8A
Thursday, January 23, 1997
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Fans flock to see Jayhawks claim record not important
Fair-weather followers join the faithful ones
By Jeff Ruby
Kansan staff writer
With the high-flying Jayhawks playing their best basketball in years, hardcore and not-so-hardcore fans cashed in on the chance to see the nation's No. 1 team shine against Texas A&M last night.
"All this year's been amazing," said Melissa McCabe, Kansas City, Mo., sophomore. "I think we're pretty diehard. The games are so much fun, we go crazy."
KU students, who claim to be among the most basketball-crazy in the nation, said the game's electric atmosphere would hold even if the Jayhawks were at the bottom of the Big 12 Conference.
"We support our team no matter if we're winning or losing," said Kasica Ryan, Wichita junior. "At K-State, they only started getting into it when they had a chance to beat us."
Others said the KU basketball devotees were being joined by a new crop of followers who are hopping on the bandwagon to join the hoops celebration.
there are more fair-weather fans," said Blake Coultis, Topeka senior. "I think you're going to get that with any top-rated program. But there has always been a stronger following here. As you can see, we've got 50 groups standing around waiting to get in."
In the line of students preparing to enter Allen Field House, fans acted as though they were on a first-name basis with the players, and in the student section, predictions of the team's chances were more abundant than newspapers.
"I think we're going to stumble somewhere," Coultis said. "The Big 12 is tough, and it'll help to lose in the long run. Right now, going undefeated is just a distraction."
Manny Martinez, Topeka sophomore, said talk of an undefeated season was counterproductive and the Jayhawks' chances of winning the NCAA tournament would improve if the team lost during the regular season.
Are fans crazier now than they have been in the field house's tradition-rich past?
"The only way I can tell is by how mad they get at the refs," said Heather Wilke, Topeka senior and event staff member. "And there were more bad calls last year."
To some students,bragging rights are the best part of being No.1.
"The majority of my high school went to K-State." Coultis said. "This is one area where they have to shut their mouths."
**Above:** Celebrating after a Jayhawk 3-pointer, Rick Neely, Oak Groe, Mo., Junior, and Todd Mlicaite, Ponce City, Okla., graduate student, take time out from playing their sousaphones for KU Band for a round of high-fives.
Below: Jeff Smith, Oakley freshman, expresses his displeasure with a call made by the referee.
Above: Students rush in to the doors of Allen Field House with visions of a Kansas victory viewed from prime seats.
Right: Ryan Hodapp, Overland Park junior, Kansas basketball's very own Superfan, expresses his loyalty to the program.
Photos by Tyler Wirken / KANSAN