K-State’s biggest rival
Well, here we are. Undefeated in the conference, and about to play one of the biggest games of the season. I have to say, that I was a bit worried about a couple of our opponents so far, but I was expecting we would be in this position at this point. Now, we will have to play one of the biggest games of the season, against our most bitter rival: Missouri.
A lot of people are highly anticipating the upcoming game versus Kansas being a big game for K-state. I don’t see it as that big of a game for two reasons: First, KU isn’t even our biggest rival, that honor belongs to Missouri. Second, K-State holds a clear advantage and will absolutely dominate this game.
For those of you that would like to think that KU is somewhat of a rivalry game because the two schools are in the same state, well, we’ll just have to agree to disagree. There really is no comparing the two schools. K-State has long ago proven themselves to have one of the most storied traditions is basketball, while KU has used gimmicks (hiring the original inventor of basketball) and mimicry (building Allen Fieldhouse) to try to chase K-State’s legacy. K-State’s notoriously moribund football program was resurected by Bill Snyder, in what is referred to as the greatest turnaround in college football history and has enjoyed season after season of success (okay, except for last season, we were beaten by KU, we were obviously terrible). KU’s notoriously moribund football program had a good season last year…achieved by hiring a graduate assistant that used to work for Bill Snyder. I’m not going to go too far into academics, because we are discussing sports here, but let me say this: K-State has some of the most talented students and teachers in the country and no other school in the state can even come close to matching their academic excellence. If you want to get a real education in Kansas, go to K-state.
On the basketball court, K-State’s Michael Beasley has no equal. Not on KU’s roster, not on anyone’s roster. If there was some kind of man, let’s say a superman, that was capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound, or melting objects with his eyes, one super power he could never possess would be the ability to guard Michael Beasley. That is a proven fact. Seriously, a superman did actually come and try to defend Beasley one time and he was horribly humiliated, and was forced to retreat to some kind of ice fortress in the Arctic.
Then there is Bill Walker. I’m not saying that Bill Walker is better than Beasley or anything, but let’s be honest. We should all take a second, take a deep breath and be thankful that Beasley and Walker are on the same team. No one can be sure what would happen if they were to one day play against each other, but most scientists agree it would result in some kind of strange, post-Beasley-Walker-apocalyptic universe that none of us ever want to even begin to imagine. Has anyone seen Soylent Green? I digress.
The point is this: I can’t wait for Wednesday to be over. After we beat KU, we can get on to the real game at hand - Missouri. I’m liking the things that Mike Anderson is bringing to Missouri and I think they represent a tremendous challenge for K-State. Since it is a immense rivalry for us, it adds an extra level of meaning. Honestly, I wonder if there will be a better game this year. Two quality teams, classic rivals, going to toe to toe between the lines. That is what college basketball is all about.
I can’t wait for Saturday.