The Jayhawks are back on track now.

While KState backers are still taking out full-page ads in local papers to celebrate the Wildcats 1-24 record against KU at THEIR HOUSE, the Jayhawks just won another big one.

Yeah, Baylor’s now a BIG one (17-5 overall, and 5-3 in the Big 12). Looking back to the last few years, who would have thought it. . .

But I give credit where credit’s due, and Baylor is the deal this year.

Final score was KU 100 — Baylor 90. Halftime score was KU 36 — Baylor 33. What a second half! Note to Jayhawk fans: that was 100 points, with NO three-point shots made.

Next up for the Jayhawks (23-1 overall, and 8-1 in the Big 12) . . . Texas.

As for Baylor. . . all respect for Coach Scott Drew and his up-and-coming program. Bringing that program from the depths of disgrace to where they are now is an amazing act of leadership. Kudos!

Okay, so the Jayhawks had to return to Lawrence with their wings clipped after losing to the Wildcats of Kansas State in Bramlage Coliseum for the FIRST TIME IN 25 YEARS. Jayhawk fans had to watch a sea of purple-clad students storm the court while Wildcat Superstar Michael Beasley and Wildcat Runner-Up Superstar Bill Walker danced on the press tables and waved their jerseys in the air.

They were all doing the happy dance in the Little Apple. In fact, it wasn’t more than an hour after the victory that Ballard’s Sporting Goods, in Manhattan’s Aggieville, was selling t-shirts emblazoned with the score of the game. A regular season game, mind you.

And here in Lawrence there have been an obnoxiously larger than normal number of people sporting purple Wildcat gear around town in the last few days, daring us to sneer at them, as we usually feel quite free to do — particularly during basketball season.

Well, I didn’t like it at all, but I tried to understand and appreciate the hoopla surrounding this Wildcat victory. As a KU fan, I’ve never had to experience the humiliation of having one of our BIGGEST rivals come and beat us IN ALLEN FIELDHOUSE for 24 years straight. The Wildcat nation has, though, and there was no shame in their game as they rode the high.

To Wildcat fans, I say “Carpe Diem” (that means “seize the day,” guys). Hell, it’ll probably be ANOTHER 24 years before KState can repeat the series of questionable hires that resulted in Walker, and then the incomparable Beasley, gracing the middle of nowhere with their fleeting presences. I have to wonder if anyone in the Wildcat Nation is acknowledging THESE brutal probabilities: Michael Beasley is projected to be the #1 NBA draft pick in 2008 (translation for KStaters: he won’t be wearing a Wildcat uniform next year); Bill Walker will probably enter the NBA draft as well (projected as a mid- to late-first-round pick); the KState recruiting class of 2008-2009 is JUST THIS SIDE OF NONEXISTENT at this point in time.

But it’s still 2008, and the Wildcats have a season to finish. There are games to be played, and won, if January 30, 2008, was any indication.

As it happens, one of those games was played today. The Wildcats headed for Mizzou, hoping to carry the momentum of their HISTORIC win against the Jayhawks with them.

And . . .

They lost. To a Tiger team that was short two of their starters in the aftermath of a recent nightclub after-hours altercation. Now, that’s what I call a buzz-kill.

For Wildcat Nation.

However, it’s probably one of the few times in history that KU fans have cheered for Mizzou.

The Jayhawks, on the other hand, headed for Colorado today for a date with the Buffaloes. Not spooked by the loss that ended their streak of 20 victories, the ‘Hawks were back to their winning ways, beating the ‘Buffs 72-59.

All is now right with the world. And the Wildcats still have to face the music in Allen Fieldhouse on March 1st.