Iowa State basketball coach TJ Otzelberger faced some Michigan-like allegations during his team’s recent win over Kansas State, and he is not pleased about it.
Otzelberger and Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang were seen having an animated discussion during a timeout in Iowa State’s 78-67 win at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, on Wednesday night. According to a report from the Kansas City Star, Tang and his staff believed the Cyclones had people in the stands behind Kansas State’s bench trying to gather information. There was reportedly also concern that the information would be relayed to the Iowa State bench via text message during the game.
Both coaches were asked after the game about their noteworthy conversation. Tang said he is “not going to talk about it.” Otzelberger addressed the situation on Saturday after No. 23 Iowa State beat No. 7 Kansas. He called the spying talk “ludicrous.”
“It’s incredibly disappointing after such an awesome game, an awesome environment and atmosphere, that I even have to begin by addressing something that happened earlier this week,” Otzelberger said, via the New York Post. “The ludicrous rumors earlier this week that somehow we were trying to gain an advantage looking into our opponents’ huddles is an affront to our players, our fans and to me.
“It’s not who I am. It’s not what our program is about, and I’m angry that someone would even make that suggestion.”
Otzelberger added that a Kansas State staffer “cursed out” an Iowa State student manager who was mopping the floor during the game.
“Let’s put this to bed here and now,” Otzelberger said. “It didn’t happen. It won’t happen. And others need to be much more careful with their words moving forward.”
Iowa State and Kansas State will play again on March 9, which is the season finale for both teams. The spying allegations will undoubtedly be a big topic of conversation leading up to the game.
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