Kansas State can point to newcomers such as PJ Haggerty as a reason the Wildcats are off to their best start since the program last made the NCAA Tournament in 2022-23.

But as the Wildcats (4-0) prepare to face Mississippi State as part of the four-team Hall of Fame Classic on Thursday in Kansas City, Mo., returnee David Castillo again figures to play a prominent role.

A heralded recruit who struggled as a freshman a season ago, Castillo is averaging 13.5 points per game for a Kansas State attack that is averaging 93.5 points per contest.

When the Wildcats were down by one to Tulsa on Monday with 24 seconds to play, teammate Khamari McGriff came up with a turnover. He promptly fed Castillo, who despite a poor shooting night calmly cut to the hoop and connected on the game-winning layup

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