Border War, KU vs. Missouri, returns in TBT game: ‘The essence of college basketball’

Former Kansas sensation Keith Langford, who went 8-2 against rival Missouri in Border War men’s basketball battles during his college playing days, was asked before the start of the 2023 TBT what it’d be like to be matched against the Tigers in the final tournament of his pro basketball career.

“It’s the essence of college basketball and rivalries. It’d be awesome to feel that one more time, especially playing the game in the state of Kansas,” said Langford, a 39-year-old, soon-to-be retired shooting guard from Fort Worth, Texas.

His 15 points in a first-round Mass Street TBT victory over We Are D-III on Wednesday — combined with Show Me Squad’s 96-90 victory over a UNLV alumni team — helped propel KU’s Mass Street TBT into a second-round alumni game against Mizzou at 3 p.m., Saturday at Koch Arena in Wichita. It will be streamed live on ESPN+.

The winner advances into Sunday’s 2 p.m. regional final (ESPNU). The loser is finished in the single-elimination, $1 million winner-take-all 64-team event.

“I just think it represents a very, very unique opportunity and I keep using that word (opportunity). That’s the only word that comes to mind because I don’t know where else or how else to describe it,” Langford said. “We can simulate that feeling for players and for fans who still have some memories of the past games. We really know what those games are like.”

He has indicated he will retire from pro hoops at the conclusion of the 2023 TBT.

Former KU guard Tyshawn Taylor, who went 6-2 against the Tigers from 2008 to 2012, hopes to return from a calf injury to play in Saturday’s contest.

“That game is always going to mean something to me,” Taylor said. “Missouri is always going to be Missouri for me, even if KU was never going to play them again or they are not in the same conference.

“Those games are so special, especially that last year. Those games between us in 2012 for me were some of the best games I’ve ever played in to date. So it’s always going to be special for me.”

Taylor, a 33-year-old guard with NBA and overseas experience, scored nine of KU’s 12 points in overtime in the Jayhawks’ 87-86 victory over Missouri on Feb. 25, 2012, at Allen Fieldhouse in the teams’ final regular-season meeting as members of the same conference.

Taylor hit a pair of free throws with 0:08 left in OT to help assure the KU victory.

Earlier that season, KU dropped a 74-71 decision to the Tigers in Columbia, meaning the teams went 1-1 in that final season in which the Tigers were in the Big 12.

The two teams did not play again until rekindling the rivalry two seasons ago. KU is 2-0 versus MU with four games left to play in the current six-game, six-year series between the Big 12 and SEC squads.

Taylor went 2-2 in Columbia, 4-0 at Allen to account for his 6-2 mark against Mizzou.

“I’m sure fans have memories as well,” Taylor said. “This is unique because it’s a KU-Missouri matchup in the summertime in the state of Kansas. People who actually know what it means will actually be in attendance, and people who know what it means will actually be playing.

“Even if it’s a pickup game or for something like the TBT, I think it’ll always be great,” Taylor noted.

On Wednesday, Missouri’s alumni team in its 96-90 victory over UNLV was led by guard Erick Neal’s 24 points and nine rebounds. Guard Isiaih Mosley scored 23 points and dished five assists while forward Jontay Porter had 21 points and 15 rebounds. Also, Tony Criswell had 13 points and eight rebounds, Kevin Hervey scored 10 points and Timothy Holyfield had five. Paul Pressey and Benny Sternberg did not score.

KU’s team in its 70-67 victory over We Are D-III was fueled by 21 points and 15 rebounds from Thomas Robinson, 17 points from Mario Little and 15 points from Langford. Kevin Young had five points and six rebounds, while Lagerald Vick had three points. Brandon Rush scored three points and Jamari Traylor had two points.

Mitch Lightfoot did not score in seven minutes. KU could have three additional players Saturday in Taylor, plus Mario Chalmers and Dedric Lawson, who suited up but did not play in the first-round contest.