There are a lot of topics to discuss regarding K-State sports, so it is a great time for another installment of Rapid Fire. Here we GO!

-The K-State men’s basketball team was fun to watch last year. This year, not so much.

-K-State beat Chicago State 62-55 on Tuesday night. Chicago State is 7-13 on the year and is ranked 305th in the KenPom ratings. K-State came out looking lethargic and struggled to score throughout the game. Without Cam Carter’s 19 points, the Wildcats may have lost.

-K-State shot 21% from three-point range. The “best shooter in America,” Tylor Perry, was one of four from three-point range and one of six from the field overall.

-Head coach Jerome Tang calling Perry “the best shooter in America” prior to the season is hands down the biggest piece of hyperbole I’ve ever heard a coach put on a player. Perry isn’t even the best three-point shooter on the team. Of players averaging over 20 minutes a game, Perry is second on the team (31%) to Arthur Kaluma (35%). Overall shooting? He’s 5th on the team, behind every other starter. Ouch.

-I’m not trying to be antagonistic, but maybe the coach shouldn’t heap so many expectations on a transfer player like he did.

-K-State is 10-3 going into conference play this Saturday against UCF. I wouldn’t bet the mortgage that this Wildcat team will make the NCAA tournament. I wouldn’t even bet five bucks on it.

-Meanwhile, Nae’Qwan Tomlin, who was dismissed from the team by University President Richard Linton, transferred to Memphis and was cleared instantly to play for the Tigers. He had 15 points and 15 rebounds in his last game. Double ouch.

-I’ve heard the story about Tomlin’s incidents and departure from a few separate and reliable sources. I’ll say this. It didn’t have to go down this way. Tomlin should still be playing for K-State.

-Based on what I have heard, I would be surprised if Jerome Tang remains as K-State’s basketball coach after this season. If he has a better offer, I think he will bolt. If he doesn’t have a better offer than his current situation, he may stay. There remains some animus between Tang and Linton.

-Gene Taylor is also reportedly unhappy with how the situation played out. What if K-State loses Tang, Taylor, and, as a result, Chris Klieman because of an overreaching University President? K-State sports may not recover for a very long time.

-The Pop-Tarts Bowl was fun to watch. K-State won against a solid North Carolina State team, and Avery Johnson looked pretty good running the offense.

-Offensive line coach Conor Riley served as interim offensive coordinator for the game. I was less than impressed with the playcalling, but help may be on the way with rumors that ex-Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells is in talks with K-State to come in to be co-offensive coordinator with Riley for the 2024 season. If the rumors are true, this is a home run hire for K-State. Wells has plenty of experience and brings a lot more to the table than just playcalling abilities.

-While Riley and Wells are both solid coaches, Avery Johnson will likely make both look like geniuses for the next few years.

-Looking at the new Big 12 in football, K-State is definitely a contender to win the league in 2024. Who else might take it? Arizona? Utah? Oklahoma State? The league appears wide open for a solid program like K-State to win it.

-If the Wildcats win the Big 12, it means a playoff appearance next fall. I can’t wait to sit and watch the new 12-team playoff.

-Speaking of the playoff, I thought we would see Alabama and Texas win their semifinal games. I underestimated how good Washington is with Penix running the show at quarterback. He was sensational against Texas and is going to give Michigan all they can handle.

-I am predicting Washington 42 Michigan 41 in a thriller.

-There are rumors that Will Howard is visiting Ohio State and may possibly transfer there. To think some K-State fans wanted Howard permanently benched for Avery Johnson in the middle of the season, and now he may go and start for Ohio State next fall? It is crazy to think about.

-K-State has 60 to-one odds to win the college football playoff next season. Now that is a bet that might be worth putting five bucks on! But don’t bet the mortgage.

-Happy New Year, everyone!