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The Kansas State basketball team fell to Big 12 rival Oklahoma State on Tuesday night, 79-66. In doing so, it continued a lengthy road losing streak that dates back to last season.
The Wildcats are now 0-13 in their last 13 true road matchups. There were a few unexpected speed bumps in this most recent outcome, none of which related to the visiting team’s hostile environment.
Kansas State entered the contest fresh off a one-point loss to TCU in Fort Worth. Weather created some logistical issues, forcing the Wildcats to stay on the road throughout the week as opposed to travelling home in between games.
Jerome Tang says it is unclear when the Kansas State men’s basketball team will be able to travel home. It won’t be tonight. Maybe late tomorrow. Might just stay on the road until Oklahoma State on Tuesday.
— Kellis Robinett (@KellisRobinett) January 4, 2025
After spending five days in hotel rooms, the team came out lethargic after tipping off against the Cowboys on Tuesday night. Oklahoma State jumped out to a 19-point first half lead before cruising to a 13-point victory. Coleman Hawkins spoke on the effects of that extended stay after the loss.
“Today, I feel like we didn’t warm up well enough. We came out flat with no energy. At times, we didn’t take pregame warmups and things like that seriously.”
-Coleman Hawkins
That was evident in the first half, though the team battled after the halftime break. In the end, it wasn’t enough.
While travel concerns certainly played a role in the lackluster performance, the opposing crowd had little impact. Nobody showed up to watch the Cowboys land their first Big 12 win of the season, with cold weather likely being the cause.
It won’t be a sellout tonight in Stillwater pic.twitter.com/opwEbbTUgY
— Kellis Robinett (@KellisRobinett) January 8, 2025
Pregame videos showed an empty Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater. The Wildcats didn’t have to deal with a raucous road atmosphere in its latest trip. It didn’t matter.
The home team wouldn’t need the extra boost from the fanbase as it led from start to finish. Kansas State’s basketball team has now lost 13 consecutive road games dating back to January of last season. The last win came against West Virginia almost a year to the day of this most recent setback.
The task won’t get any easier for Jerome Tang and Co. with the Wildcats’ next trip slated for archrival Kansas. The group will look to right the ship after a 7-7 start to the 2024 season on Saturday against Houston.