VOLUME 127 ISSUE 28
KANSAN.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2014
LATE NIGHT IN THE PHOG
RICH TRADITION HAS BECOME SELLING POINT FOR RECRUITS
LATE NIGHT IN THE PHOGPUTS BASKETBALL SEASONIN THE SPOTLIGHT
STELLA LIANG
@stelly_liang
With the football season not even halfway over, two other teams at Kansas take center stage this weekend.
Late Night in the Phog, the kickoff to the men's and women's basketball seasons, is this Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse.
"Late Night's always big," men's basketball coach Bill Self said last week. "I can't talk about specific recruits, but it's not only big from a recruiting standpoint, it's big from our players' standpoint. A lot of our players that we signed come to Late Night and then that's something that they always look forward to, would be being a part of this."
The annual event, which is in its 30th year, is usually talked about in terms of recruiting, but it's also a celebration for both players and fans. Freshman guard Kelly Oubre visited last year during Late Night and is excited to be a part of it this year.
"I'm looking forward to the season." Oubre said. "I'm looking forward to Late Night. I'm looking forward to the fans being in the stands."
He said he remembers what it was like last year with the excitement in the air and said it was a big factor in why he chose to play at Kansas.
"I believe it was Late Night in the Phog when I got here and I felt the atmosphere and saw all the fans camping out outside, and I just saw what the guys did on a daily basis, and I just wanted to be a part of that," Oubre said.
A LOT OF OUR PLAYERS THAT WE SIGNED COME TO LATE NIGHT AND THEN THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO,WOULD BE BEING A PART OF THIS.
- BILL SELF
MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
The event is filled with skits and dancing, and there is also a basketball scrimmage at the end for the men's and women's teams.
Late Night not just because of the theatrics and atmosphere, but also because it means the season is starting. He said he is looking forward to playing and competing.
Sophomore guard Wayne Selden is excited for
The event is free and does not require a ticket. Fans who attended last year, or wanted to, know there were some problems that led to people being turned away at the door. In response, Kansas Athletics has changed up the entrance procedures.
It will still be a first-come, first-serve policy, but doors will open at 3 p.m. When Allen Fieldhouse is full, the doors will be closed. If there is already a big crowd waiting, the doors might be opened before 3 p.m.
Also different this year, students will enter through the northeast door, just like during basketball games. Kansas Athletics will communicate with fans at Allen Fieldhouse during the day through social media and traditional media. More Public Safety officials will also be around the arena compared to last season.
Late Night in the Phog will last roughly three hours. When asked what talents he would bring to Late Night, Oubre alluded to his dancing skills.
"Just my all-around game," Oubre said. "I mean dancing, that's definitely part of Late Night, my all-around game. I'm definitely ready to get out and play with my brothers."
— Edited by Jennifer Salva