The addition of Ugonna Onyenso to the rotation is starting to pay dividends. Jerome Tang barely used the 7-foot Kentucky transfer at the beginning of Big 12 play, but his playing time is now on the rise. He played 13 minutes against the Bears and only contributed two rebounds.

Kansas State guard Dug McDaniel turned the ball over hastily on the first play against Baylor Wednesday night. That was pretty much foreshadowing for the rest of the night, as the Wildcats' turnovers were just too much to overcome in the end.

Kansas State Wildcats guard Coleman Hawkins (33) jumps up for a shot against Kansas Jayhawks center Hunter Dickinson (1) in the second half of the Sunflower Showdown game inside Allen Fieldhouse Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. / Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Betting line: Kansas State: +11.5 O/U: 141.5

The most frustrating thing about this defeat for K-State is that the Wildcats played well enough to win for much of the afternoon. But they fell behind 14-0 in the opening moments and were unable to cut the deficit closer than six the rest of the way.

Kansas State basketball fell behind for good midway through the first half and never had a chance, falling 87-57 to Houston.