Jerome Tang makes bold statement about PJ Haggerty as K-State stays undefeated
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jerome Tang names PJ Haggerty the team's top playmaker and franchise leader.
- Haggerty scored 37 with eight assists and seven rebounds in 98-77 win.
- K-State leans on Haggerty's scoring burst; coach trusts him to close games.
A pair of young Kansas State basketball fans had a message for PJ Haggerty as he prepared to inbound the ball during the closing moments of his team’s 98-77 victory over Mississippi State in the semifinals of the Hall of Fame Classic on Thursday at T-Mobile Center.
We want you to score 40!
Haggerty acknowledged their words with a nod of his head and then nearly obliged their request.
The talented point guard led the Wildcats to their most impressive victory of the season by scoring a game-high 37 points to go along with eight assists and seven rebounds. He was unable to reach 40 like his fans desired, but it only feels like a matter of time before that happens.
“I think he’s the best point guard in America,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said, “and he might be the best player in America. I don’t get to vote on that, but I wouldn’t want anybody else.”
Haggerty is certainly off to a dream start with the Wildcats. The Memphis transfer is averaging 28.2 points per game. He has eclipsed 30 points in consecutive outings. And he is one of the nation’s top scorers in late November.
Those statistics are enough to make you wonder what his season high could end up being this season. Could he eventually reach 40 points? What about 45? Is 50 within reach?
“I don’t really know,” Haggerty said. “I don’t really like to keep up with things like that. I just try to play my game within the offense and try to win.”
Tang had his own thoughts on that topic.
“Point guards are judged liked pitchers -- on wins and losses,” Tang said. “That’s all that matters for him. It’s about winning. So if he needs to score 50 for us to win, then I think he will do it. If he needs to get 10 rebounds, I think he will do it. If he needs to get 20 assists, I think he will do it. I think he’ll do whatever it takes for us to win.”
Haggerty put up a career-high 42 points in a game last season against Wichita State when he was playing for Memphis.
It is possible that he could match, or exceed, that total with the Wildcats. He has shown why in the past two games.
Haggerty is at his best when he attacks the rim and scores off the dribble. But there are certain teams in the Big 12 that play good enough defense to take that away from him. What happens if he can’t score at will near the rim?
Well, he poured in four 3-pointers against Mississippi State and looked to distribute when the Bulldogs threw extra defenders at him. He did more than just draw fouls and make free throws.
Haggerty got off to a slow start earlier this week in a narrow win over Tulsa. But he scored 29 points in the second half of that game. Then he erupted for 37 more on Thursday.
In other words, he has scored 66 points in K-State’s last 60 minutes of game time.
Tang has put so much faith in Haggerty that he checked himself into the game late in the second half without consulting the coaching staff. He asked for a break from the action to work through some cramping issues. But once he got that sorted out, he was welcomed back into the game without question.
That makes sense.
At the rate Haggerty is scoring, it wouldn’t be wise to leave him on the bench.