OPINION: Casey Alexander Deserves Patience

That distinction matters because fans should be prepared to accept a loss Friday if that is how the game unfolds. A victory would be encouraging, but it should not be treated as a sign that Kansas State has everything figured out, either.

Why is this team allowed to lose?

To recap, Kansas State men’s basketball returned just one player from last season’s roster. That means approximately 93% of the team is new to Manhattan, Kansas, and the Wildcats will also have a new head coach in Casey Alexander.

Alexander brings a different approach from former head coach Jerome Tang. Rather than building the roster around one dominant player and surrounding him with supporting pieces, Alexander has assembled a group that could distribute responsibility more evenly.

After Tang led Kansas State to the Elite Eight in 2023, the Wildcats often relied on a primary offensive option to lead the way, with other players filling supporting roles. Alexander’s roster presents an opportunity for a different dynamic, one in which several players could compete to become the team’s leading scorer.

That does not mean the Wildcats lack a potential star. It means they may not have to depend on one player to carry the entire team.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a first option for Casey Alexander.

Brandon Rechsteiner has emerged as a potential leader and leading scorer for the Wildcats.

There are several reasons to keep an eye on Rechsteiner. He was the only player on the current roster to average double-digit points per game last season, and he has been projected as a starter since joining Kansas State.

Rechsteiner also represented the Wildcats alongside Isaiah Abraham at Big 12 media day, signaling his importance to the program. Alexander reportedly suggested Rechsteiner could play around 30 minutes per game following a closed scrimmage against Tulsa, where he made eight 3-pointers.

If that shooting translates to game action, Rechsteiner could become a key piece of the Wildcats’ offense. His ability to space the floor and provide a consistent scoring option will be especially important as a new group learns to play together.

Who else will be notable this season?

Jaden Schutt is another expected starter, while Isaiah Abraham has continued to make a case for a spot in the starting lineup.

Abraham’s path to a starting role could depend on how he performs against the returning players and the competition within the roster. In a team with so many new faces, those roles will have to be earned through practice and game-day performance.

Andrej Kostic is my golden goose for the 2026-27 season.

Kostic arrived at Kansas State with high expectations and the potential to become one of the program’s most exciting players. The comparison to former Wildcat Michael Beasley, who was selected second overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, is an ambitious one. Mitch Richmond, selected fifth overall in 1988, is another reminder of the program’s history of producing high-level NBA talent.

However, Kostic’s potential will ultimately be measured by what he accomplishes on the court in Manhattan.

For now, the hope is that Kansas State has built a roster with enough internal competition to push players to improve while maintaining the chemistry needed to win.

If Rechsteiner can establish himself as a reliable offensive leader and Kostic can provide a scoring boost off the bench, the Wildcats could develop a rotation capable of challenging opponents throughout the Big 12.

That is what makes Friday’s exhibition against Missouri so important. It is the first opportunity to see how this new roster fits together, which players emerge as leaders, and how Alexander’s system translates to the court.

This team could surprise the Big 12, but it will take time to find out.

For now, consider Friday’s game a test drive. The Wildcats do not need to be a finished product in October. They need to show progress, establish their identity, and give fans a reason to believe in what this new era of Kansas State basketball could become.