The most obvious issue Casey Alexander must resolve in the transfer portal couldn’t be clearer.
Kansas State is facing a major void in its lineup after yet another key departure and the urgency is greater than many realize.
Kansas State’s offseason was already expected to be defined by roster turnover after Jerome Tang’s exit, but losing guard David Castillo makes that challenge even more significant.
Castillo’s transfer leaves a major gap in the Wildcats’ backcourt
Castillo played a crucial role for Kansas State throughout the season. During nonconference play, he looked nearly unstoppable, scoring double digits in five of six games leading into league action, even dropping a season-high 22 points in an 82–66 loss to Bowling Green.
But once the Big 12 schedule hit, his production dipped. Aside from a 20-point, four-rebound outing against Utah, Castillo struggled to regain momentum after the Feb. 7 matchup with TCU. His shooting fell below 35% in the final 10 games of the season, during which the Wildcats won just twice raising legitimate consistency concerns.
Guard play now becomes Kansas State’s biggest offseason mystery
Jerome Tang appeared to hit the jackpot when he landed P.J. Haggerty, who often carried the offense on his own. Haggerty led the team in scoring for 18 straight games from Dec. 20 to Feb. 28 and rarely had close competition.
There were bright moments, such as the win over Baylor when both Haggerty and Nate Johnson posted 30-point outings. But neither player is expected back next season.
So, while conference play was rough, Haggerty and Johnson repeatedly kept Kansas State competitive and without them, the uncertainty grows.
And that’s simply today’s reality. Players frequently transfer, especially when the coach who recruited them is gone. The same goes for staff turnover, which Alexander has already begun addressing with hires like Kerron Johnson.
Now the question becomes: Should Kansas State attack the portal for new guard talent, or lean on high school recruiting? With no established track record and only two current commitments, the path forward is unclear.
The lack of returning production only adds to the worries
Bench depth is just as critical as the starting lineup maybe even more so. Even if the Wildcats land the right guards, they can’t afford a rotation that only goes two deep off the bench. That won’t survive Big 12 play.
And that only covers two of the five starting positions. There are still questions at the big spots, forward, and another wing. Still, based on the caliber of players Alexander has already brought in, Kansas State isn’t starting from scratch but the work ahead is substantial.
