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June 12, 2009
The Jayhawk Flashback returns this week with Allen Fieldhouse memories from Billy Thomas.
Actually, when I asked him, Thomas said he had two favorite games at the Fieldhouse: Dec. 1, 1995 vs. UCLA and Dec. 10, 1997 against UMass.
Unfortunately, I could only find the UMass game in our archives.
If you remember, in the UCLA game (during Thomas' sophomore year), KU trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half and by 15 points at halftime.
"I remember coach (Roy) Williams coming in screaming and yelling (at halftime)," Thomas recalled, "and at the same time, we knew we didn’t play well."
That all changed in the second half. The Jayhawks outscored the Bruins, 59-29, in the final 20 minutes, putting together the biggest second-half comeback in KU basketball history.
Thomas remembers one particular shot he made from the corner near his own bench during the comeback — and the thunderous roar from the crowd afterwards.
"I’d never felt anything like that," Thomas said. " ... It just kind of sent chills through my whole body. I’ll always remember that moment, man."
Thomas' other favorite game was significant for another reason: KU had a 49-game home winning streak entering its game on Dec. 10, 1997, against UMass.
The highlights of the game are below.
"(The streak) was in definite jeopardy because (UMass) played well," Thomas said. "We weren’t playing well. I happened to help us put together a string of shots.* We pulled the game out."
* — See 1:06 through 1:36 in the video above.
Thomas said another highlight also stood out in his memory.
"I dunked in that game," he said with a grin. "Whenever I dunked, everyone was like, ‘Whoa, what’s going on?’ I got a little fingertip dunk in that game. It was just an exciting game because it helped keep our streak alive."
Thomas tied a career-high with 21 points on 9-for-14 shooting and added four steals.
He also was a little bit fortunate, as his errant pass with 10 seconds left gave UMass one last chance to tie it. The Minutemen missed two shots before the buzzer, including a dunk attempt by Lari Ketner*.
* — Watch the video again and watch Raef LaFrentz's reaction on Ketner's dunk attempt. LaFrentz keeps looking around like he's expecting a foul to be called on him. We don't have a great angle, but judging by Raef's reaction, there was probably at least some contact on that final shot.
Thomas didn't talk to reporters afterwards (he was getting treatment on an ingrown toenail), but I put together a video below of some of the postgame comments from the KU players.
A couple of good clips here, as it sounds like ol' Roy calls UMass coach Bruiser Flint, "Bruso." Wouldn't that be a great name for a mafia gang leader in a movie?
And I'm digging Paul Pierce's winter coat from back in the day. Sometimes we forget that, not too long ago, these guys were just kids, too.
Comments
kansas22 (anonymous) says...
Wow! Pierce looks so young at the end of that second video. Good memories
June 12, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PikesPeakSmitty (anonymous) says...
Love these 'flashbacks' Keep 'em coming!
Man i miss Raef. What a class act.
I have so many 'favorites', but he has to be on my short list.
Looked to me Raef might have been the one who pulled the rim down at the buzzer??
Too bad this game didn't go to overtime.
June 14, 2009 at 5:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mvjayhawk (anonymous) says...
Good flashback. Billy could fill it...definitely carried us there for a stretch.
He still looks pretty good....just watched him play in a charity game in Olathe....on one play he took one giant step across half court....and buried a deep three. We'll see if he can make an NBA roster this summer. might be his last chance.
June 15, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawkman1031 (anonymous) says...
Love shooters. Love Billy. I think he should be hired on by the Celtics so that he can be with Pierce for a year... on the comeback team, healthy again... that takes the league by storm anew. The Snakers didn't have to play a real team this time.
Wouldn't that be fun. When Paul gets tired, Billy starts shooting. Sweet dreams.
June 15, 2009 at 8:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kushaw (anonymous) says...
I hate watching video flashbacks from this era. So much disappointment for me. So much promise and nothing to show for it.
June 29, 2009 at 9:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )