It is time for another round of Rapid Fire. Let’s GO!

-K-State’s 2024-25 basketball roster is complete after the signing of Illinois transfer forward Coleman Hawkins, who received an NIL deal of over two million dollars. Hawkins was considered the best player available in the portal, but if you’re like me, you’re asking yourself “Two million dollars?” Times are changin’ in college sports.

-K-Staters rejoiced on social media after the signing. I mean. “over-the-top” rejoicing. Like, this “dude” is a combination of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Lebron James rejoicing. I found it a bit strange considering I had never really heard of him.

-Dick Vitale was a fan of the signing, posting on X “A big day for @KstateMBB& @CoachJTangas they add to their impressive roster COLEMAN HAWKINS who has star ability. They r jumping with joy in Manhattan as Coach Tang is AWESOME BABY !” Free publicity from Vitale is always a good thing, but did you notice he said “star ability,” not “star?” A lot of players have “star ability” and never become stars. I may be making too much of that.

-Two million dollars for a transfer player who wasn’t going to get picked in the NBA draft and who averaged 12 points and six rebounds a game at Illinois? Is that the going rate now to compete?

-While K-State fans were busy celebrating this signing, I looked into it a bit further and realized that Jerome Tang’s class is still rated number seven in the Big 12. It could be better, could be worse. He will still have to mold this group of newcomers into a competitive team. It appears they have enough talent to return to the NCAA tournament. Will they? I have no idea. How is that for expert commentary?

-On Sunday, Jerome Tang offered a scholarship to the number one player in the country in 2025, forward AJ Dybantsa, a 6’9” small forward from Utah. How much NIL money is it going to take to get this kid?

-Five-star tight end recruit from Goodland, Kansas, Linkon Cure, is visiting K-State this weekend after visits to Kansas, Texas A&M, and Oregon. On3 has him as a 94.8% chance to land in Manhattan. Thank God. I’d be nervous if it was anything under 94.7%.

-I’m sure you’re thinking what I’m thinking. How much NIL money is it gonna take to get a commitment from Cure?

-Virginia, whom K-State baseball lost to in the super regional round of the college baseball playoffs, was two and out in the College World Series. They lost 3-2 to North Carolina and 7-3 to Florida State. The BatCats put up a good fight against Virginia, but they still have a ways to go before they can compete at the top of college baseball.

-Need some updated betting odds? K-State football is +7000 (bet a dollar, win 70) to win the College Football Playoff. K-State Men’s basketball is +10000 (bet a dollar to win 100) to win the NCAA tournament, and K-State Women’s basketball is +9000 (bet a dollar to win 90) to win the NCAA women’s tournament. Parlay all three together and the odds are +65256000. So you’re telling me there’s a chance?!