Feb 11, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Brendan Hausen (11) and forward David N'Guessan (1) celebrate a win over the Arizona Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Kansas State Fans Defend Latest College Basketball Ranking

Originally posted on Kansas State Wildcats on SI
By Jayden Armant | Last updated Feb 14, 2025 1:31 PM ET

About a month ago, Kansas State fans threw in the towel on their basketball team, hurling endless criticism toward the players and coach Jerome Tang.

Now during its six-game win streak, fans are on the hype train defending the team on social media.

College Basketball Report, via Torbik Basketball rankings, had Kansas State as the No. 11 team in the nation in the past 30 days. Wildcats fans immediately refuted this statement, as their team has dominated conference opponents since losing to Baylor.

Since Jan 19. KSU belongs in the top 5 of this list, minimum ‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/Oa0BtFq0Ak
— Mike Hawk (@HawksLocks23) February 14, 2025

Kansas State defeated four ranked opponents, including Kansas and Iowa State, during its six-game win streak.

Kstate should be #1. 4 top 25 wins in last 6 games. 1 top win. Who else did that in last 30 days
— Domingo Pequeno (@domingo_pequeno) February 14, 2025

It wasn't limited to Wildcats fans, either. In general, most fanbases took shots at the list for excluding or demoting teams like Michigan and Missouri.

"Based on what? Most popcorn sold at the concessions? Most tampons flushed down stadium toilets? Sure as hell ain’t a representative of the actual top-25 teams," one user tweeted.

Based on what? Most popcorn sold at the concessions? Most tampons flushed down stadium toilets? Sure as hell ain’t a representative of the actual top-25 teams.
— General Turgidson (@Chasert55) February 14, 2025

Regardless, Kansas State is ignoring the outside noise, whether positive or negative. They realize the task at hand to make the NCAA Tournament after the slow season start.

“I mean to be honest, that’s just outside people telling us how good we are," McDaniel said about the analysts placing postseason expectations on the team. "In that locker room, it’s still us vs. us. We’re not trying to pay too much attention to the outside noise and just lock in and focus on the next job.”

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @ jaydenarmant.

This article first appeared on Kansas State Wildcats on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: