Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are known for executing trick plays to perfection, which could be the reason why Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang credited the quarterback with inspiring his basketball team on Sunday.
The Kansas State Wildcats defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 75-69 to reach the Sweet 16 stage of the NCAA Tournament, also known as March Madness.
During the final seconds of action, three Kansas State players lined up out of bounds as the inbounds player stood to their right.
Kentucky looked confused about what was happening, similar to how some Chiefs opponents feel when they face Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid.
“We actually call it ‘Mahomes,'” Tang said. “Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Super Bowl champion, Kansas City Chiefs.”
Heres Jerome Tang on Kansas States bubble screen inbound play inspired by #Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. pic.twitter.com/h2encevQVD
? PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) March 19, 2023
Kansas State, last local team left
This is not the first time Tang uses the play seen against Kentucky, which essentially serves as a double-screen to waste a few more seconds before getting fouled.
It’s also used to inbounds the ball to a certain player in crunchtime of a close contest.
The play in question was first used by Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew when Tang was his assistant.
Kansas State is the last program left from Kansas or Missouri in the 2023 NCAA Tournament after both KU and Mizzou were eliminated in the second round.