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March 28, 2008
12:03 a.m. - They just announced at Ford FIeld that Sunday's Kansas-Davidson game will start at 4:05 p.m. CST. It will be the late game after the South regional final.10:02 p.m. - The giddy Davidson players talked to the media after beating Wisconsin, 73-56, a little earlier. This pop-culture gem came out of it.After Greek God Stephen Curry dropped 33 points, he was trying to talk about how Davidson can pick apart defenses. But he tripped over his words big time, stuttering "pi-pi-pa-pi..."He then laughed and composed himself. At that point, teammate Jason Richards blurted "T-t-t-t-today, Junior!" a la [Billy Madison][1]. It was classic.You can't deny this: The Davidson Wildcats are having a heck of a lot of fun right now. And whoever wins this Kansas-Villanova game tonight will have a battle on its hands Sunday.Deadline will be really, really tight after tonight's game, so I'm done for the night. Enjoy the rest of the KU game.8:23 p.m. - Got a second chance at getting a LeBron photo, and I butchered it worse than Tom Keegan on a golf course.![][2]There it is on your left. I realize this picture is less conclusive than all those [Loch Ness Monster shots][3] that we obsessed over for decades. But that's 'Bron. I'm one of 2,000 people, it seemed, trying to get a camera phone shot of him. I feel so dirty.Judging by the quality of that picture, I'll leave the photojournalism to the pros, particularly J-W photographers Thad Allender and Nick Krug.Talk to you later.8:07 p.m. - Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James just walked in front of us. I tried to snap a picture with my camera phone while maintaining my professionalism (ha!). But all I got was a blur of his shoulder as he slipped by. Sorry about that. But you'll have to trust me on this: He looked like LeBron James usually looks. Young, rich as sin, and good at basketball.James, for the record, is in Detroit because the Cavs are playing the Pistons tomorrow night.8:01 p.m. - One half of basketball is done, and it was an entertaining one. Fifteen three-pointers combined between Wisconsin and Davidson led to 63 percent of the total points. It's tied, 36-36, at halftime. Boy wonder Stephen Curry has 11 points at the break, which means he'll probably finish with 60.As for the atmosphere at Ford Field? It's not bad. We all wondered with such a massive facility if the lack of intimacy would lead to a ho-hum atmosphere. But it's actually decent. Both Davidson and Wisconsin traveled well, and they're pretty loud.Quick note: Section 347, row 21, seat 35 remains empty. Actually, there are two people total in section 347. I would go up and interview them but my lungs already are mad at me.Regardless, it's a pretty good crowd, probably close to 60,000.6:10 p.m. - I didn't get around to getting my 20-minute jog in today. So to burn all those calories off, I walked up to the worst seat in Ford Field just before the Wisconsin-Davidson game.Section 347. Row 21. Seat 35.![][4]Once I woke up after inexplicably passing out from the walk, I soaked it all in. I've got to say, to be fair, Ford Field is an amazing venue. But the poor ticket holder of Seat 35 probably will disagree.To be brutally honest, I felt like I was in a totally different arena, looking in on this place where a basketball game was being played. It was almost hilarious.Last I heard, only 57,000 tickets were sold (out of 72,818). So section 347, row 21, seat 35 probably will be lonely this weekend.But he has a friend in me. And judging by his location, he could use a few more buddies.2:59 p.m. (EST) - This fascinates me.Before we get to basketball, I've got to tell you the debate a couple of us had last night at Hockeytown U.S.A., a glorious bar and grill next to Comerica Park in downtown Motown.Growing up in Kansas City, I apparently became used to some lingo that only Kansas Citians know. Such as this: I ordered a beer last night with my dinner. Asked if I wanted it in a bottle or out of the tap, I said "Draw."They didn't know what I was talking about. "You mean draft," one of them said.Is "draw" a Kansas City-area term, only? They don't use in Detroit. I know they don't use it in California. What's going on here?That off my chest, here are a couple of quick links to tide you over. I'm heading to Ford Court ... err, Field, to cover the Wisconsin-Davidson game at 7 p.m. EST. I'll give you an update of what I witness.Jim O'Donnell, Chicago Sun-Times: Kansas has a great team, but [that's nothing new.][5] So why, the writer asks, does KU only have two NCAA titles?Joe Juliano and Mike Jensen, Philadelphia Inquirer: The No. 1 seed is 13-0 all time against the No. 12 seed. Villanova [doesn't give a hoot.][6]- By the way, have you guys seen the Sports Illustrated vault yet? It is so cool. Every single word printed in Sports Illustrated over the years is now available online. For Jayhawk fans, you might like these two to get you started:[1988 - A One Man Show][7][2002 - Hell Week][8]NCAA.com: [Click here. Just do it. Now.][9] [1]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112508/ [2]: http://media.lawrence.com/img/photos/2008/03/28/03-28-08_2016.jpg [3]: http://www.glenrowanrestaurant.co.uk/loch_ness_monster_2.jpg [4]: http://media.lawrence.com/img/photos/2008/03/28/03-28-08_1804.jpg [5]: http://www.suntimes.com/hoops/men/865904,CST-SPT-kan28.article [6]: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/20080328_Odds_don_t_disturb_Villanova.html [7]: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067183/index.htm [8]: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1024844/index.htm [9]: http://www.ncaa.com
Comments
jayhawk1996 (anonymous) says...
I'm also a native Kansas Citian. "Draw" isn't limited to K.C. specifically, but it's definitely a Midwest thing.
After living in Texas for 11 years, I'd never say "draw" in an establishment. I wouldn't have time to duck after the gunfight began.
March 28, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU (anonymous) says...
It would seem Mr. O'Donnell from the Chicago Sun-Times has a disdain for Kansas and Kansas basketball. I feel sorry for a writer that has to incorporate "crop sprayers" and "corn fields"--in a derogatory vein--into a story about a basketball program. His dog must have been run over by a truck this morning.
March 28, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BannerforKirk (anonymous) says...
Uh, Ryan, stick with journalism. 36-36 is 72 total points, not 73. Hard to get an odd number when adding two even ones. Not seriously giving you crap, just teasing a bit.
And we say "draw" here in Nebraska (probably too often for our own good).
March 28, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Strikewso (anonymous) says...
Davidson looked awesome! I can't believe we have a 12 seed and a 10 seed in front of us for the Final 4. I feel like Tantilus reaching for some water from the fountain. It would be tragic for us to lose now, but if it does happen, we all can know for sure that our lot as Jayhawk fans is a curse.
Great win for Texas, the Big 12 is still rolling.
March 28, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rwood (Ryan Wood) says...
Banner, I don't see where I put 73 points. 45 of 72 points is 62.5 percent. Round up like a nice teacher would in high school.
March 28, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
darenstevens (anonymous) says...
Ryan, as a Royals fan, you'll have to check and see if they're going to make it in town early enough to catch the game. Brett is a big KU guy so I would think he might make it.....
March 29, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )