Monday, April 6, 2009
Everything was perfect in Allen Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon. Except for the outcome.
A boisterous crowd of 16,113 packed the Phog and Kansas, after falling down by 12 late in the game, stormed back to bring everyone to their feet. It was the perfect setting, especially for those who have been to more than one women’s basketball game.
Last season the only time you could truly feel the excitement of the arena was for a Sunday afternoon game against Nebraska, which drew 6,122. Saturday’s loss was 50 times better.
The environment affected South Florida. For better or worse is debatable, but the Bulls took notice.
As Kansas’ band brought pregame to a close with its traditional buzzer-beating fanfare, the Bulls danced along.
As the players stepped out for the opening tipoff, the speakers were blaring and the student section (finally, an actual student section at a women’s game) leapt in unison. South Florida’s Jasmine Wynne looked to teammate Shantia Grace and mouthed, “I can’t hear myself think.”
In the postgame press conference, Bulls coach Jose Fernandez said he felt the same way when Kansas pulled within 67-66 with 2:22 to play.
Bonnie Ball didn’t win, and that sucks. But I’m grateful a basketball-crazy place like Lawrence showed it awards hard work.
Optimists will tell you this postseason run and the excitement around Kansas’ women’s basketball program will build into a NCAA tournament bid next season.
With the core of this team returning, that’s very likely to happen. But I’m no optimist, so let’s wait and see on that.
Besides, this game and this season were too special to put in the rearview mirror just yet.
OPENING DAY
The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies began the season with “Opening Night” Sunday evening, but for every other team the season starts today.
Major League Baseball and all of its glory have returned, and to celebrate here are a few early season tidbits:
• Who’s going to pitch in Anaheim? The Angels top three arms — Ervin Santana, John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar — are all on the 15-day disabled list. With those guys healthy, LAAACUSA (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States of America) is the clear favorite in the AL West and a World Series contender. Without those arms, the Angels are a Vladimir Guerrero injury away from being a sub-.500 team.
• Delusional Royals fans won’t stop telling me to watch out for Kansas City this year. Zach Greinke is a frontline starter and the AL Central is wide open, but this team is just another disappointment waiting to happen. Still, I’m curious to see how hot-hitting prospect Mike Aviles handles expectations. If he can still hit over .300 and quit striking out so much, then maybe the Royals still have hope.
• A tip for fantasy nerds like me, keep an eye on Josh Fields (CHW) and David Freese (STL). Both are young third basemen with a lot of upside, including prodigious power numbers. Fields is finally the man in Chicago thanks to Joe Crede’s departure and Freese should get the start until Troy Glaus returns from injury.
— — Edited by Realle Roth
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