+
KANSAN.COM
LATE NIGHT IN THE PHOG
+
11B
Bill Self at the 2014 Late Night in the Phog
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
SHANE JACKSON
@jacksonshane3
This year Bill Self is giving fans an added motivation to come to the 31st annual Late Night in the Phog. Self will randomly select one female and one male fan and give each of them a pair of half-court shot attempts. If the fan makes the shot, Self will give him or her a check for $10,000 dollars.
If one or both shots go in this Friday, that will undoubtedly be one of the best moments in the history of Late Night under Self. But for now, let's look at the top five moments from the past 12 Late Nights.
Late Night 2014 -- MOCKING,WIGGINS
After a pair of debuts and banners being unveiled, there are several moments that could make a case for being in the top five. Bill Self rolling out on a motorcycle is certainly popular.
But last year, Self stole the show with his outrageous tuxedo, mocking the one that Andrew Wiggins wore to the NBA Draft. Even freshman forward Carlton Bragg, who attended the 30th Late Night, said that Self walking out in the tux was his favorite moment.
Late Night remains an annual tradition under Self, who every year seems to find something new to please the crowd. Its unclear what Late Night has in store this year, but one thing is certain: Self will steal the show.
Late Night 2013 -
ANDREW WIGGINS'S DEBUT
Thousands of fans were turned away in 2013 to see the debut of the top-ranked recruit Andrew Wiggins. In the 29th annual Late Night, anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 fans were turned away at the door.
Wiggins hit six of his eight shots that night, giving fans a glimpse of what was to be expected by the highly touted freshman. His 12 points were second on the team to Perry Ellis, who led the way with 14. However, it was Self who stole the show with his Ron Burgundy impersonation from the movie "Anchorman." Actor Rob Riggle, who was a featured guest that night, approved of Self's performance.
Late Night 2012 — THE FINAL FOUR BANNER
For the first time in several years, a few hundred fans were actually turned away at Late Night. The biggest reason was the unveiling of the Final Four banner that was revealed to a sold-out crowd. The 16,300 fans that were able to get inside let out a huge ovation for the banner that was unveiled in the rafters.
Self said after the scrimmage that the biggest highlight was turning away that many people for a practice. The 2012 Late Night was the first for current players Perry Ellis and Tyler Self, who performed a dance number in all-black outfits before the scrimmage.
Late Night 2003 - BILL
SELF CHANGES THE
NAME
Self admitted there were some nerves before his first-ever Late Night in 2003. He was, however, greeted with approval by Kansas fans in his first taste of Allen Fieldhouse as the Kansas head coach.
Fans also rocked the house when members of the 1988 title team were introduced that night, led by coach Larry Brown.
Before the annual scrimmage, Self had changed the name to "Late Night in the Phog," because he did not want to be featured in the name as it had been done in the past. His reasoning was that basketball at Kansas was bigger than one single person.
Late Night 2008 UN VIEWING THE DANNER
Late Night 2008 - UNVEILING THE BANNER It should come as no surprise when Allen Fieldhouse is loud. Still, there are times when the 16,300 fans are even louder. The Late Night following the 2008 NCAA National Championship was one of those.
Kansas fans watched in awe as the 2008 NCAA Tournament highlight video was displayed on the big screen. Immediately after the conclusion of the video, a temporary championship banner was unveiled, causing one of the loudest ovations in the history of Late Night.
Self admitted afterwards that it was an emotional experience and he almost started crying. Late Night is a historic tradition, but it's almost impossible to top that banner unveiling.
Cheick Diallo cleared to participate in Late Night activities
EVAN RIGGS
@EvanRiggsUDK
When the Jayhawks men's basketball team held its media day last Thursday, freshman forward Cheick Diallo was in no mood to discuss his eligibility.
"I've talked to my coach, but I don't really know," Diallo said. "I don't want to talk about it." Nonetheless, Diallo was the recipient of good news last Wednesday when the NCAA cleared him for practice. When asked if he was excited to practice, Diallo smiled during his response.
"Of course," Diallo said. "I was so excited."
Because Diallo is cleared for practice, that means he will be a full participant in Late Night in the Phog Friday.
"Late Night is practice, so yeah, that's absolutely no problem," head coach Bill Self said. "We're excited he's not going to be behind from a practice standpoint because he is going to be allowed to go, and he obviously needs that because he missed the summer, and then he's missed the last three weeks as well."
Self said Diallo, who was praised for his constant motor in high school, will change the culture of their practices.
"He'll give us things from an intangible standpoint," Self
said. "He'll change the culture of practice because he'll play so hard. He'll keep balls alive that maybe we didn't keep alive in past years."
Diallo's status is up in the air as the NCAA investigates Diallo's three years spent at Our Savior New American, a private school in Centereach, N.Y. It's frustrating for everyone, but no one is as frustrated as Diallo, Self said. Diallo came to the United States from Mali and has done exactly what he was asked to do to play college basketball. The situation is stressful for Diallo, who has goals and aspirations that are put on hold, Self said.
Even though Diallo has been cleared to practice, Self retter-
ated it wasn't permanent, and he has no impact on whether Diallo will play for Kansas this season.
"So it doesn't mean that it's permanent; it doesn't mean anything other than the fact that we still have to do our job and they have to give a ruling on where they stand on the situation, and that hasn't happened yet," Self said.
Although there is no timetable for a decision on Diallo's full eligibility, Self hopes there is a decision sooner rather than later.
"I'm not sure if there's any indication of when it will happen," Self said. "I'm sure it will be done before the season."
- Edited by Rebecca Dowd
CONTRIBUTED BY EVAN PFLUGRAD Cheick Diallo has been cleared to practice by the NCAA.
Jayhawk Connection CAN CHANGE YOUR WORLD!
- to network with prominent KU Alumni?
- free food?
- to meet other KU students?
- member gifts every year?
- a 15% discount at the KU Bookstore?
- a quiet place to study during finals (with free wireless and snacks)?
- a behind the scenes tour of some of the KU athletic venues?
- to learn about internships and business etiquette?
Then don't miss out!
It's not too late—join the Student Alumni Association today!
**membership fee:**
$25 for a one year membership
$75 for a four year membership
Sign up through optional campus fees when
you enroll, or at www.kualumni.org/saajoin
Membership fee:
*Student Alumni Association*
The University of Kansas
Questions? Contact Paige Hofer at phofer@kualumni.org.
WASHBURN
UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF LAW
24
IN NATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
for "Gold Standard" full-time, long-term bar-required positions (2015 BA data)
Spring and Fall Start Available
In-state tuition for Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska Oklahoma, and Texas residents, plus active duty and veteran military. Apply now!
washburnlaw.edu/aboutus
1