College basketball analyst Andy Katz is betting big on Kansas State’s future. In his latest set of predictions, he listed the Wildcats at No. 5 among his Top 10 bounce‑back teams for the 2025‑26 season, signaling his belief that K‑State could rebound strongly next year.
That kind of vote matters. After a 2024‑25 campaign that ended with a 16–17 record and a 9–11 mark in the Big 12, the Wildcats need narrative momentum. Under head coach Jerome Tang, the program has been in a rebuilding phase, emphasizing culture, defense, and player development. Katz’s selection suggests he thinks those pieces are aligning in the right direction.
Being named a “bounce‑back” team is a dual symbol; it carries both expectation and skepticism. It suggests that last year’s underperformance is viewed as temporary, not systemic. For K‑State, it adds a quiet pressure but also validation. Katz is saying the Wildcats have the foundation to exceed expectations in 2025‑26.
Tang will need to lean into that. A climb from sub-500 to contender status means better consistency, fewer lapses, and more production from rising players. Kansas State’s roster must convert depth into impact, and guard play, perimeter shooting, and interior balance will be key. If K‑State can show up in high‑leverage moments, it will prove Katz right.
While forecasts are never guarantees, this is one that fans of the program can rally behind. While it takes a significant setback to be labeled a comeback team, things in Manhattan appear bright, led by a backcourt of numerous stars. All-American guard PJ Haggerty leads the bunch, alongside MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson, sharpshooter Abdi Bashir Jr., and international star Andrej Kostic.
For the Big 12, it’s also a reminder that the league’s narratives shift fast. Teams off the radar one year often reemerge the next. If Kansas State can validate Katz’s confidence, it reinforces the idea that the Big 12 is a league of opportunity where bounce‑backs are real and reputations are mutable.
