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It's not easy for a Kansas University basketball player to forget last year's first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Bucknell.
Reminders of the No. 3-seeded Jayhawks' loss to the No. 14-rated Bison seemingly are everywhere this time of year.
"You have to think about it. CBS plays that commercial every day," KU senior guard Stephen Vinson said Tuesday, referring to a tourney promo that shows Wayne Simien's last-second shot missing and the Bison rejoicing after a 64-63 decision March 18, 2005, in Oklahoma City.
"I keep trying to get excited about the tournament, but every time I start watching something about it, that's on there."
KU will play another BU on Friday - this time Bradley University of the Missouri Valley Conference in a first-round clash at 8:30 p.m. in the Palace of Auburn Hills outside of Detroit.
Bucknell's Chris McNaughton (32) and Rob Thomas celebrate their first-round NCAA Tournament victory over Kansas University in this file photo from last March 18 in Oklahoma City.
A victory there might force CBS to stop showing the commercial regarding the "Bucknell Bummer."
"You see the highlights, and it's easy to change the channel real fast," KU senior Christian Moody said.
KU senior Jeff Hawkins said he also had been reminded about Bucknell of late.
"I saw it in a couple of headlines," Hawkins said. "I'm not worried about Bucknell. I didn't play against Bucknell much. More than half our team didn't play against Bucknell. None of us played a major part of the game.
Wayne Simien takes KU's last shot over McNaughton. The shot missed, and Bucknell won, 64-63. Reminders of that game are everywhere as the Jayhawks gear for this year's opener against another mid-major, Bradley.
"We lost to Bucknell. Maybe it's good in one way. We won't look past any other team because Bucknell proved last year nobody will lay down just because we are Kansas."
KU coach Bill Self has addressed the Bucknell game at practice this week. He won't dwell.
"I've taken a few moments, but I don't need to have Christian or Jeff or Stephen talk about Bucknell. You guys will probably do that just fine whenever you talk to the players," Self said. "So why do I need to dwell on Bucknell when you guys will do my job for me? We won't spend a lot of time on the negatives, but these guys really didn't have much to do with what happened last year."
"Bucknell did a great job in that game. It put them on the map," KU sophomore Russell Robinson added. "They deserved it. This is a different year, and we're excited about the opportunity to play in the tournament."
"Hopefully we'll use that game as a learning experience and use it to our advantage," Vinson said. "The name of game is survive and advance. It's what we'll try to do."
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Comments
camflan (Camron Flanders) says…
weren't we seeded #1 and the Bison #16, not #3 and #14?
since we were the first #1 seed to lose in the first round, you would think that you would remember that, or atleast check the facts.
gamblinggringo (anonymous) says…
First time reading the site, camflan? Ever followed Kansas basketball before today? Kansas was a #3 seed last year. No #1 seed has ever lost in the first round.
WhataRush (anonymous) says…
We were a 3 seed. someone needs to check the facts and it isn't Bedore.
Why are people bringing up Bucknell, most of these players were either on the team and didn't play much or weren't on the team.
There is a huge difference between this team and last year's team, this team actually cares.
jayhawk67401 (anonymous) says…
Yeah, you're probably right WhataRush, (insert sarcasm here) I'm sure those kids on the team last year just didn't care about playing in the NCAA tournament. I'm sure it was never a dream of theirs to win a championship or get to the final four.
jchief40 (anonymous) says…
camflan? I'd rather eat Spam from a Can
WhataRush (anonymous) says…
they wanted to get there, i don't remember saying they didn't. the 4 seniors wouldn't adjust to self's style. the 4 seniors in my opinion were more focused on the NBA than getting back to the Final 4. This year's team shows more interest into what they can do in the tournament.
And our Sophs. didn't play much in that game and they really had no input to how the game went, you can't say that last years loss to Bucknell will hold anything to this year.
If we had the same team as last year than yes it is a factor to use, but this isn't last year's team. These kids actually have an input on the game now.
princess (anonymous) says…
And these kids actually listen to their coach. HUGE difference during Tourney play.
tippy (anonymous) says…
"since we were the first #1 seed to lose in the first round, you would think that you would remember that, or atleast check the facts."
Wow, simply wow.
Jclarkson (anonymous) says…
Bucknell? Don't you mean the "single greatest moment in Mizzou sports history?"
The St. Louis-Post Dispatch has reported a high number of pre-ordered Bradley University t-shirt sales, in preparation for this friday.
Yes, I get tired of hearing about Bucknell. Sadly, it seems Mizzou fans bring it up more than anything.....only they bring it up as though they won something in that game.
KC_Jayhawk1 (anonymous) says…
tippy you have the right idea. . .why in the world are we actually talking about Bucknell for? I guess I thought we were playing Bradley. . .
I am just ready for that Pitt game. . .that should be awesome. . .I think the winner there will go to the Final Four.
princess (anonymous) says…
Mizzu fans continue to amaze me with how low they will sink. No class.
WrightStuff (anonymous) says…
It amazes me how many of the ongoing banter is a result of a stupid comment by someone trying to instegate some PG trash talking from both sides. This team will not lose 1st round, defense wins championships and I feel real good about taking the #1 rated field goal defense into the tourney....maybe thats where the numbers mixs up happened, eh camflan?
bankboy119 (anonymous) says…
I say we get to the Final 4...if Texas can beat Duke we'll make it to the championship.