The fourth-ranked Kirkwood Eagles edged Iowa Central, 63-61, in an NJCAA region championship game Saturday at Johnson Hall. to clinch a spot in the National Junior College Athletic Associationl tournament.

Watch what you wish for,” Tom Izzo said. “I’ve seen this happen at a couple of football programs close to us. People better appreciate (him)."

The modern landscape of college sports is transient in nature. That makes Fran McCaffery and Tom Izzo among outliers.

Hawkins has earned the respect of K-State fans over the past week. He has proven his toughness by returning from a serious injury after a three-game absence to lead the Wildcats to a gritty road win over Cincinnati. Then he gave K-State four points, nine rebounds and five assists in a losing effort against Iowa State.

Two top-25 programs in college basketball will meet on Saturday night when Arizona goes to Ames, Iowa, to take on a great Iowa State team.