Kansas State basketball to play host to Florida in SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Jan. 28
Kansas State's home basketball schedule just got more challenging, but also more fan friendly.
The Big 12 announced Thursday that the Wildcats will play host to Florida on Jan. 28, 2023 at Bramlage Coliseum as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. All games in the 10th annual edition of the series will be televised by either ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU with start times yet to be determined.
“We are excited about the opportunity that awaits by hosting a program like Florida in the Octagon of Doom,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said of what is one of at least 17 home games for the Wildcats in 2022-23. “I know our team will be fired up to play and our fans will be ready to welcome the Gators to the best home court in college basketball.”
More: Kansas State basketball gets commitment from Arkansas State transfer guard Desi Sills
K-State also will welcome Wichita State to Bramlage on Dec. 3 and play host to Nebraska on Dec. 17 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The schedule also features a trip to the Cayman Islands Classic from November 21-23 and a Big 12/Big East Battle road game against Butler on Nov. 30 in Indianapolis.
The January game against Florida will mark the third meeting between the two schools and the first in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. It also will be the first on either team's home court after the Gators beat K-State, 57-44, in the Orange Bowl Classic on Dec. 18, 2010 in Sunrise, Florida, and the Wildcats prevailed, 67-61, in the Wildcat Classic at T-Mobile Center on Dec. 22, 2012.
More: Kansas State basketball lands commitment from Virginia Tech forward David N'Guessan
Like K-State, Florida has a new head coach in Todd Golden, who took over on March 18 after a successful run at San Francisco. Tang came to K-State in March after 19 years as an assistant at Baylor.
Tang is wrapping up a busy first three months at K-State, building a Wildcat roster that included just two returning players in senior guard Markquis Nowell and junior forward Ismael Massoud. He has added seven players so far — four through the transfer portal, one from the junior college ranks and two high school recruits.
Tang also signaled Wednesday on social media that he has another commitment on the way.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State basketball to host Florida in SEC/Big 12 Challenge
