Manning, a former Kansas University men’s basketball great, played his last collegiate game — an 83-79 victory over Oklahoma that gave KU the national title — at Kemper Arena on April 4, 1988. The last of Manning’s 2,951 career points at KU gave the Jayhawks the four-point lead and iced the championship.

There were more than enough unforgettable moments on the court, but Manning’s clearest memory of that night 16 years ago at Kemper Arena — the site of tonight’s first-round matchup between KU and Illinois-Chicago — was in a cramped room under the seats after the game.

“Just sitting in the locker room when the game was over,” Manning said. “Talking with the guys on the team. We had just won the national championship, but the feeling in the locker room was just guys hanging out, talking.”

With big dollars forcing the Final Four to 50,000-seat domes, Kemper’s 19,500-seat capacity is too small to accommodate the enormous spectacle. 1988 was the last year Kansas City played host to a men’s Final Four.

Since then, Manning’s been to countless arenas and played countless games with seven different NBA teams. He’s even made it back to Kemper Arena as a spectator.

“It’s pretty much the same,” he said with a chuckle.

This time, though, Manning’s role has changed quite a bit. Sixteen years ago, he was on the court, scoring 31 points, pulling down 18 rebounds and sending 35-4 Oklahoma home while he helped cut down the nets.

Now, Manning’s off the court, sharing his knowledge and incomparable experience with this year’s KU team, serving as director of student-athlete development and team manager.

“I feel a connection with all those guys,” Manning said. “I’ve been in every one of those guy’s shoes. Whatever goal they have on this particular team, I’ve been there.”

With KU and its annual demand for excellence, the goal is pretty much the same every year — do what Manning and the Jayhawks did in 1988.

“It’s good to have Danny,” sophomore Jeff Hawkins said after KU’s open practice Thursday. “We know all that he’s accomplished, and we respect him for that.”

Manning said he was unsure what the next school year had in store. But with KU’s NCAA game against Illinois-Chicago looming, next year is the last thing on his mind.

When asked if he wanted to coach someday, Manning said, “I think down the line, yes. It’s not something to worry about now.”

Nor is thinking back to the 1988 team. Manning was hesitant to take a trip down memory lane — seems he’d rather make similar memories in his new role.

“I definitely appreciate it. It was a very special year for us,” he said. “But my mind’s not on the ’88 team. It’s on this year’s team.”

Danny Manning playing in yellow jersey Danny Manning photo gallery More about Danny Manning Woodling: Yes, Budig was happy; no, Johnson’s no OU fan (4-5-88)