K-State’s road back to relevance gets an early-season test against Mississippi State, as the Wildcats gear up for the Hall of Fame Classic under the bright lights in Kansas City.
The two teams will meet in the second semifinal on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 8:30 p.m. CT at the T-Mobile Center. The NABC released the full bracket for the 25th edition of the event on Thursday.
Nebraska and New Mexico open the tournament at 6 p.m. CT. Winners will play for the title Friday at 8:30 p.m., while the consolation game tips at 6 p.m.
Game set for Hall of Fame Classic
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) June 26, 2025
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The matchup marks the fifth all-time meeting between K-State and Mississippi State, and the first since the Bulldogs pulled out a 67–61 win in the 2019 Never Forget Tribute Classic. K-State won the first three meetings in the 1980s and ’90s.
It’s the Wildcats’ fourth appearance in the Hall of Fame Classic, but their first since 2021. They’ve finished as runner-up twice, most recently losing to No. 13 Arkansas and No. 14 Illinois in back-to-back years.
Mississippi State and New Mexico are making their Classic debuts. Nebraska returns for a second time.
Mississippi State punched its ticket to a third straight NCAA Tournament last season, finishing 8–10 in SEC play and tied for ninth while notching another 20-win campaign under Chris Jans.
For Kansas State, it’s a reset year.
Head coach Jerome Tang enters under pressure after back-to-back seasons without an NCAA Tournament berth. The Wildcats return just three scholarship players: point guard David Castillo and forwards Mobi Ikegwuruka and Taj Manning.
K-State added firepower in the portal, led by MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson (Akron), Bowling Green’s Marcus Johnson (16.2 PPG), and Memphis standout PJ Haggerty, a second-team All-American.
Other newcomers include Khamari McGriff (UNC Wilmington), Abdi Bashir (Omaha), international signees Elias Rapieque and Andrej Kostic, and 6-foot-11 JUCO big man Stephen Osei, who’s expected to redshirt.
The Wildcats went 16–17 overall and 9–11 in Big 12 play last season, tying for ninth in the conference.