By KEVIN HASKIN
TopSports.news
Musings at the mid-month:
• My thoughts this week go back to when Kansas State hired Jerome Tang.
• From what could be college basketball’s epicenter, especially since Kansas is the reigning national champion, Bill Self applauded the move.
• Seems the two coaches maintain a healthy respect, which makes the clash Tuesday in Manhattan different than the last 10 years.
• Unexpected, of course, is how quickly Tang reshaped K-State into a team that appears as if it can compete favorably with any opponent.
• But then, KU is not just any opponent.
• The K-State men’s basketball coaches who won their first meetings against KU: Frank Martin (2008), E.A. Knoth (1921) and Mike Ahearn (1907).
• The dominance in this series amazes me since I’m old enough to remember many games considered tossups.
• Not old enough to meet Ahearn, though I saw and covered games in the fieldhouse named for him.
• In modern times, the Jayhawks seemingly soar each season while the Cats tend to arc or dip.
• Last weekend, KU put on a reunion celebrating 125 years of basketball that featured four coaches spanning 60 years.
• Just four, mind you, all with Final Four appearances.
• Self would deny it, but he’s the best of them.
• The consistently high level KU plays at is unmatched in college hoops, especially along a 125-year timeline.
• But the reunion ended, and former players and coaches flew home.
• Next up? A polar opposite engagement for the Jayhawks.
• First, they edge Iowa State before an appreciative throng captivated by all the ceremonious tradition a program can celebrate.
• Three days later, they face the most hostile and loudest road environment they will play in all season.
• What’s that, Missouri? Nope, not even close. What you’ve got, once called a paper rivalry, is now an internet rivalry.
• And you’re the ones with the bad connection as SEC members.
• KU could beat K-State as convincingly as it did MU.
• The Jayhawks got off to a fast start in Columbia and the Tigers never had a chance.
• If K-State plays like it did at TCU, the same thing could happen and they could be out of it early.
• It happens more times than K-Staters like to count in the Sunflower series.
• Will Tang make a difference? Every indication, except for the letdown at TCU, is he can.
• The sellouts K-State will generate during Big 12 play are proof.
• But K-State better convert at the rim, guard the arc and not allow a huge rebounding differential.
• Otherwise, KU will run after stops, knock down 3s and find a way to control the glass.
• Precisely two weeks later, we get to see the rematch at KU. Odd scheduling.
• Clock management hurt each of the ousted AFC wild-card teams.
• The Chargers, because Austin Ekeler could not gain a rushing yard in the second half.
• The Ravens, because they took so long to get off a snap once the clock dipped inside 1 minute.
• And the Dolphins, because … what was it Mike McDaniel was vaping? Dude, the play clock has been around a while.
• Practically all the NFL pregame yappers treated Miami quarterback Skylar Thompson like partisan news channels treat presidents they oppose.
• The former K-State star made mistakes, but so did overmatched linemen, unsure receivers and a sedated coach.
• We still get the Bills hosting the Bengals in the divisional round, but neither looked sharp in their victories. Bet each play better in the divisional round.
• Damar Hamlin, and his recovery, will be the difference for Buffalo. That, and Bills Mafia.
• Doug Pederson gives the Jaguars a chance in Arrowhead. That, and Trevor Lawrence seems to improve with each game, or each half, based on the Jags’ comeback playoff win.
• Don’t laugh too hard at the Chargers’ collapse.
• We can go into the vault and find plenty of playoff meltdowns by the Chiefs.
• Never quite sure a bye is all it’s made out to be in the NFL playoffs, except for the chance to heal injuries or not absorb more.
• Regardless, I’ve got the Chiefs advancing to … checking … Atlanta to play the Bills.
• Mid-season tournament week, a favorite of mine, is here for high school hoops.
• Time to watch wall-to-wall basketball. In town, that means the Topeka Invitational at Topeka West, where the Chargers will try to defend their tourney title.
• Want to read about the action? There’s only one website: Rick Peterson’s TopSportsNews.
• Old-time take: Remember when store clerks didn’t complain openly about customers, hours worked, or the time they clock out?
