It was a full day at Sprint Center with four games at the Big 12 tournament yesterday. Let's break down yesterday's hits and misses.
Hit: Perry Jones III. There was a guy playing for Baylor who looked strangely like the projected NBA lottery pick that many were talking about before the season. PJIII had 20 points at half and was thoroughly dominant in leading Baylor to an easy win over Kansas State. This was the Jones that we all expected to be player-of-the-year in the Big 12.
Miss: Those Baylor uniforms. Goodness, these duds gave Oregon's football uniforms a run for the money. At times it looked like five large tennis balls moving around the court.
Hit: Texas' defense. It was UT's work on the defensive end which pushed them into a second half lead over Iowa State, which the Longhorns never relinquished. And, in the process, Texas may have played its way into the NCAA Tournament and given critics even more fodder for why Fred Hoiberg's choice, by Big 12 coaches, as co-coach of the year was a misguided pick versus the more deserving Frank Haith.
Miss: Why is the entry process into Sprint Center so tedious? Yes, I understand the desire to "wand" everyone as a security measure, but have more personnel and gates open. The entry system, in the morning, was very, very backed up.
Hit: Iowa State's fan base, as usual, showed up in full force and full throat. It's sad for the Kansas City economy that the Cyclones made an early exit from the tourney.
Miss: Also making an early exit was Kansas State. The 'Cats normally vocal fan base seemed oddly subdued yesterday morning. Perhaps it was the first game, early start blues.
Hit: Elijah Johnson. KU's "other" guard went 8-11 from the field and made five of five free throws for a career high 26 points against Texas A&M.
Miss: The Motel 6 kiss-cam promo on the Sprint Center videoboard is a head-shaker. Does anyone else find it a bit seamy that the "kiss cam" is sponsored by a motel chain?
And, finally, the biggest miss is the lack of food options that are available in between sessions on the second day of the tournament. Everyone must leave Sprint Center, in between sessions, and thus seek out places to imbibe in an adult beverage and grab a bite. There were lines even out of food joints like Chipotle, Consentino's Market and the Whopper Bar/Burger King. Restaurants which cater to the business lunch crowd didn't stay open which seems a huge miss for downtown Kansas City. Why not open up "pop up" food establishments for this weekend to help with the demand for food but lack of available and accessible options?
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