Kansas State Fans Harshly React To Coleman Hawkins Cheering On Illinois
Kansas State's Coleman Hawkins was just enjoying the Illinois' Sunday afternoon matchup against Missouri. The former Fighting Illini forward commented on officiating interfering with the game.
🦓 show
— Coleman Hawkins (@colehawk23) December 22, 2024
But as one of the highest-paid collegiate athletes in the country, Hawkins will seemingly receive criticism for anything he does. Granted, the Wildcats are coming off a blowout loss to Wichita State Saturday night, where Hawkins had just six points on 22 percent shooting.
"Dude is pulling $2m to average 9.7ppg, shoot 50% from the FT line, and lead the team in turnovers," one user said. "My K-State wife hates you playing for her team and wants a refund.
Dude is pulling $2mm to average 9.7ppg, shoot 50% from the FT line, and lead the team in turnovers. My kstate wife hates you play for her team and wants a refund
— DallasTX (@DallasTX15023) December 22, 2024
As usual, Illinois fans were pleading for Hawkins to return to Champaign. They can't help but imagine the benefits for both parties if the star forward didn't depart.
Imagine if you stayed this year and we moved you to the 4 and kept Ivisic at the 5… the ball movement and floor spacing would be a thing of beauty.
— Illini Joe (@illini_joe) December 22, 2024
Ironically, they were more supportive of Hawkins in the comments than the Wildcats fans. Perhaps it's the recency bias or coasting on the memories of the past, but Illinois fans have seemingly supported Hawkins since arriving in Manhattan.
"He’s not closeted. He openly roots for them, and attended a game in an Illini letterman jacket," one fan said. "I’m glad he’s rooting for us!"
He’s not closeted. He openly roots for them, and attended a game in an Illini letterman jacket. I’m glad he’s rooting for us!
— Illini Dave (@ILLINICHAMPIONS) December 22, 2024
The Wildcats play the Cincinnati Bearcats (10-1) on Dec. 23 at 7:00 p.m. This will begin their slate of conference opponents.
Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
Jayden is a journalism school graduate of Howard University. He was the 2024 recipient of the Terez Paylor scholarship award. He previously worked at the Orlando Sentinel.