8B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
THURSDAY,MAY 8,2008
THE YEAR IN REVIEW CONTINUED
APRIL 7,2008
Grudge match
Final Four match against Williams'Tar Heels struck a nerve
BY MARK DENT
mdent@kansan.com
SAN ANTONIO — For five days the players watched and read all about North Carolina's advantages.
How the Tar Heels could run better than anyone else. How Tyler Hansbrough played harder than any player in history.
Could Kansas handle all that?
"From what I'd seen on ESPN," senior guard Russell Robinson said, "I guess not. They said Tyler would do this, and they would do that."
As it turned out, Carolina didn't do much of anything. Kansas defeated North Carolina 84-66 at their own game April 5 at the Alamodome, running past them at the beginning and end, and upsetting the tournament's No.1 seed.
"We were the underdog the whole game," junior guard Brandon Rush said. "We just came out and
applied pressure to them. We got up and did some big things."
Nothing could go wrong for the Jayhawks.
North Carolina didn't have it
"We definitely played the best basketball we've played in the first half in that 15 minutes."
Kansas
showed
the nation
that North
Carolina
might
not have been the
best running
team and certainly not the best team in the tournament within the first few minutes.
The Jayhawk dancers and fans alike celebrated the Jayhawk's victory over Tar Heels at the Final Four game in San Antonio, Texas. While facing their former coach, Roy Williams, Kansas came out on top, defeating N.C. 84-66.
BRANDON RUSH Kansas Forward
Rush made three-pointers. Cole Aldrich stole a rebound from Hansbrough then later hit a fade away over the Tar Heels' star.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
so easy. Shots missed everything but the backboard on more than one occasion. Loose balls went into the hands of Jayhawks. One player even got called for a lane violation.
When the players looked 645 459 in
at the scoreboard with 6:45 left in the first half, they were on top 40-12. Kansas had made a 25-2 run.
"We definitely played the best basketball we've played in the first half in that first 15 minutes," Rush said.
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The Jayhawks entered the April game against the Tar Heels without a care in the world. Yeah, they wanted to win, but this wasn't like the previous weekend. Back then, they dealt with playing against Davidson, America's sweetheart, and Stephen Curry, the face likely to be seen the most times on "One Shining Moment." They watched the three other No. 1 seeds advance to the Final Four and knew they needed to make it to complete a historical run.
And then there was this thing about Self not making it to the Final Four in his first four previous trips to the Elite Eight.
"People have termed our postseasons as failures," Self said. "They just felt like something was off their back, and they just played free and easy"
They got their lead a little too early though.
"It seemed like the clock was taking forever to tick," Robinson said.
Carolina made its run and trailed by 17 at halftime and by just four midway through the second half. Self thought back to his first NCAA tournament game at Tulsa. His team was up 26 on the College of Charleston, which ended up hitting a three-pointer to take the lead with one minute left.
"I still remember watching the tape later," Self said, "and Al McGuire said it would have been the biggest comeback in NCAA
tournament history."
Tulsa won that game. Self made sure his team wouldn't lose this one.
With the Tar Heels down 64-59 near the six-minute mark, Self called a timeout and told his players to just relax. Collins hit a threepointer on the next possession. Rush took over the rest of the way, scoring eight of his 25 points in the last few minutes.
With Rush leading the way, Kansas closed on a 20-7 run, sealing a spot in the title game. The Jayhawks had been eyeing that night since October. They got their opportunity to make Kansas history.
"It's an unbelievable feeling," Aldrich said.
—Edited by Sasha Roe
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Freshman center Cole Aldrich steals a rebound from North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough.
You've made it!
Finally the all-nighters and daily treks up the Hill have paid off. As you prepare for Commencement, use the "Grad Guide" at www.kualumni.org/classof2008 for information about our graduation events, how to stay connected and life after KU.
In addition to the year of free membership, you're eligible for the new grad yearly dues rate of $25 for the next four years. Plus, if you join the KU Alumni Association during Grad Grill on May 8, you'll receive a special KU Class of 2008 pint glass at the event.
In partnership with KU Endowment we are giving you, upon graduation, a one-year, free membership in the KU Alumni Association! You'll receive the Kansas Alumni magazine, a 2009 KU campus calendar, access to the online directory, special discounts and so much more.
Our graduation gift to you
Everything we do strengthens KU. Since 1883, the KU Alumni Association has kept 'Hawks connected to KU!
For more details about Commencement, go to www.commencement.ku.edu
Don't miss these great graduation events!
GRAD GRILL
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 8
Adams Alumni Center
Join us for your first official alumni event at the Adams Alumni Center sponsored by the Student Alumni Association. Don't miss out on great door prizes, free food and drinks. This is your chance to pick up information about alumni activities and services Campus offices will be on hand to share information about their services to you... a proud KU graduate!
Please RSVP to saa@ku.edu by May 7.
COMMENCEMENT LUNCH
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 18
The Outlook, Chancellor's Residence
Before you walk down the Hill, celebrate at the Chancellor's residence. Robert and Leah Hemenway will provide free box lunches for graduates and their guests. The KU Alumni Association will welcome you into alumni status, and the Senior Class officers will announce the class gift and banner.
To attend, send in your registration card and pick up your tickets on the third floor of the Adams Alumni Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. May 1-16.
Questions? Call the Alumni Association at 864-4760, e-mail kualumni@kualumni.org or visit www.kualumni.org.
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