Late Night in the Phog returns

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

I was so overwhelmed as an 11-year-old at my first Late Night with Roy Williams in the Phog that I barely remember everything that happened.

All I remember clearly is a Kansas Athletics official choosing, me out of a huge group of screaming kids and saying, “Would you want to rub Jeff Boschee’s head in a skit?”

Tough to turn that down.

It was one of those cheesy MasterCard spoofs that ended with yours truly circling Boschee like a bald eagle and rubbing his bald head.

I didn’t wash my hand for a while, so obviously that moment had a pretty huge effect on me. Well, the cleanliness of my hand at least.

The thing about Late Night is that it has an even bigger effect on big-time recruits. Friday night will mark the 25th anniversary of the uniquely entertaining event. There’s dancing, dunk contests and even a short scrimmage. It’s just enough to tease you.

Last year, Kansas and coach Bill Self pulled in two recruits who came to Late Night, freshmen Xavier Henry and Elijah Johnson.

The expected recruit lineup for this year’s rendition on Friday is a little absurd.

The Rivals 150 No. 2 recruit, highly touted forward Harrison Barnes, and No. 4 recruit, point guard Josh Selby, are attending this year’s event according to TheShiver.com. No. 1 recruit Brandon Knight wanted to attend but chose to attend his high school’s homecoming.

It’s still October, but with seniors Sherron Collins and Mario Little finishing their last season and junior Cole Aldrich and freshman Xavier Henry getting first-round looks from the NBA, there might be four open scholarships for the 2010-11 season.

So Late Night is key.

What’s so alluring about Late Night in the Phog for recruits? I’ve got a couple theories.

Most top-notch recruits use at least one official visit to Kansas to come to Late Night. Some might have seen games in Allen Fieldhouse last season, but for most, it is their first experience of the tradition that is Kansas basketball.

If Kansas Athletics shows the pregame video it used last year, the one with epic music blasting from the speakers and the homage to the program’s history, the recruits will be in awe. That tradition will stick with them when they make their decisions.

The recruits will also talk with one another about their respective plans. Maybe they’ll want to win a national title together like Kansas did two years ago.

It’s unfortunate for Kansas that Late Night landed on Fall Break when students are eager to put their midterm mistakes behind them and get some old-fashioned home cooking. The recruits won’t get to walk into Allen Fieldhouse past swarms of camping students.

Regardless, Late Night will have an effect on the recruits that may be enough to sway some decisions.

— Edited by Betsy Cutcliff

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