This season is shaping up to look very different for Kansas State men’s basketball—and this time, hopefully for the better. With the Casey Alexander era now fully underway, the Wildcats have a legitimate shot at shaking things up in the Big 12.
Alexander’s past success suggests Kansas State could be headed for a record-breaking year. He’s not just another mid-major coach moving up; he’s spent years building winning programs and doing what elite coaches do best: stacking victories. Now that he’s at Kansas State, there’s real reason for excitement.
To understand how the former Belmont coach landed in Manhattan, it helps to rewind a few years. Alexander took over the Bruins in 2019 and stayed for seven seasons. During that stretch, Belmont racked up 166 wins and three Missouri Valley regular-season titles.
He’s also one of just four coaches nationally to win 20 or more games in 10 straight seasons. The others? Gonzaga’s Mark Few, Houston’s Kelvin Sampson, and Hall of Fame Kansas coach Bill Self.
The three seasons before that came during his earlier stint at Lipscomb, starting in 2017-18, when he guided the Bison to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, notching 29 wins along the way.
Where Alexander can make history for Kansas State men’s basketball
Given the massive roster turnover, the transfer portal isn’t just a supplement it’s the backbone of the team. With little carryover from last season, Alexander isn’t easing into a rebuild; he’s building a new roster on the fly.
Kansas State has brought in far more transfers than in recent years. Instead of leaning only on long-term development, Alexander and his staff are banking on immediate contributions and experienced depth. Against Power Four competition, that’s not just a nice-to-have it’s essential.
The real challenge isn’t just how many players arrived, but how well they mesh once the season tips off. If Alexander’s portal additions click on the court, K-State’s turnaround could happen overnight.
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