K-State fans protest basketball struggles with paper bags and boos at Bramlage
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- About two dozen fans wore paper bags; some had critical messages.
- Home crowd loudly booed as Wildcats (10-13, 1-9 Big 12) trailed badly.
- Some fans demand change; Tang’s job and buyout drew scrutiny.
The student section inside Bramlage Coliseum voiced its opinion about head coach Jerome Tang and the struggling Kansas State men’s basketball team without saying a single word during a 91-62 loss against Cincinnati on Wednesday.
In a sign of the times, a group of about two dozen fans wore paper bags over their heads as they watched the Wildcats (10-14, 1-10 Big 12) struggle again at home.
But that’s not all. Some of those fans wrote messages on their bags.
One read: “Anybody got $18,675,000?” in reference to Tang’s buyout.
Another read: “We ain’t got dudes.” Tang used to say the opposite after big wins.
One more read: “Donors save us!”
For good measure, the home crowd also loudly booed the Wildcats midway through the first half as they trailed by as many as 32 points.
When Tang was asked about the protest in the student section, he said he understood their frustrations.
“I would wear a paper bag, too, if I was them,” he said.
Tang’s future with the Wildcats is very much in doubt. He led K-State to a stellar first season that featured 26 victories and a trip to the Elite Eight, but since then program has steadily declined. The Wildcats won 19 games in Year 2 and 16 games in Year 3. They are likely going to miss the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season and potentially finish last in the Big 12 standings.
Some fans have seen enough and appear ready for a coaching change.
This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 9:44 PM.