Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger calls spying allegations in Kansas State game ‘ludicrous’

AMES — Iowa State men’s basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger delivered a statement after Saturday’s 79-75 win over No. 7 Kansas he didn’t want to make.

But regional and national news reports that featured allegations leveled at his team that it had spied on Kansas State’s coaches and players during timeouts in Wednesday’s 78-67 win over the Wildcats compelled him to speak up.

“The ludicrous rumors earlier this week that somehow we were trying to gain an advantage (by) looking into our opponent’s huddles is an affront to our players, our fans, and to me,” Otzelberger said to begin his postgame news conference. “It’s not who I am. It’s not what our program’s about. And I am angry that someone would even make that suggestion.”

The initial report on the situation, citing unnamed sources, appeared in the Kansas City Star and the Wichita Eagle, but later spread to national media outlets, which prompted Otzelberger to respond.

“What is factual, is one of their staff members cursed out one of our student managers who was mopping the floor under the basket,” Otzelberger said. “So let’s put this to bed here and now. It didn’t happen, it won’t happen, and others need to be much more careful with their words moving forward.”

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