. Every time I get asked to speak at a sorority or fraternity or anything else, I’m there. I’m there for you guys. So I’m asking you, if you’re not there for the players, come be there for me on this one. I need you there.”
This type of request is nothing new for Tang.
He was critical of K-State students last season when they failed to show up in big numbers. He also challenged them to boost attendance at times during his first year on campus. It seems like he is always searching for some way to boost student attendance.
Tang thinks a good student section can be worth 10 points on the court. He understandably doesn’t like playing in front of row after row of empty seats.
It will be interesting to see how fans respond. K-State (13-15, 7-9 Big 12) has lost four in a row and the Wildcats are no longer in contention for an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. Colorado (11-17, 2-15 Big 12) is also struggling. Convincing a big crowd to show up for that game on a Sunday afternoon could be a challenge.
But Tang is trying to make it happen, nonetheless.
“We don’t win without Bramlage being the Octagon of Doom,” Tang said. “This is a challenge to our fans and to our students. I have been there for you guys ... I need them. Our team needs them. That is what I want to see. I want to see a packed Bramlage that makes life miserable for Colorado.”
This story was originally published March 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM.