University Daily Kansan/April 8, 1988
CHAMPS!
3B
Kansas forward Keith Harris celebrates after helping cut down the nets following the title game
'Hawks bring back second NCAA title
By Elaine Sung
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas' only national championship had been won in 1952. The Jayhawks were led by Clyde Lovette, a two-time All-American who was voted the tournament's Most Valuable Player after KU defeated St. John's for the title.
Valeant player in 1988. With Lovelletta in the stands and the tournament in its 50th year, the Jayhawks did it again. This time they were led by two-time All-American Danny Manning, who was won the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.
With Manning's 31 points and 18 rebounds and a defense that held Oklahoma to 42.9 percent shooting from the field, Kansas beat the Sooners 83-79 in the championship game.
It was a tired and disappointed Oklahoma coach Billy Tubbs who faced the must after the game. He congratulated them.
"I'm proud of our team," he said. "It's a bitter defeat because we thought we could win it all. We didn't, and we have to accept that. But that doesn't make me lose any pride in our team and the accomplishments we had this year."
Center Stacey King, so confident the day before, was held to four points in the second half. When the final buzer sounded, the Jayhawks rushed onto the court under the Kemper Arena scoreboard. It flashed, "Jayhaws — 1984 NCAA Champions."
All the Sooners could do was stand aside, arms folded,
eyes blank, and admit they were only the runners-up this
year. King leaped against a table, hands on his knees,
refusing to watch to watch the Jayhawk players
celebrate.
"Like I said, I knew he (Manning) wanted it bad, and he came out here and proved that tonight," King said. "He had 18 rebounds and did a good job defensively. We know we did the best that we could, and we lost. But we are going to hold our heads up high."
Kansas came into the game an eight-point underdog and had to come out strong to prove they could play with Oklahoma. The Sooners, ranked fourth nationally at the end of the regular season, had little trouble getting through the tournament other than a rough first half against Villanova in the final of the Southeast Regional.
The Jayhawks surprised Oklahoma by leading much of the first half. But Kansas had committed four more turnovers than the Sooners, and Oklahoma was launching three-point attempts instead of shots from two-point range.
The first half was played at the fast Oklahoma tempo, although Kansas coach Larry Brown had told his team to slow down the pace. Brown said his strategy was to hold out until the last five minutes of the game, when he too the Jayhawks would break out while Oklahoma would be too exhausted to catch up.
It worked. Tubbs had played only six players the entire game, substituting freshman Terrence Mullins for guard Ricky Grace at 7:16 of the first half.
"I would see some guys getting tired out there," said Sooners forward Harvey Grant. "But you have to push hard here. It's the championship game."
Tubbs made 12 substitutions during the game, Kansas, on the other hand, substituted 42 times and used all its available players except one. Brown used the bench well, and gained advantages from guards Lincoln Minor and Clint Normore.
"It is easier to substitute when you're ahead in the ballgame than when you're behind in the ballgame." Tubbs said.
Oklahoma also downplayed the fact that the two teams had played twice already this year. Tubbs said the experience would make no difference.
But with 13:26 left in the game, it was Kansas who was down on the scoreboard, and Brown kept substituting. By the time the Jayhawks permanently regained the lead with 5:35 left, Brown had made eight substitutions, most of which were at the guard position.
"I really don't think the games that were played before were really that important." Tubbs said before the championship game. "I said going into this that is in the past. It's what's happening right now that is important."
But the Jayhawks did remember the regular season games, both of them losses. They had faced the Sooners' dreaded full-court press, and they were no longer afraid of it.
"We know what they do in the game," said forward Milt Newton, who finished the game six of six from the field with two three-pointers. "With other teams, they're shocked by the press. But we're accustomed to that. We didn't think we could get beat a third time. This third time was for the national championship."
In honor of the Jayhawks, the Kansas City Royals have invited the team to attend Sunday's game against the Detroit Tigers. Manning will throw out the first pitch.
Then it's on to Washington D.C., and the White House, where President Reagan will play host to a reception for the Jayhawks in the Rose Garden.
Congratulations Jayhawks!
we specialize in custom work!
842-9754