Good morning West Texans and all you good, fine, friendly folks out there who wish you were. . .

There aren’t many times I’d say it is a great day to be in Kansas City in mid-March but this is one of those times. With the Tech men taking on #1 Kansas and the Lady Raiders getting Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament for the first time since an emotional semi-final win in Dallas back in 2003 you’ve got a day of drama and hope.

With their win over Colorado yesterday the Tech men proved they haven’t quit or the season or their coach. It was an important win for Pat Knight to show that his team was still working hard and hadn’t tuned him out. It was debatable after last weekends no-show in Boulder when the Red Raiders looked like a team ready to go on Spring Break.

Now with a first round win in K.C. I think Tech’s played their way into the N.I.T. I hate the N.I.T. but someone from the Big 12 has got to play in it so it might as well be Tech.

As for their chances against Kansas, just look back to a year ago and what Baylor did with their upset. Since then the Bears have been on a tear. winning 30 games. Not saying Tech pulls off what might be the biggest upset in school history or at least since 1970, but anything can happen in March.

The Lady Raiders can take the confidence of having beaten Kansas State in Manhattan a few weeks ago before free-falling during their final three games and putting themselves firmly out of the NCAA Tournament going to K.C. Right now it would most likely take a win today and a win over undefeated Nebraska to get back into the NCAA Tournament picture. The bubble on the women’s side is just as soft as the men’s side when it comes to teams getting in. If Jordan Murphree, Ashley Roberson and Kierra Mallard all show up today Tech will get their shot at Nebraska. If not . . .

If you happen to be reading this in Kansas City I heartily encourage you to head over to Arthur Bryant’s BBQ for some great eats. They also have some of the best fries you’re going to get anywhere. Make sure you go to the original by the way. That’ll be one of the things I’ll miss most about the Tournament up there this year. (That and a certain craps table at Harrah’s, but that is a different story for another day!)

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HYATT