Slate: K-State hoops this afternoon and tonight

Football

The defections continue from the K-State football roster, as redshirt sophomore defensive back Lance Robinson and four-year receiver Wykeen Gill announced their decisions to enter the transfer portal. Robinson penned a nice letter on social media, which is worth a read. The departures bring the total number of players who have announced intentions to leave the program since the beginning of the season to twelve.

In Sports Extra, Austin Siegel took a few minutes to appreciate Deuce Vaughn, highlighting his performance Saturday against Texas. The article includes video, complete with broadcaster Gus Johnson’s characteristically enthusiastic call.

Basketball

The men’s basketball team will play Fort Hays State tonight at 7:00. The game was added late last week to replace a scheduled matchup against mid-major power Butler that was canceled due to COVID-19. Fort Hays is 0-3, but has not lost a game by more than four points so far this season. Kellis Robinett gives the token preview for the Division II opponent.

Meanwhile, Coach Mittie and the women’s squad will play a rare mid-week matinee at 1:00 today in Bramlage, when they host the Idaho State Bengals.

Track and Field

After a nearly 10-month hiatus, the track squad finally got to line up and compete last weekend. Austin Siegel spotlights a handful of performances from the K-State Winter Invite.

Miscellaneous

Though not “K-State stories,” a couple of passings bear mention. Former Texas head coach Fred Akers, the successor to Darrell Royal, died yesterday at age 82. Akers compiled an impressive record of 86-31-2 as the Longhorns’ coach before being fired in 1986.

Also passing from our midst was US Air Force pilot and aviation pioneer Chuck Yeager. He was best known for being the first to break the sound barrier when he tested the rocket-powered Bell X-1 in 1947. Yeager was 97 years old.