Kansas State basketball coach Bruce Weber open to recurring game against Missouri at Sprint Center

Kansas State men’s basketball coach Bruce Weber expects the Wildcats to play Missouri in the semifinals of the CBE Classic this November at the Sprint Center.

Nothing will be certain until the tournament announces its matchups later this summer, but Weber can already picture the setting. He sees a well-attended game with fans on both sides of the state line converging on Kansas City. Should that vision become reality on Nov. 23, he thinks it could signal the start of a recurring game between the former conference rivals.

“We have talked about it,” Weber told The Star. “It could work as a game in Kansas City, maybe every couple of years, because if we have that game it makes sense for both of us.”

Though a potential Kansas City series between K-State and Missouri is not the border rivalry many in the region have clamored for since the Tigers left the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference — Kansas has shown no interest in playing Missouri — it would be an intriguing arrangement.

Weber stressed K-State and Missouri have merely had informal conversations about a series, but he sees its merits. He was part of a similar series with Missouri, the Braggin’ Rights game in St. Louis, when he coached Illinois.

“It is not a definite by any means, but we have talked about it,” Weber said. “We will see what happens this year with the CBE. If it looks like it was a good thing and a success and we have officially broken the barrier of them leaving, that kind of stigma, then maybe we can move forward with it.”

Given the sensitive nature of the subject, Weber said athletic director John Currie would likely decide whether to begin formally discussing a series.

“That would be his call more than it would be my call,” Weber said.

Weber said Missouri coach Kim Anderson first mentioned the possibility of a recurring game when he realized the Wildcats and Tigers could face each other next season. Both teams were in the Maui Invitational a year ago.

“I have known Kim for years,” Weber said. “He came up under Norm Stewart and I am came up under Gene Keady at Purdue. We always talk, and one night he said, ‘Hey, it looks like we will play next year. Would you like to do it in the future?’ He just thought it would be a great game.”

K-State and Missouri last played in 2012, a 78-68 victory for the Wildcats at Mizzou Arena. K-State leads theseries 119-116.

Missouri has played two former Big 12 rivals, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, since switching conferences.

For now, K-State is interested in becoming the third.

“It makes sense, especially if they want to play in Kansas City,” Weber said. “Maybe we could do it every other year, so we don’t have a road game to return and that helps us schedule. Again, it is not definite. We have not done anything more than talk about it. Obviously, though, it makes sense.”

This story was originally published June 12, 2015 at 10:46 AM with the headline "Kansas State basketball coach Bruce Weber open to recurring game against Missouri at Sprint Center."