March Madness Turned into Sadness

Big 12 Champs 2007

During my four years at KU, we only made it to the Final Four once, but that one time earned us a spot in the championship game. Thinking back to March Madness, I can remember my exact location for our three Sweet 16 appearances, two Elite Eight, one Final Four and one National Championship. These memories are permanently ingrained into my memory because I often think back to just how amazing the KU basketball tradition is. My freshman year, March Madness started early with a road trip to the Big 12 tournament. As the team cut down the nets after their overtime win against Texas, KU was awarded a number one seed for the tournament. The crowd went wild, and you could visibly see the excitement on the players’ faces. Unfortunately our run ended with a loss against UCLA in the Elite Eight.

Mayhem on Mass Street

Sophomore year, our run ended with a shiny trophy and run to Mass Street. Besides graduation, this continues to be my favorite single day at KU. My friends and I ran the mile and a half from my sorority house down to Mass Street. The energy was pliable. The win united every single KU student and Lawrence resident. Forty thousand people crammed onto Mass Street that night. The scene could easily be described as a mob, but a very friendly mob. Thinking back brings shivers down my spine; it is a night I don’t think I can ever forget.

The next year after losing five starters, no one picked KU to go far in the tournament. Some critiques even speculated if KU would even make the tournament, but did KU prove its critics wrong. With no returning starters, KU lost only seven games. We came into the tournament guns blazing but eventually fell to Michigan State in the Sweet 16. Now should I even mention last year? After our untimely exit from the tournament, the mood at KU was more than a little depressing. Not only had spring break ended, but also so had March Madness. What else was there to look forward to except summer, which was months away?

While this year felt similar to last years exit, I am still proud of my Jayhawks. Yes we might have had a prime opportunity to win a championship, but KU will always be KU. There will be more championships down the road. KU has a legacy which is unmatched by any other program. I mean come on we invented the game! I have a deep pride for my alma mater and can’t wait to see what happens next year.