The perfect scenario, according to Danny Manning, would go something like this:
“I’d like to see everybody get the opportunity to play. I’d like to sit on the bench the last few minutes of the game and reminisce about all the good times we’ve had here,” the Kansas forward said in anticipation of Saturday night’s home basketball finale against Oklahoma State.
Tipoff for Manning’s final game in Allen Fieldhouse – it’s also the swan song for Chris Piper and the injured Archie Marshall – is 8:10 p.m., with a live telecast available on channels 13 and 41.
“I think it’ll be there,” Manning said of the spine-tingling emotion. “Hopefully, we won’t get too carried away.”
Manning isn’t concerned about honors and applause coming his way Saturday. He’d prefer the sellout crowd rock the roof while cheering on senior Marshall, the injured Jayhawk who has missed most of his final season following knee surgery.
“Archie has been here a long time – as long as I have – and he’s only played two seasons,” said Manning. “I talked to a friend the other day and he thought Archie should start the game. We’d get the tip, then stop the game. I don’t think Archie would do it, but it’d be nice to do something like that.”
KU coach Larry Brown liked the idea, too.
“Whew,” exclaimed Brown, when told of the proposal to let Marshall “play” approximately five seconds, injury and all. “I’d love that he be introduced as a starter, but his knee is pretty darn bad. It’s pretty severe. But Danny’s sentiment is the way everybody feels. That’s nice in itself. I doubt if we’ll even get him to dress (in KU jersey rather than a suit and tie). He came by practice yesterday and couldn’t even bring himself to watch, he wants to play so bad.”
Brown admits he’ll be an emotional wreck for the seniors’ final home game.
“Oh, wow, each year it gets tougher for me and our staff,” said Brown, in an animated mood Thursday, following Wednesday’s 85-64 road win over Colorado. “Last year was the first group of kids I happened to be involved in their recruiting. That was emotional, to see those kids leave.
“This year will be the same thing. Kids like Piper – every day my respect for him grows. I’m so appreciative of the fact he’s been here. It’ll be tough to see him go, but we can be happy for what he’s accomplished.
“Archie, I don’t know how I’ll be able to handle that. I don’t think anybody will ever recover from seeing him go down (with season-ending injury in ECAC Holiday Festival back in December). He’ll be graduating soon and good things will be happening for him down the road.
“Danny, waht can you say? I’m excited to see him play his last game. It’s like a step forward for him. This is one phase of his career. I’m glad I to at least some degree, was part of it. I look forward to seeing him move on (to NBA) and have people follow him in the future. I hope people who see the game understand what a great opportunity they’ve had to watch him play the last four years.
“I don’t know how we’re gonna play,” admitted Brown, whose Jayhawks will be shooting for win No. 20 against 10 losses. “I’m anxious for the game. I want the kids to enjoy it, the fans to enjoy it. I hope we’re successful.”
There’s a good possibility Saturday’s game will vault to No. 1 on Piper’s “most memorable” list. Manning’s, too.
“My most memorable game right now was probably the last home game last year. It was Ced (Hunter) and Turg’s (Mark Turgeon) last game. I came in with that recruiting class and it was emotional for me,” Piper said.
“I’ve seen a lot of guys graduate and a lot take it emotionally,” continued Piper, who has shrugged off nagging injuries all season. “The people show so much support. I know it’ll be a great feeling winding up four, five years here. I hope I can keep my mind on the game.”
“Probably going undefeated for three years and beating Oklahoma my freshman year are most memorable,” noted Manning.
Okie state, 97-88 losers to Iowa State Wednesday in Stillwater, owns a 14-14 record, 4-9 in conference play.
The Cowboys are led by 6-7 Richard Dumas, who averages 17 points and 6.4 boards. KU has won 10 straight over the Cowboys, including a 78-68 win in Stillwater earlier this season.
Notes
Although Kansas has retired two football jersey numbers – John Hadl’s 21 and Ray Evans’ 42 – no KU basketball jersey has ever been taken out of use.
“I think we need to retire the numbers of guys voted Player of the Year,” Brown says. “Anybody voted Player of the Year deserves to have it retired. I’ll suggest that. Hopefully Danny will get that honor. we’d recognize Clyde (Lovellette), WIlt (Chamberlain), I hope I haven’t forgotten anybody.
“I’d also like to retire the jersey of those who were All-Americans for two years, but not retire their numbers. Somebody who was a two-time All-American would have his jersey hang, but we’d still use the number.”…
Freshman Mike Masucci did not make the trip to Colorado because of scholastic problems.
“I hope he’ll be back today,” Brown said. “It’s been one of those years. Every day you go to practice and there’s a new and exciting thing that happens.”…
