KU, K-State Elite Eight matchup a possibility
Twenty years ago Kansas and Kansas State met in the Elite Eight in the NCAA basketball tournament.
If both schools win their first three games in the tournament this year, it would happen again.
In 1988 the Jayhawks went into the game as a six seed and the Wildcats a four.
Of course the 'Hawks won 71-58 and went on to become the second-lowest seeded team to win the national championship.
This year KU is a one seed in the Midwest region, and K-State an 11.
But don't think for one second the 'Cats can't make it far in the tournament.
With Michael "Jordan" Beasley on your team, anything can happen.
Yes, they lost 11 games. Yes, they were knocked out in their first game of the Big XII Tournament. And yes, their only signature win was at home against KU when the adrenaline was pumping like it never had before.
But if you look at their potential match-ups and factor in that they have the most talented player in the country in Beasley, anything can happen.
Their first-round opponent, Southern California, features another fantastic freshman in guard O.J. Mayo.
It could come down to which freshman plays better as to whose team advances.
A possible match-up against third-seeded Wisconsin would loom next.
The Badgers sport a gaudy record nearly every year, but they also come from a weak Big Ten Conference, and while their defense is tough, their offense doesn't even come close to the Wildcats'.
If they are to make it to the Sweet Sixteen round, number two-seed Georgetown would be waiting for them.
The experts would go with seven-footer Roy Hibbert and the Hoyas, but they have shown they can be beat by teams that are not supposed to do so. (See Pittsburgh's nine-point victory against them in the semis of the Big East Tournament).
Kansas of course would have to take care of business against Portland St., either UNLV or Kent St. in the second round, and then probably Clemson in the Sweet Sixteen.
If that were to happen, the state of Kansas would be in a frenzy that weekend, and Beasley could try and makeup for his incorrect prediction of a victory in Lawrence.
If the 'Hawks were to be victorious maybe it would start them on the similar path to the championship as it did 20 years ago.
If the match-up doesn't happen, I am hoping it is because the 'Cats didn't hold up their end of the bargain.
If it's the other way around, well, I don't want to think about that.
