| REGISTER TO WIN | |
 |
“The rest of the week, we’ve been so busy,” says tour guide Blas Garcia, standing by himself on the sidewalk. “But not today.”
10:20: Signs of life on the River Walk. Starbucks starts to fill up with bleary-eyed Jayhawk fans. Down the stone steps and near the water, a crowd has gathered at the official KU bar, Rita’s On The River — 40 minutes before the place opens.
12:11: Larry Brown sneaks out of his hotel and heads across the street to the Convention Center, where crowds have gathered to shoot hoops, buy merchandise and hang out. We get a quick word. Coach, care to offer up a prediction for tonight’s game between one of your best friends, Memphis coach John Calipari, and the school you won a national championship with in 1988?
“No way,” he says. “I’m already a winner. I’ve got both of my guys there. I’m a winner already.”
12:55: Here come the Jayhawks, heading toward their locker room before their shoot-around. Two players listen to music on iPods. Two talk on their cell phones. The rest are quiet, heads down, the mood serious.
Only Bill Self, trailing behind them, can be heard, his drawl and excitement clear.
“I rested good,” he booms. “They said they did, too.”
They head into the locker room.
1:25: Downtown has filled up. A fan wearing a “Rock Chalk Jayhawk” shirt is holding up four fingers. As in, he wants four tickets for tonight’s game.
Uh, yeah. Good luck, dude.
2:46: We’ve found the Memphis fans.
They’re clustered around the banks of the River Walk, being led in a chant by a guy who’s clearly had one too many. And he’s still going, holding a beer in one hand and a microphone in the other.
“T-I-G!” he shouts.
“T-I-G!” the crowd responds.
“G-E-R-S!” he finishes, spilling beer on his shirt.
The few Kansas fans in the vicinity look the other way.
4:50: Fans head toward the Alamodome, even though the gates don’t open for more than an hour. Scalpers are there to meet them.
Current asking price: $125 for upper-level seats, $350-$400 for lowers.
A father and son wearing Jayhawk T-shirts squabble, but then Dad slaps the scalper on the back and says, “Not that much.” He and his son walk off.
6:00: The doors open to the public.
6:07: Here come the fans — the first of whom are wearing Kansas blue.
7:15: Danny Manning stands near center court and watches his players warm up. Sasha Kaun hits an 8-footer. Memphis highlights play on the scoreboard above them.
7:30: Our first celebrity sighting of the tournament! It’s Jesse Jackson, walking around the court, shaking hands. Now, if we can just find Jessica Alba …
7:57: Self has made it to the court. Maybe it’s just us, but the man looks a little nervous.
8:03: Though Brandon Rush sure doesn’t. We’ve just watched him shoot about 15 three-pointers during warm-ups. He’s missed only once. It might just be a big night for No. 25 — and his team.
8:24: Calipari and Self meet near the scorer’s table for a pregame hug and handshake.
8:27: Tipoff!
8:57: Self has been the picture of calm all game. Easy looks, lots compliments to his guys.
9:10: Halftime — Kansas 33, Memphis 28.
9:35: Memphis opens the half with a run that ties the score and shifts momentum. Remember that Self picture-of-calm thing? Gone. He’s shaking his head and smirking with frustration.
10:07: KU’s down by six with 5:10 left, and you can feel the air going out of these Kansas fans.
10:30: Mario Chalmers nails a three-pointer, tying the score at 63-63. We’re going to overtime.
10:49: Wow. Kansas wins in overtime, 75-68. The Jayhawks are the champions.
Join the discussion
Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.