Iowa State coach responds to spying allegations from K-State game
AMES, Iowa (KSNT) - It was another chaotic week of Big 12 basketball, but this time, for reasons more than just upsets on the court.
K-State lost to Iowa State in Ames on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The next day, Kellis Robinett with the KC Star reported Kansas State was concerned Iowa State spied on its timeout huddles during the game. It could explain the seemingly heated exchange between K-State head coach Jerome Tang and Iowa State head coach TJ Otzelberger in the postgame handshake line.
After the game, both coaches chose to be limited in their comments on the situation.
"Nothing happened," Tang said when asked about the interaction after the final buzzer sounded. "We talked about a situation that took place during the game and he said he would check into it. I said 'Thank you' and moved on."
Tang never publicly accused ISU of any cheating. 27 News did not confirm the KC Star report that K-State was suspicious of spying.
After the Cyclones picked up another big win on Saturday against the Jayhawks, ISU's head coach appeared to be less than thrilled to still be discussing Wednesday's unique situation.
"It's incredibly disappointing that after such an awesome game and awesome environment and atmosphere that I even have to begin by addressing something that happened earlier this week," Otzelberger said in Saturday's postgame press conference.
He didn't mince words on the topic. An account called 'Cyclone Fanatic' posted the video of him discussing the accusations.
"The ludicrous rumors earlier this week that somehow we were trying to gain an advantage looking into our opponents huddles is an affront to our players, our fans and to me," he said. "It's not who I am, it's not what our program is about and I am angry that someone would even make that suggestion."
The Cyclones' head coach alleged K-State's staff was actually in the wrong.
"One of their staff members cursed out one of our student managers who was mopping the floor under the basket," he claimed. "So let's put this to bed here and now, [spying on our opponents huddle] didn't happen, it won't happen and others need to be much more careful with their words moving forward."