The Univ. of Missouri and the Univ. of Kansas are "making plans to renew the Border War" with a men's basketball scrimmage at Sprint Center in K.C. next Sunday, with the "funds from ticket sales going to hurricane relief," according to Daniel Jones of the COLUMBIA DAILY TRIBUNE. Sports radio host Carrington Harrison of K.C.-based KCSP-AM had the "first report about the event." An email distributed to Mizzou Network radio affiliates said that the network "plans to broadcast a special program" from 3:00pm-5:30pm CT on Sunday, Oct. 22. There were no details on the program, but affiliates were told they "will be very happy with the content." Missouri and Kansas "haven’t met on the basketball court" since '12, MU's last year in the Big 12 (COLUMBIA DAILY TRIBUNE, 10/13). In Kansas, Matt Tait noted NCAA rules "allow teams to play two exhibition contests per season against non-Division I opponents, meaning KU and MU likely would need the permission of the NCAA -- be it in the form of a waiver or something similar -- in order to play the scrimmage and still stay within the rules." If it happens, KU Associate AD/Public Affairs Jim Marchiony said that "only players eligible" for the upcoming '17-18 season "would be allowed to play in the scrimmage" (LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD, 10/13). In Missouri, Alec Lewis in a front-page piece notes in '11, after the Joplin tornadoes, MU was "cleared to play in an exhibition against Missouri Southern to raise money for relief efforts" (Columbia MISSOURIAN, 10/13).
HASHTAG WINNING: In K.C., Vahe Gregorian writes the exhibition would be a "monumental breakthrough in a hallowed rivalry gone dormant and sour in the wake of MU’s move" to the SEC. It also has "win-win-win-win-win elements to it: for hurricane relief, for each school, for Kansas City and for a potential future." The game presumably would be a "financial bonanza for the cause." It would "energize the area and figures to intrigue and lure" KU fans who have "said good riddance to MU and have declared they want no part of resuming the rivalry." Gregorian: "For all the upside to this, though, this is merely a moment in time. And it won’t have much lasting meaning if it doesn’t become part of a future conversation between the schools" (K.C. STAR, 10/13).
