Requiem

It’s over.  Just like that, it’s all over.  For Jayhawk Nation, these “Day Afters” are always rough.  For so many of us, our blood, sweat, and tears are committed to 18-22 year old young men (or in Travis’ case 25 year old men), and millionaire coaches.  Their recovery is quicker than ours.  This is especially true today, after a loss like this, where we snatched defeat from the jaws of clear victory.  The haters, who have to revel in our misery for they have no success of their own to appreciate, think that it’s witty to shout “Rock Choke”, but such comments recognize that merely being one of the best 16 schools in America is far short of the expectations placed upon us.  That’s a good problem to have.  But, even the realization of persistent superiority isn’t what we need today.  What Jayhawk Nation needs today is catharsis.  Thus, I offer you this:  in your bewilderment and disappointment, don’t lose sight of what your school accomplished this year.

1. We were all witness to Elijah’s 39.  Mr. Big Shot on Big Monday.  As hostile of an environment as you’ll find in any sport.  Not just because the Idiots Out Wandering Around have nothing better to do, but because it’s Kansas.  Every farmer east of Des Moines, along with Mel Weatherwax, will turn off Duck Dynasty and make their way to Hilton for a shot at The Champs.  In that environment, a man has to take over.  And he did.  Coach Bill Self said it was the greatest offensive performance he’s witnessed at Kansas.  Mine, too.  And I’ve been here longer.  I’m so, so thankful to have witnessed that.
   
2. #Flight23.  @Humb1e_Hungry23.  The kid’s a one-and-done.  Our other experiences with one-and-dones (Xavier and Selby) have not generated the kind of love that Jayhawk Nation feels for this kid.  Why?  Simple: results.  The bank shot heard round the world was one of the Top 5 moments of KU basketball history for me.  We watched Ben follow up EJ’s 39 with 37 of his own to break Danny Manning’s freshman single-game scoring record.  Ben will leave Lawrence as the all-time highest scoring freshman in Kansas basketball history He could become the highest drafted Jayhawk in the NBA amateur draft this summer.  He could become the best pro since The Truth.  And somehow we’re all okay with that.  I’d say a lot of this is the character of the man, where he came from, how he’s handled himself.  It’s the only way that I can explain how we’re okay with putting a kid who played less than 40 games in a KU uniform in the same breath as Manning and Pierce.  And I’m so, so thankful to have witnessed it.
   
3. We were all witness to a new all-time Big 12 shot blocking record.  I wouldn’t have bet a buffalo nickel that this floppy-haired skinny volleyball player from California would become the most prolific shot-blocker in conference history.  I mean, 2011-12 was magical for us, and, because of T-Rob and Tyshawn, we lose sight of Jeff’s records – 31 blocked shots in NCAA tourney, and 140 blocks on the year.  He finished off 2012-13 with 265 blocks and was, for the second straight season, the Big 12 Defensive Player of The Year.  And, I’m so, so thankful to have witnessed that.
   
4. We all witnessed Coach Self’s 500^th win as a head coach (at Iowa Stae) and 300^th as head coach at Kansas (vs UNC).  That would be 30 wins a year for 10 years, except, to put it in more perspective he didn’t win 30 games here until season 4.  He is unequivocally the best in the business today, but receives very little pub, which is good for us.  We have been to 24 straight NCAA tournaments.  We have played 38 games as a Number 1 seed, an NCAA record.  We will have one of the top 2 incoming freshman classes in America for 2013-14.  All because of Bill Self.  I’m so, so thankful to have witnessed that.
   
5. 9 Straight.  Every college hoops “expert” came out of the woodwork in a lathered fury to pile on the three straight conference losses.  Oklahoma State was in the driver’s seat.  Kansas State was in the driver’s seat.  We still had to go to Gallagher-Iba and Hilton.  The streak was over.  Guess what?  Nine.  Motherfucking.  Straight.  Try again next year, bitches.  I’m just thankful to have witnessed that.

So, find your catharsis in this Jayhawk Nation:  Rosters change, expectations don’t. 

Up next: Ten Straight.

Rock Chalk, Jayhawks.