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Hope remains for young team

By By Tim Hall (Contact)

Friday, January 20, 2006

I went out to the movies Wednesday night and of course I saw the one sports movie that’s currently playing — “Glory Road.”

I personally loved the film, which is ranked the number one movie at the box office, according to imdb.com. It was no “Hoosiers,” but it was a well-done sports movie that told the story of the national champion 1966 Texas Western Miners.

The University of Kansas was well-represented in the film. One of the longest scenes in the movie was of the Final Four game between Kansas and Texas Western in which Texas Western prevailed.

Aside from sending the message to treat all athletes equally, regardless of race, the movie effectively represented the history and pride of Kansas basketball, especially in 1966.

One thing I have learned from being a student at Kansas for the past three years is that the Jayhawks have passionate fans who will stay behind the team no matter what. But like all schools, there are always critical fans who get overly upset after two straight losses. If you want proof, just check out today’s edition of the “Free for All.”

This season, the basketball team is 10-6. It has lost two in a row. However, I like to think the team has won seven of its last nine.

But this season should come as no surprise.

Inconsistencies will naturally creep up on a team that starts two freshmen and two sophomores. Let’s not forget the Jayhawks have the entire Big 12 schedule in front of them.

The Jayhawks will face one of the better Cornhusker teams in the past decade tomorrow. Coach Barry Collier has his team and his fans energetic and ready to play at 12-4. Fans rushed the court after a home victory against Oklahoma. Nebraska also won on the road at Kansas State.

But you can bet the young Jayhawks will protect their home court and not let a three-game losing streak occur. Even though they are young, they are capable of realizing the importance of tomorrow’s game.

Before you get quick to jump on Kansas coach Bill Self for losing to Kansas State for the first time in 12 years or senior forward Christian Moody for missing two free throws, just realize that we all have the opportunity to be a part of the third winningest program in Divison I basketball history. We have the privilege to bring in the most talented players in the country year after year.

After I saw Glory Road I thought of how we are able to enjoy college basketball for what it is. We don’t have to deal with the hate and the racism that Texas Western endured. Haskins paved the way for the advancement of NCAA basketball to make it what it is today — a sport in which the best players can play regardless of their race.

We’ve come a long way since 1966 even here at Kansas. Four of five KU starters are African American. So instead of being critical of a young team, let’s all just be grateful to be a part of this rich history. Let’s go out there and play Kansas basketball.

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