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LOSS: Giddens' 3-pointer in closing seconds not enough
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half, and scored just four points off of free throws. The duo rebounded to score 10 points in the first seven minutes of the second half, and keyed an 8-0 run that gave Kansas its first lead with 12:59 remaining at 43-42.
Just as the Yellow Jackets did in the first half, they responded again, with five quick points from Will Bynum and Clarence Moore.
The two teams battled back and forth, but when senior Jeff Graves missed two free
throws with three minutes remaining and Kansas trailing 65-58, the outlook for the Jayhawks turned bleak. Langford scored five clutch points and along with Giddens' threepointer and two Georgia Tech missed free throws, sent the game to overtime.
Kansas jumped ahead 68-66 in overtime, but everything fell downhill after Langford fouled out with 3:44 left. His backup, junior Michael Lee, fouled out with 46 seconds remaining and Kansas trailing
Isma'il Muhammad, Georgia Tech junior forward, got tangled up and fouled under the basket by Jeff Graves, senior forward. After the game Graves said, "We played our hearts out. We took it to them and we played as a team. We just came up short."
by three. Bill Self was forced to dig deep into his bench, and the combination of an exhausted Aaron Miles and Georgia Tech's deadliness from the free-throw line, gave the deeper team the victory.
For the third straight season, the Jayhawks were stopped shy of a National Championship and were forced to put a devastating loss into perspective.
"All the stuff we've been through this year, stuff on the court, off the court, and stuff you've never seen or heard about — when you add all that up and take that into perspective to where we took it and how we spun a lot of negatives into positives, you have to smile," Lee said. "Life's not easy, everything's not fair. Struggle helps you appreciate the good times much more. I don't regret anything about this season. I'd rather be in a position of losing with this team than winning with another team."
The loss ends what has been an up-and-down first season in Lawrence for coach Bill Self, but it included plenty of positives. Self was able to squeeze as much as possible out of a gang of players he did not recruit and battle key injuries down the season's stretch. While the season gives Kansas fans a glimmer of hope towards a long and successful tenure for Self, it was the culmination of the careers for three Jayhawks — Jeff Graves, Bryant Nash and Brett Olson.
monday, march 29, 2004
Nash played one minute in overtime, while Olson was forced to sit in the stands in street clothes with sophomore Steven Vinson because Kansas could only have 14 players suited and on the bench. Graves saw
"A lot of people doubted me and said I couldn't do it," Graves said. "I think it's going to be tougher for me just because I'm a senior. I wanted to go out with a bang, and I came up a little short."
more highs and lows than anyone on the team but said he was proud of what he has accomplished over his two seasons as a lajvawk.
For the next eight months, the offseason will be filled with many questions and frustrations. For starters, there is the question of whether Simien's 11-point, 11-rebound performance will lead him to enter the NBA draft or to come back for his senior season as he has indicated he will. There will be months of rehabilitation for Langford (knee) and Giddens (foot), who will both undergo surgery to repair nagging injuries.
"For the team, I think it's been a great learning experience. These guys played hurt, and you guys don't know how hurt they," Self said. "Personally, it's been a whirlwind for me for about the last year. I didn't want it to end this weekend, but I know I was certainly looking forward to next Tuesday."
Two 'Hawks Honored - Kansas juniors Wayne Simien and Aaron Miles were both named to the St. Louis Regional All-Tournament Team. The Regional's Most Outstanding Player Award went to Georgia Tech's Jarrett Jack. Other members of the team were Nevada's Kirk Snyder and Georgia Tech's Clarence Moore.
Kansas Basketball Notebook
Number of Note - The loss to Georgia Tech was the first time the Jayhawks had lost this season when scoring 70 points or more.
—Edited by Paul Kramer
REACTION: Fans reflect on loss, look to next year
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Erickson, along with her friends, said they wanted to see if Kansas could take it all the way in the NCAA Tournament.
"We've been waiting for this year," Erickson said. "We've got to hang around until it happens."
But that hope was once again shot down by a Georgia Tech surge to end the game.
But it didn't. J.R. Giddens' three-pointer to send the game into overtime ignited the crowd at Buffalo Wild Wings, 1012 Massachusetts St. Students wearing Giddens jerseys stood on chairs as hope was injected into the sea of crimson and blue.
After the game, confidence was depleted and asense of disappointment engulfed Kansas fans.
Justin Rush, Ellsworth senior, said that the feeling stemmed from Jayhawk fans getting accustomed to annual Final Four appearances.
"I love to be spoiled, I mean, I'm honored to have a Final Four team back-to-back years," Rush said.
"It's just that now, losing is hard to take."
"What do I think about it? It was crap," said Laurel Suminski, KU alumna.
Suminski and her friends drove from Kansas City, Mo., hoping for a Jayhawk victory. What they got was a heartbreaking loss.
Suminski said she was proud of the way the 'Hawks played the whole season, given the circumstances.
"Considering everything we did last year, and with a first-year head coach, we did well," Suminski said. "You can't be ashamed of that."
On an empty Massachusetts Street, Jayhawk fans walked solemnly back to their vehicles.
But inside every Kansas basketball fan, thoughts of the future remained strong, said Adam Lohoeffener. Oberlin senior.
"The season was great, and you can't win them all." Looefeeen said. "All I can say is: Get ready next year."
— Ron Knox and Rupal Gor contributed to this story. Edited by Nikki Nugent
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