It starts low and slow, usually at the 2 minute mark. It gains momentum as it builds….and soon everyone in blue is chanting. The KU Chant it is called. The chant is music to the ears of Jayhawk fans everywhere and one that the sports announcers comment on and the one that signals to the opposing team on the basketball floor….your party is over. The Jayhawks have beaten you…the last two minutes are but a formality. Rock Chalk Jayhawk Kaaaaaaa U!
The players are all stars to me…but they are not the players that are touted by analysts. Their individual names and pictures are not plastered all over ESPN, nor CBS sports or Fox sports as many of the so called “great” college players whose destinies are headed for the final step…the NBA and big money.
But there is one little distinction. The Kansas Jayhawks have a #1 beside their name on these sports shows. What does that mean you ask? It means that by their record for the season…they are ranked #1 in the nation. Yes, of all the teams with their star players headed for fame….the team that has been steady and out of the lime light, the team that is flying under the radar…is ranked “Number 1” overall.
There are many leagues out there and the Kansas Jayhawks belong to the Big 12 league. The teams who have won the most games in their league win that league. The Jayhawks won the Big 12 Championship outright for the 12th straight year. Amazing! But wait there is more. Following an inside the league win, all the leagues hold an official tournament….to give the other teams another chance to win a League Championship trophy. Sort of like giving everyone a fair chance at winning the bracket.
First was the semi-final. The Jayhawks beat Baylor in that one.
Last night was the final and the Jayhawks beat West Virginia to win the Big 12 League Championship. The Sprint Center in Kansas City was filled to capacity.
Today is Selection Sunday where a committee (who are not “basketball people”….go figure that one out) look at the rankings and the resume of each individual team in each individual league and decide on positions/cities for the upcoming National (NCAA) tournament. The Kansas Jayhawks are ranked #1 in the nation and should get a good position….but that is yet to be determined by the Selection committee. After all, according to the pundits, there are NO stars on this team. No number 1 draft picks of basketball phenoms…just 10 college kids who happen to like each other and who love the game of basketball and grind out each win under the direction (in my opinion) of one of the greatest coaches of all time, Bill Self.
Below is pic of Devonte Graham, point guard, earning the award for most valuable player in the 2016 Big 12 tournament.
It was interesting listening to the college basketball experts talking last night as they discussed the teams they thought would make it to the Final 4. It appears they believe North Carolina, who is ranked 7th in the nation are the favorite to win it all, followed by Michigan State ranked 2nd, Virginia ranked 4th and Maryland, ranked 18th. They all have “star players”. These experts do admit that the Big 12 is considered to be one of the toughest, if not the best league in the nation. The Big 12 have 7 teams invited to the NCAA tournament.
Above is a pic from last night.
So keep “chanting”…. fans of the Kansas Jayhawks….hold your heads high and enjoy that number 1 ranking as we head into the Sweet 16, the Elite 8 and hopefully the Final 4 of the Big Dance. But no matter where we end up….I will forever be a fan! Hip Hip Hooray!!! to the five starters: Frank Mason, Devonte Graham, Wayne Selden, Perry Ellis and Landon Lucas!
Rock Chalk Jayhawk….Kaaaaaaa U!! 😉
I can’t believe they don’t think KU will make it. Go Jayhawks! You show those people what you can do. We don’t need stars as much as you need a committed team. Didn’t the Royals show everyone that they worked more as a team rather each player making their own stardom. Ha! Rock Chalk, Jayhawks!
You are so right Sandy….I believe in these young guys and I say…hide and watch to the naysayers. 🙂
thanks for stopping by.