Klieman addresses media

Previously on BotC...

Although we’ve been a bit lax in getting a daily Slate up the last few days, our staff has been busy generating plenty of other content to keep you busy during this shared pandemic-induced sports-free spring.

Jon Morse surveyed the staff for a list of Iowa State standouts we don’t hate. This wasn’t a particularly difficult exercise, considering we only sort of hate the Cyclones, and also because one of the names that made the list has his name on Iowa State’s football stadium.

Although real live college football remains in our distant future at this point, recruiting continues apace. Drew Schneider took time to review the 2021 recruiting class, already off to an excellent start.

Finally, Luke Sobba offered his thoughts on the 2002 Kansas State football team. According to this staff’s elder-ish statesman, the 2002 squad is the best Wildcat team to never win an actual title. He makes a strong case, but watch this site for a rebuttal or two. We have receipts!

Sports

We’re still in stasis as far as actual sports, but there is a slow trickle of college sports-related information.

Chris Klieman spoke to the media on Friday via Zoom, and offered his thoughts on the current situation. Although the players and the staff have not met in person for a long time now, the offense and defense have daily online meetings, and also work with academic counselors, strength and conditioning staff, and the team nutrition experts. Klieman also has regular remote meetings with his staff.

Two things stood out in Klieman’s comments. First, Skylar Thompson has shown real leadership in this strange time, reaching out to teammates and challenging them to stay in shape and stay caught up with the playbook. Second, and more significantly, Klieman believes practice can begin on August 1 as planned if the players are back on campus by July 13. This is an interesting twist, because the university has extended its prohibition on face-to-face gatherings on campus until July 31.

In other football news, Kansas State found a tight end in the transfer portal. Briley Moore, formerly of Northern Iowa, will be eligible to play immediately for the Wildcats. He chose Kansas State over Missouri and Baylor. Moore is a Blue Springs South High product, and many current Wildcats already know him.

Next weekend is the NFL Draft. Kansas State’s 26-year draft streak is the longest in the Big 12, but is it in jeopardy this year? Draft guru Mel Kiper thinks so, especially with no Wildcats invited to the NFL combines this year. Then again, Kiper also thinks that James Gilbert, Scott Frantz, and Nick Kaltmayer, could hear their names called in the seventh round. Fingers crossed that a Wildcat makes it and keeps the streak alive.

In basketball news, Seryee Lewis and Rudi Williams are the newest signees for the men’s team. Bruce Weber spoke to the media via Zoom on Wednesday and offered this thoughts on the two players, as well as on a number of other topics. Apparently, DaJuan Gordon was instrumental in bringing Lewis to K-State, and Weber expects him to fill the role of an athletic forward. Williams, meanwhile, is a shirtless (lol) phenom, who could be productive in the point guard role and can also be defense.

Meanwhile, Kansas State star Peyton Williams was not selected in last night’s WNBA Draft. She now has her basketball future pinned on the free agent market and will look to make training camp somewhere.

Finally, some sobering news from the world of sports writing. Vox, the parent company of SB Nation has furloughed several of its national writers for at least the next three months, including Matt Brown, Spencer Hall, and most of the writers associated with Banner Society. This is a strange time to not have sports, but it’s an even stranger time for those whose livelihoods depend on having sports. Then again, these writers will not struggle to find work (maybe via crowdfunding), because great writing is still a thing. Solidarity.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the outdoors! Stay safe and healthy!