The Garden City Telegram

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SPORTS SOURCE: Sunflower Showdown blooms again

Published 2/5/2010 in Sports

When Bob Huggins was named the Kansas State men's basketball coach in 2006, most everyone in Big 12 Conference country knew that the Wildcats likely would be improved and competitive once again.

After all, he had been hugely successful at the University of Cincinnati where he propelled the Bearcats back into national prominence.

Little did everyone realize that his recruitment of top prep players, such as Michael Beasley, would catapult the Wildcats back onto the national scene of NCAA basketball in a hurry.

Also, there were questions about whether or not the long and storied rivalry with the Kansas Jayhawks would ever be as contested, intense and exciting as it had been in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. It had been a long drought for K-State fans in pursuit of the excellence down I-70 in Lawrence.

Everyone knew about the streak that KU had in Bramlage Coliseum. It sure as heck rankled the K-State fans that are my group of friends. It was something akin to having a burr under a saddle. Horses don't like those much and neither did the Wildcat fans appreciate the taunts of KU supporters over this amazing run at Bramlage.

So, on Jan. 30, 2008, with Beasley and mates carrying the Wildcat banner, KU finally was toasted at Bramalage, 84-75, and one of the wildest celebrations in Manhattan in many a year ensued. K-Staters rightfully had a reason to celebrate.

What that victory did, though, was more than just a one-night fan-fest for Wildcat faithful. It would be the beginning of the re-birth of Kansas State basketball.

For the long-standing fans it meant that they could anticipate with hope that the games would once again be competitive with the outcome in doubt.

In the past two seasons, coach Frank Martin, who replaced the demonstrative Huggins when he bolted for his alma mater, West Virginia, after one season in Manhattan, has solidified the fact that he was a terrific choice to become the 23rd KSU coach.

This year's Wildcat edition has everything an outstanding team would want, outstanding guard play, perimeter shooting from its forwards and a strong inside presence with tough rebounding and aggressive defense.

Those qualities were never more apparent than they were last Saturday in Manhattan when KU once again visited the "Octagon of Doom."

That night, the teams finally squared off in a nationally-televised game that didn't disappoint. The game had just a little of everything for the dramatic finish that ensued. Nobody could have scripted this finish that was claimed in overtime, 81-79, by Kansas.

The game proved once again that Kansas State is back on the national stage and competitive with any team that it steps on the floor to play. There may not have been any Lon Krugers, Mitch Richmonds or Rolando Blackman's on the floor for K-State Saturday night, but the group assembled by Martin has put the fire back in this storied rivalry. And that's good for all basketball fans in the Sunflower State.

Sports Editor Brett Marshall can be reached at bmarshall@gctelegram.com

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