Season's End

Not entirely surprised about Kansas’ flameout yesterday. Jayhawk fans knew this would be an up and down year, and we certainly got our money’s worth.

With regard to being first out: Are we spoiled? Yes. Should we have expected more from this team? Probably. Should we be disappointed with our season? No way in Hell.

The year started off terribly, sinking immediately in Maui and losing half of our games right out of the gate. Mid-season showed the promise of years to come, moving many a fan to believe that “this” might be “the year” (again). Things came full circle Friday night with yet another first round loss, to a seemingly obscure team… just lucky to be there.

Discounting the past two seasons horrific showings, the three years prior to that included a Final Eight run… two Final Four appearances and shot at a title in the NCAA Championship Game. How many schools West of Tobacco Road can say this? For some schools, making the NCAA Tournament at all is a once in a decade event (see K-State and MU as prime examples of this – they refer to them as “tournament” years).

Despite all my smack talk on this site, I’m a fan of the Big 8… uh… Big 12. Once conference play is over, I’ll root for any conference team that’s still playing come postseason tournament time (yes even those of the “feline” persuasion I mentioned above).

I’ve participated in many a heated debate with the alumni from other schools on this subject, and I firmly believe that a win by any conference team strengthens the entire conference. The counterpoint I often hear is that there is no direct correlation between one school winning and another’s success. And that it actually makes it more difficult to recruit a player if there are two schools in a conference competing for the same player. It’s pretty rare for two conference teams to compete for the same player. It’s typically a battle of geography and us fighting with the coasts to persuade players to play in the middle of America.

Then there’s the die-hard “haters.” I have a co-worker who still lives by the Norm Stewart axiom of not spending a dollar in the state of Kansas as some of the tax money goes for state education. This is insane. Then there’s the “beater-lovers,” those folks that are fans of any team that beats the Hawks. Case in point, a K-State fan that wears Bucknell apparel just to taunt KU fans. Funny stuff, but can he name even one player on this or last year’s Bucknell team? Doubtful. If only he spent as much time rooting for his own beloved team.

I’m a proud fan of KU. I attended the University of Kansas. I would expect an alum or fan of any school to cheer for their team and defend them when challenged by a rival. This is what makes college athletics so much fun.

But the reality is… we fans have no skin in the game (unless your last name is Laurie). We don’t lace-up our high tops and strap on a jockstrap. We don’t put in the practice time. We don’t play the game. The onus for a win or a loss isn’t on us. Instead, we sit in the stands or turn the game on two minutes before tip-off. When the team wins, we claim partial ownership as fans and praise the coach and players. Often times, when we lose, we’re the quickest to find blame in the coach or a singular player.

When the game’s over, as fans, we really can’t lose. But just for one moment, try to imagine how the players and coaches must feel at this moment. And try to imagine playing in a tournament where only one team goes home without a loss. Sobering stuff.