Yawn: Matchups for Kansas basketball, Big 12 in SEC challenge

Kansas basketball will see a former conference opponent in the fifth annual Big 12/ SEC Challenge. The matchups announced Thursday seem boring.

Kansas basketball fans are spoiled.

After watching the Jayhawks roll over Kentucky the past two seasons, a game with Texas A&M is not that exciting. The Aggies won 16 games last season. The contest might provide a mental break for Bill Self and the team.

The fifth annual Big 12 SEC Challenge is scheduled for January 27, 2018. Once again, right in the middle of the Big 12 round robin schedule.

As a matter of fact, I am not at all thrilled with this made for TV basketball event on a late January weekend without football to watch – but that’s show biz.

Sonic drive in pay big bucks to help sponsor this. That’s all you need to know.

ESPN loves the programming and needs the cash.

I am not excited about the matchups announced on Thursday. However, it will be nice to see the Aggies back at Allen Fieldhouse.

First of all, did anyone consider a Kansas State- South Carolina matchup?

There are many reasons to watch that one. Instead, Frank Martin will have to travel to Lubbock- the place that reminded former Tech football coach Tommy Tuberville of Iraq.

I’d love to see Martin back in Manhattan.

The full schedule released Thursday

"Oklahoma at AlabamaGeorgia at Kansas StateBaylor at FloridaTexas Tech at South CarolinaTCU at VanderbiltOklahoma State at ArkansasKentucky at West VirginiaOle Miss at TexasTennessee at Iowa StateTexas A&M at Kansas"

In addition, I think it would be fun to watch former Texas coach Rick Barnes take the Tennessee orange back to the land of burnt orange.

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By the same token, how about scheduling Vanderbilt’s Bryce Drew in a battle with his brother Scott at Baylor?

In light of this weak schedule, ESPN did a poor job managing these pairings.

The only good thing- No game for Missouri.