When Kansas State takes on Tulsa on Monday in Manhattan, Kan., the Wildcats will attempt to set a record for a third straight game.
For two games running, the Wildcats (3-0) have set a new standard for field-goal percentage with coach Jerome Tang at the helm. Kansas State shot 64.4% (38 of 59) from the field in a 99-96 home win against Cal on Thursday.
The balanced scoring effort was needed to withstand the Golden Bears’ rally from a 25-point deficit. PJ Haggerty (23 points), Khamari McGriff (21) and Nate Johnson (20) became the first trio of Kansas State players to all record at least 20 points since 2017.
According to Tang, the Wildcats’ success from the field is due to their efficiency from 3-point range. Kansas State drilled 9 of 18 three-point attempts against Cal.
“You know, the thing about being a really good 3-point shooting team is that it spaces the floor,” Tang said. “We can go make layups. We’ll go make layups all day long. It’s a higher percentage shot per shot than shooting the 3-pointer. You know, if it’s a layup at the rim and uncontested that’s what we want first. And the other stuff, you know, that’s the icing on the cake.”
Haggerty, who averaged 21.7 points per game last season for Memphis, is scoring 24.3 ppg through three games. McGriff is fourth on the team in scoring (13.7) but has made a terrific 18 of 22 field-goal attempts (81.8%).
The Golden Hurricane (3-0) are led in scoring by David Green (16.7 points per game) and Miles Barnstable (16). In an 88-87 win at Oral Roberts on Wednesday, Green and Barnstable both racked up 21 points.
Tulsa allowed 50% shooting from the floor yet hung on for a win against its in-state rivals. Barnstable connected on 4 of 7 3-point attempts. The senior St. Thomas transfer is shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc.
“Our guys are playing hard. I think we’re playing with a level of physicality,” Tulsa coach Eric Konkol said. “We’ve demanded a level of toughness and it fits this group.”
