After getting off to a dismal start to the season, K-State (9-11, 3-6 Big 12) is suddenly on a roll. It played Texas Tech, Kansas and Baylor tougher than most expected. Then the team broke through with a pair of convincing home victories against West Virginia and Oklahoma State.

Kansas State is having its best two-game stretch in conference play this season. Wildcats coach Jerome Tang attributes the dominating performances to the strong scoring defense. Since its Baylor loss,

K-State relied heavily on freshman point guard David Castillo and junior-college transfer Mobi Ikegwuruka during a narrow loss against Texas Tech earlier this week. Tang sent a message in the process: He is ready to build for the future with young players who display maximum effort when they are on the court.

Kansas State was at the low point of the season during a six-game losing streak but coach Jerome Tang made sure to keep everyone positive. After snapping the skid Saturday against West Virginia, Tang explained how he kept the team together.