Holy sh*t I went to the greatest basketball school EVER

I'm done mourning KU's untimely loss. I'm moving on and after some choice comments from the ever classy MU fans and other people who just love to hate on KU at every misstep, I needed something to pick me up; remind me of how good great KU really is. So, I started digging around...

Here are some facts taken from the Wikipedia entry for KU Men's Basketball. If there was ever any doubt that KU is THE blue-blooded, undisputed alpha dog of NCAA Men's college basketball, just read this and if you're still not convinced then you're an idiot. In no particular order of importance with some pretty unbelievable facts highlighted for your convenience...

• Kansas leads Division I in all-time in conference titles with 53 in 103 years of conference play
• In the last two decades (ending with the 2009-2010 season), no team won more games than the Jayhawks, who won 571 games
• KU has the longest current streak of consecutive NCAA tournament appearances with 21

 sidenote: The NCAA Tournament was created in 1939 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and was the brainchild of coach Phog Allen (you're welcome, college basketball fans)

• Since the NCAA began seeding the tournament in 1979, KU has never been lower than an 8 seed (their average seed is a 3) and since that time KU has only missed the tournament 5 times
• Second-longest current streak of winning seasons, at 27
• First among Division I schools in winning seasons, conference championships and first-team All Americans
• Second in wins with 2003
• First in NCAA history with 91 winning seasons.
• KU has had the fewest head coaches (eight) of any program that has been around 100 or more years (the other "blue bloods" with 100+ year history: KY has had 22, UCLA 12 and UNC 18)
• They have reached the Final Four under more head coaches (six) than any other program in the nation
• Every head coach at Kansas since the inception of the NCAA Tournament has led the program to the Final Four
• Kansas has had four head coaches inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, more than any other program in the nation.
• Current longest home court wining streak @ 59
• 30 McDonald's All Americans
• 14 Academic All Americans
• 6 National Player of the Year honors
• 13 Final Four appearances
• 5 National Championships

Oh and it bears mention that KU is a magnet for college basketball coaching legends. Dean Smith and Adolph Rupp (2 of the greatest, coaches of all time) played @ KU under Phog Allen along with Dutch Lonborg, and Ralph Miller, all of whom have been inducted as coaches to the National Basketball Hall of Fame. In that regard, I guess Kentucky and UNC owe KU a pretty giant THANK YOU (they are, after all, the #1 and #3 winningest programs in NCAA history due mostly to the efforts of Rupp and Smith, respectively). How's this for small world: John Wooden helped build Memorial Stadium in 1929 after being recruited by Phog Allen to play @ KU. Oh and Larry Brown is the only coach to have won a championship in both the NCAA and NBA.

There you have it. Super stoked to be a Jayhawk it never ceases to amaze me at the excellence and tradition of Kansas Basketball.

Love for KU, as forged by playing in Basketball Band

There are 4 things that I truly love in this world:

Katie
My Family
Brisbane
The University of Kansas, most notably KU Basketball

I don't expect anybody to ever understand the last one on that list. There's a bond that was forged back in 1995 that continues as strong--if not stronger--to this day.

You see, every year I was @ KU I was in the Men's Basketball Band. I played at every home basketball game and traveled with the band to the Big 12 Tournament and NCAA Tournaments each year. I was spoiled. I came to expect that we would go to The Dance and with the exception of maybe 1 year KU was one of the 3-4 teams that the experts had picked to make a run to the Final Four. We never made the Final Four. In fact, in all but 1 year, KU was bounced in the round of 8 or earlier. So, you might say that the entire basketball experience was a disappointment but it was anything but. I'm a big "enjoy the journey, not the destination" sort of guy and the journey was filled with some pretty incredible moments that solidified my love for the University and the tradition of KU Basketball.

After a stinging loss to Rhode Island, their band had just finished playing some song and were celebrating wildly and we began to play our Alma Mater. About 3/4 through the song Rhode Island's band began playing some song (you're supposed to alternate playing songs); a shitty arrangement of an even shittier 70's or 80's uptempo tune, like Celebrate by Kool and the Gang. When we had finished and began packing our stuff I stormed to the other side of the court and got in the director's face and said "you're a f*cking no class asshole and you, your band and your University can go to hell..." He barked back at me and didn't think it was such a big deal to interrupt us during our alma mater and said I was out of line and their interruption showed no disrespect, which pretty much proved my point. After a generous middle finger and a few more pleasantries exchanged with him and other Rhode Island band folk I went back to mourn the loss and disappointment.

After that same loss I was standing with the rest of the band in the tunnel underneath the stands and Roy Williams exited the press room, tears flowing (as had become a common fixture of Roy Williams in the NCAA Tournament) and he walked towards us and shook our hands and as he shook my hand he looked me straight in the eyes with extreme sorrow and said "I'm sorry I let you down..." Jesus. Here's this guy who I looked up to as one of the greatest college coaches ever and he's sorry he let me down? Ugh...that was heavy.

Several years later when Roy bailed on KU to leave for UNC days after our loss in the national championship game to Syracuse, I wrote him a letter and told him that this time I was sorry he let me down. That's the kind of love and passion I have for Kansas Basketball...

In some way--large or small--I felt like a part of the tradition of the excellence that is KU Basketball and the University. I played a role in making the basketball experience a memorable one for each and every one of those players, coaches and fans. Allen Fieldhouse is a sort of place of worship for me. There were some incredible memories in that building, some tears of joy and sorrow and a lot of love shared by the rest of the people that were a part of that tradition both on and off the court, especially the countless friendships forged through playing in bball band.

When KU won the National Championship in 2008 I cried my brains out. Why? Because I was a part of that tradition. I helped make KU what it was in 2008 (however minuscule my impact may have been) and all my love and devotion to KU that had gone unfulfilled with a National Championship while I was there had finally come to fruition. I'd love to win that thing every year but even just winning it that 1 time was unbelievably special.

For all those reasons and hundreds more to list, I take anything KU very personally. Their loss in the 2nd round this past weekend was extremely difficult to handle. They were so good. They were hands down the best team @ KU in the past 15 years I've been a Jayhawk and head and shoulders better than any other team in the NCAA. Are they any worse of a team now? No way. The NCAA Tournament proves that the "best" team rarely wins. I'm extremely disappointed with their effort and that's what hurts. Had they played like they did in all but maybe 2 or 3 games this year there's not a team in the NCAA that can touch them. Sadly, they were out-hustled and outplayed by a team with nothing to lose and an incredible amount of luck on their side, which scrappy teams like UNI need to win games and I applaud them for their efforts; they deserved to win. It wasn't KU's day, plain and simple, and it came at the most inopportune time.

So, for all the KU haters out there... Ya know what: you're right that KU totally screwed the pooch; have your fun. But realize in the process that you're proving you're no different than Rhode Island's band: classless. Oh don't get me wrong, I loathe MU but I save that for when we meet. I'll talk all the shit I can when KU/MU meet or we play some other rival but any other time I'll keep my mouth shut, save for the funny harmless little joke here and there...but no hate. Hell, every year during the NCAA's I root for ALL Big 12 teams and their success until we meet (including MU); then I'm ready to kick your ass. We're all on the same team (Big 12) and what's the point in rooting for some other team's demise if you're not playing them?

I guess maybe I hold KU to a higher standard; one that's respectful of rivals, that doesn't engage in pointless mockery and hate for the purpose of being...well, hateful. KU always has and always will be the good guy and the good guy knows when his opponent is defeated and let's them stew in their misery, alone. I root FOR KU not against MU or some other team; that's a big distinction of school pride that I think is lost on many people out there and that's too bad. There's a finite amount of energy out there, so why waste it on all the negativity?

In the end, I'm proud to be a Jayhawk; to be part of a tradition of excellence that's enviable enough that rivals and jealous folks feel it necessary to point out at every misstep that you failed, whilst ignoring their own traditions of mediocrity, jealousy and hate. It was a really fun season to watch with an extremely disappointing ending but that's how it goes sometimes. I'm excited for next year and every year of KU Basketball, no matter the expectations or outcome, because KU Basketball is more than just X's and O's...it's all about LOVE.

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK

It's basketball season

As KU's football team lost it's 4 game in a row this weekend to their intrastate rival K-State, I was reminded of one thing:

It's basketball season

THIS is the KU sports I remember. Hoops is king, football sucks. I guess the difference this year compared to my years in Lawrence is that a 5-4 season is a disappointment not an accomplishment like it used to be. KU will always be a basketball school first, football second. Sadly, no matter how well the football team does it will always be second fiddle to hoops.

I'm bummed that the football team is playing late-90's KU football, but I'm not really that bummed out because it's basketball season. I watched a pre-season game versus Ft. Hays State last tuesday and will probably watch the final pre-season matchup this Tuesday as well. I just don't care about KU football once basketball starts. I never have and I probably never will. The Orange Bowl victory a couple years ago was great but I never really keep up with the team after mid-October. I don't live in Kansas anymore and keeping up with the team and individual players is difficult and the only chance I ever get to watch a game is if it's nationally broadcast. Same thing for basketball, but probably 1/3 or more of the bball team's games can be seen and if you want to go to a bar with the NCAA hoops ticket you can easily watch every game.

I'm sure there will be many KU basketball posts in the months to come of what promises to be a fantastic group of players embarking on a journey that hopefully will end with another NCAA championship.

Rock Chalk...

2008 NCAA Final Four Wrap-Up

Well, here's your summary of the 2008 NCAA Tournament as told by a ridiculously happy and grateful Jayhawk. If you're not a Jayhawk fan by now, you will be after reading and seeing everything below.

Final Four
Could this have been scripted any better? The similarities to 1988 were a little too similar. The team had the swagger and never give up attitude. The balls bounced their way when they needed to, and they capitalized on every mistake their opponents made. You just knew that this was a special team and this Final Four would be like no other KU has ever been to.

Oh yeah, and the guy that walked away from KU 5 years ago after vowing he'd never leave had to face KU in the semi-finals; how about that for payback and closure all in one game?! UNC was favored to win and probably should have, but KU came out and showed old Roy that KU is better off without him and he can keep his Carolina Blue as long as he wants. The ass-kicking (and that's the only way you could describe it) was marred by about 10-12 minutes of poor basketball by KU that allowed UNC to cut it to 4, but KU pulled away with 10 minutes left and ended up pummeling UNC by 18 which in no way reflects how thoroughly UNC got beat.


Smart sweater, Roy.

Enter the final game for all the marbles. Memphis had it's weaknesses and was all too dependent on the "dribble drive" offense that Calipari used. They turned out to be more than I thought they were but when it comes down to the "putting" portion of the game over the "driving" portion, KU proved that you drive for show and you put for dough. Missed free-throws, poor play calling, questionable plays by the players all killed Memphis' dream and they'll always be remembered for blowing a 9-point lead with 2 minutes left.

Oh, but don't think it was all Memphis' fault they lost. There happened to be probably the greatest Jayhawk team EVER on the other side of the floor that played perfect team basketball. I told people from day 1 that nobody has played a better basketball team than KU, period. Sure, every team has their stud that averages 20+ or whatever but that's 1 dude and 4 guys helping him look good...that doesn't win championships. KU is a balanced attack that proved it can win any game, any way you ask them to. Bill Self simply outcoached every other coach at the Dance and was rewarded justly for doing so.

The Reaction

You think winning the NCAA Championship isn't the biggest thing EVER for KU Basketball fans? Try this on for size. This video was taken from Allen Field House (the HOME OF THE JAYHAWKS!) during Mario Chalmers' "shot heard 'round the world."


Wow. Keep in mind this is just the basketball stadium. Every bar and restaurant, retail shop and home in Larence was jam packed with people watching the game. Bars were charging $30/hr to hold a table during the day and people were lined up in front of bars and restaurants since 7AM to watch a game that started at 8PM. An estimated 40,000 people were crowded on Mass. Street after the game; a street that is only about 6 or 7 blocks long where you'll find bars and shops and such.


Caption of this photo on the scout.com message board read "Lawrence looked pretty dead last night"

Final Thoughts, ala Jerry Springer

All in all, much like Bill Self lamented, this is way better than I thought it would be. 12 years of dedication to KU basketball through the band, being a fan, student, donor, you name it and I could not ask for a more amazing payoff. I'm so proud of the team, the coaches, everyone; they deserve this more than anyone. In an age when you hear so much bad stuff happening with student athletes, coaches breaking rules, NCAA violations and you name it, KU stands strong. The players are students first, athletes second and their conduct on and off the floor is in direct correlation to the man that leads them: Coach Bill Self.


Allen Field House. I think this is after we won...but ya never can tell with these things

There are rumors swirling around Bill Self is leaving to go back to his alma mater OSU and the choice is totally up to him. But, I don't think he's gonna leave. I think he recognizes the significance of where he is, what he's done and what he'll continue to do at KU. This guy is amazing and in 1/3 the time Roy was here, delivered the 1 thing Roy could never achieve: an NCAA Championship.



Rock Chalk Jayhawk...

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK

The greatest shot in NCAA tournament history, courtesy of Mario Chalmers

They did it. My Kansas Jayhawks capped an unbelievable comeback with a 75-68 overtime victory over Memphis. I'm still in shock and can't believe we won. I've dedicated 12 years of my life to this program and would have dedicated 19 more had I known what an amazing brotherhood it has turned out to be. As I watched the final seconds tick away in OT I stood up and I cried the tears of joy that have been earmarked 12 years now for this very moment.

Oh there have been many tears shed for KU basketball over the years, but almost all of them have been tears of frustration, disappointment and sadness. We've been led to the altar so many times, to be ditched by our soul mate that elusive national championship.

Once Chalmers hit that 3, it was over. Overtime was just a chance for some more advertisements and fanfare leading up to what was rightfully ours. They had it and they knew it. They played those last 5 minutes with the confidence, ability and heart that got them there the previous 4 games of the tournament. We'll blog more about this later...

I'll post more tomorrow, including my NCAA 2008 Tournament recap and such but for now I just want to bask in the magnificence that is being the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball CHAMPIONS :)

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!!

Oh yeah, it's YouTube Tuesday...so here it is. THIS is the greatest shot in NCAA Tournament history and if you think otherwise, you don't know squat about basketball :)

On the eve of the Final Four...

I am so excited for the Final Four tomorrow, I can barely stand it. I'm scared, I'm nervous, I'm excited, I'm everything. More than anything else, I'm proud to be a Jayhawk.

In a strange twist of irony, I remember the words of former coach Roy Williams: enjoy the ride. I'm enjoying the ride. I'm enjoying every second of this magical season, for it's not the destination but the journey that we should be thankful for. Strange that on the eve of the day that EVERY Kansas fan has been waiting for, I take solace in the words he preached non-stop the entire time I was in Lawrence. I believe those words and no matter what happens tomorrow I will remember the preachings of KU's wayward son and remember everything from Late Night to the Final Four.

Don't get me wrong, I believe the way Roy handled his departure from KU was f*cked up. He should have left back in 2000 when he wanted to not bide his time until UNC came calling again. He left for the wrong reasons; it was never his choice. The Puppetmaster (Dean Smith) whispered in his ear like the Emperor to Darth Vader and Roy was told he was The Chosen One to revive the UNC program. Roy will always live in the shadow of Dean Smith, no matter how many championships he wins, how many Michael Jordans he recruits...and Roy thinks otherwise. UNC is Roy, not the other way around...unlike here at KU.

Do I hate Roy? I used to, but I got over it. I went so far as to write a letter and send it to UNC after he left us, expressing my extreme disappointment. I'm not kidding here. After our loss in the 1998 NCAA tournament, we in the band were all hanging out near the locker room and Roy saw us. He approached us with tears in his eyes and he looked me in the eye, shook my hand and said "I'm sorry I let you down." My letter to Roy concluded as such...

You didn't let me down in 1998, coach Williams. I was proud of you and the team you coached; I enjoyed the ride, not the destination, like you had instilled in us from day one. But, now, you have let me down and I am the one with tears in my eyes. Your departure isn't sad because you are gone, it's sad because I no longer respect someone who I judged all others by. I'd ask myself "what would Roy do?" and I never thought Roy would do this. Unlike UNC, KU is more than just a coach; it is a tradition, a history and future built on coaches, players, support staff and fans and you were blessed to be a part of that tradition that is Kansas Basketball, much the same way that I still am. I cherish the times you were here and I wish you luck in all you do, but I'm glad you are gone because there are others far more worthy to lead this program than you. I hope you meet KU someday and it's the hardest game of your life; the weight of 15 years, millions of fans and a history of coming up short a constant reminder that for once you chose the destination, not the ride, and let us all down. Rock Chalk Jayhawk.

I don't hate Roy, I just love KU. I love Bill Self and see him as the right man for the job. Will he leave someday? I dunno. Maybe. It doesn't matter. KU is bigger than one coach and Roy leaving was sad, but not the end of the world. When Dean Smith left UNC, it was the end of their world. They needed somebody to "revive" the program because the program was...er, still is...Dean Smith; all about the coach. That is why KU will always be a basketball program and UNC will be Roy Williams. This is why I'm proud to be a Jayhawk and could give a shit about North Carolina, just like Roy Williams :)

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK

YouTube Tuesday - Mass. Street Rocks

This is Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, KS; home of the University of Kansas. It's commonly called "Mass Street" and is Main Street USA...er, Main Street Lawrence, KS as it were.

This was minutes after KU defeated Davidson 59-57 in Sunday's Midwest Regional final.

Yeah, you might say that Lawrence was pretty stoked for the team. I heard when KU won it all in 1988, Mass St. was like Bourbon Street; solid people from end to end and the party lasted until morning.

You have no idea how much I wish I was there to celebrate with the KU faithful :)

KU responsible for more grey hairs

First off, let me apologize to y'all. I've been a bad blogger as of late. The job I do for fun when I'm not blogging for money got wicked-busy in the last 5 days. WICKED BUSY! So, my blogging efforts and Brisbane's creative efforts have been lacking as of late. Oh yeah and couple that with my looming trip to Europe next Thursday (yikes!) and all the planning that goes into leaving the country for 12 days, visiting 4 other countries, picking up a car and getting life straightened away here and you might understand why the content here is funky...but not fresh. So, let's BLOG!!!!!!!


No way. We did it??!!

HOLY SH*T PEOPLE!!! I am so stoked right now that the most talented team KU has had since I became a Jayhawk managed to figure out a way to NOT blow it like they did in 1996 or 2006 or many other times in my 13 years as a Jayhawk, I'm sure. Oh, they tried their best to disappoint, believe me...but in the end the basketball Gods decided it wasn't gonna happen; not this year.


My MVP: Sasha Kaun. Here he is showing their big guys how to play above the rim.

With the ball in the hands of the best performer in the tournament--or even the country right now--and their team down 2 with 16 seconds left, Stephen Curry fell prey to stifling defense and had to give it up to some guy that wasn't Curry and the shot sailed left.

When the horn sounded I didn't know what just happened. Did we win? No way. There had to be a foul or a scoring blunder; something was wrong. But why are the KU players jumping for joy? Why is Matt Kleinmann running the length of the floor?? Sit down you jackass...we're gonna get a technical and Davidson is gonna shoot free throws and tie it to go to OT!! Wait a second...Davidson's coach is walking slowly towards Bill Self, looking defeated. Scoreboard is on the screen. 59-57 KU. Oh. My. God. They did it. They won. They're going to the Final Four.


Great photo collage of yesterday's festivities (click to enlarge)

In all honesty, I had faith from the opening tip. I wasn't cocky that we'd win going into the game, but I had a feeling this team wouldn't disappoint. I knew they'd try to blow it, but not this year; this year is different...special. I knew we were OK from about 3:35 onward. Curry couldn't hit the broad side of a barn and the rest of the team started to look scared and look to him for guidance as they had the 3 games prior. But, he couldn't carry the team one more game. He was spent and his performance showed it. If he had gas left in his tank, he would have got free and taken the shot...and probably make it. While the KU players all looked nervous and feared they would screw it up, they had life in them and they got back to the 1 thing this team does best: play team defense. And defense wins championships...

Don't get me wrong: Davidson is for real. Curry is a superfreak and that team is the best 10-seed that tournament will ever see; best 4 seed that tournament will ever see. Much kudos to them for their incredible run, but as a good friend of mine said "Davidson doesn't understand. We're supposed to play UNC and that's just how it goes..."

And that, my friends...is EXACTLY how it goes...


All KU, all week my friends. Let's get amped for the Final Four!!!!

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!!!!

March Madness

My favorite time of year is upon us: The Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament. Or, as the media has pounded into us: March Madness.

I'm especially excited because my Kansas Jayhawks are a #1 seed in the Midwest region and have a great team with lots of depth. Every year the KU hopeful compare the team to the 1988 Danny and The Miracles team that last won a championship for KU and this year is no different. But, I heard some interesting little factoids that give the KU hopeful something to chew on that maybe hold a bit more water than some of the other cockamamie tie-in's of years past (and believe me, there are TONS).

• In 1988, KU played in Nebraska then on to Michigan en route to the Final 4. This year is no different.
• In 1988 KU played Vanderbilt in the regional semi-finals. This year, they may meet in the same regional semi-finals.
• In 1988, Kansas State was in the Midwest region along with KU. This year, both teams are in the Midwest region.
• In 1988, KU faced a Lon Kruger coached team (Kansas State). This year, Lon Kruger coaches UNLV (KU's 2nd round opponent).
  

Total coincidence? I think not!!

OK, I'm not really that excited about those coincidences but I will admit that it did give me goosebumps when I first heard the similarities.

In all honesty, I do think that this year's team is the best prepared over any team I've followed in the last 13 years and stocked with the players and coaching staff necessary to make the 20-year anniversary of the 1988 Championship something special.

I remember I cried tears of joy the last time KU made the Final Four in 2003 and cried tears of sorrow when they lost to Syracuse in the finals. To say that I am deeply, emotionally and spiritually attached to KU Basketball is an understatement.

My prediction? KU vs UCLA in the final and the good guys send the Bruins home to Westwood with memories of a good season, but no trophy.

Rock Chalk!

Happy Valentine's Day to ME!!

Check out this bitchin pair of Vans that Katie made me for Valentines Day! She really knows the way to a Jayhawk's heart :) Super stoked!

Love you, Katie!

Muck Fizzou

In honor of KU's manhandling of MU tonight, I give you this:




There were several others (that were epic, as rivalry shirts go) featured on ESPN during the game, but this one has to be my favorite.



Enjoy another disappointing season MU.