Welcome to our online chat with Journal-World and 6News business editor Mark Fagan.
The chat took place on Friday, March 17, at 3:00 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.
Moderator: Hi and welcome to our chat today. I’m Andy Samuelson the online sports editor for KUsports.com and I will be today’s chat moderator. Today we our joined by Journal-World and 6News business editor Mark Fagan, who is following KU and Jayhawk fans in Auburn Hills, Mi. Thanks Mark for taking time out of your busy schedule to join with our KUsports.com and ljworld.com readers this afternoon.
Mark Fagan: No problem. We’re having a lot of fun up here.
Moderator: Mark, I’m sure a lot of people in Lawrence are familiar with your writing, but for those who might not be could you briefly describe your position.
Mark Fagan: I cover business for the J-W, 6News, and World Online. Occasionally they decide to send me on the road chasing around KU fans during the tournament — which is awesome.
Moderator: I’m sure everyone who was able to travel to the game is starting to get excited as the tip-off nears. But for the KU fans back in Lawrence, or worldwide (for that matter) who don’t have that luxury, could you tell us what is going on at The Palace? Is it cold? Are people starting to party?
Mark Fagan: Definitely cold up here. Inside the arena is just like any other basketball venue. Everyone who is here is totally psyched. While everyone is talking about the pretty sparse crowds at The Palace, KU was the most represented of any of the schools. I’d obviously have to expect the same thing tonight.
Jake, Topeka, Kan.: What was the atmosphere like at Thursday’s practice and media sessions?
Mark Fagan: The arena was not full by any stretch at all the practices. I talked to some organizers who estimated there were about a 1,000 people in the stands at KU’s practice. But a real count probably makes that number go down to about 500. A lot of those people were tournament officials and such too. But when you looked around the arena you saw more crimson and blue then any other color. At the practice the team was having fun, dunking and doing shoot-out contests. There seemed to be a lot of people from Kansas who moved up here to the Detroit area and couldn’t believe their good fortune that Kansas was playing in their own backyard.
Mark Fagan: I didn’t get to hear the formal media sessions, but the lockerroom was very relaxed and everyone was having fun. Frankly it was quite different from a couple of years ago when I was covering KU in the tourney. These guys are loose, but focused.
Carol, Denver, Colo.: Hi Mark: What does the team do in its spare time in Auburn Hills?
Mark Fagan: I’m not able to be around the guys in their spare time, but they typically hang out and watch the other games that are going on in their rooms. I know they have a pregame meal. Right now a lot of people are mingling in the team hotel. I’m sitting here in the lobby and coach Self just walked in and is chatting with a buch of different folks. I think everyone is just trying to stay loose and focused on the game. I know if it was me it would be pretty hard to do that with all the activities going on and knowing you’re playing the last game of the night. But watching these young guys handle their business is pretty cool. Good question Carol.
Craig, New York, N.Y.: Bucknell is back. What was the reaction of KU people after seeing that score?
Mark Fagan: I wish I knew. I was about to head over to the team hotel when the game ended. I was like everyone else, I had to see the ending before I took off. I imagine they weren’t surprised, but everyone is trying to forget about last year. Maybe now that Bucknell won again, that could help people forget about last year because Kansas wasn’t the only one to lose to the Bison in the NCAAs.
Sue, Lawrence, Kan.: What are the odds of KU breaking out the red uniforms in this NCAA tournament? Maybe this team could break that 20-year hex.
Mark Fagan: That’s funny because my wife asked me the same thing before I left. I haven’t seen any red uniforms, but I have been in contact with the KU managers and I’ll have to ask them that question. The team has been on quite a roll lately, so I don’t think that KU will mess with their uniforms anytime soon. I bet they go with the same uniform plan they’ve had until they win it all or lose. And if they lose, they don’t have to worry about it anymore, right?.
Moderator: Mark, we were talking about team meals earlier, I think someone you might know has a culinary question for you.
Harriet, Lawrence, Kan.: Did the Jayhawks have bacon for breakfast?
Mark Fagan: Another good question. I know they eat steak for breakfast. I think that trumps bacon, even for a longtime bacon aficionado like myself (you would know, you’re my mother-in-law). Typically they get a team meal in the team hotel with steak, pasta, fruit. Darnell Jackson told me the other day he eats it all. And I figure he can, because he’s pretty big — especially in person.
Paul, Denver, Colo.: Hey Mark, First time writing here but long time fan of yours. Back in ’88, Manning was quoted after the championship game saying: “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity (referring to our draw when several top seeds fell ahead of us).” Do you think that’s what this teams needs to be successful in this tournament? Or can KU, being so young, beat and hang with the ‘big boys’ on the way to the championship?
Mark Fagan: The only question I have about this team is its inexperience in a tournament setting. After KU lost to Texas in the regular season, I thought that was exactly what Bill Self was trying to impress upon his team when he said it would be a big time atmosphere. KU got crushed by UT the first time, but that focused the team for the Big 12 Tourney, and we all know how that turned out. This team very well could go deep into the NCAA Tournament, but you never know. They call it March Madness for a reason.
Moderator: Well, looks like we have time for one last question for Mark. He’s got a pep rally to get ready to go to.
Christy, Los Angeles, Calif.: Mark, Just your gut feeling from being on the scene, are the Jayhawks going to go to Oakland?
Mark Fagan: When I first saw the bracket I thought that the Pittsburgh game on Sunday would be difficult. But being around KU people enough, they’ll convince you that Bradley is the top overall seed in the tournament. There’s no doubt it will be tough. I don’t know what my guy thinks, but I haven’t bought any plane tickets for Oakland yet. Not that I don’t think they can win, it’s just you never know this time of year.
Moderator: Well that’s going to do it for our chat today with Mark Fagan, the Lawrence Journal-World and 6News’ business editor, who is following KU and Jayhawk fans in Auburn Hills, Mi., this weekend. Mark, have fun tonight at the game and I’m sure Jayhawk fans everywhere hope your story tomorrow isn’t anything close to the KU fan reaction stories after last year’s opener.
Mark Fagan:: Sounds great. I hope I’m doing nothing but getting happy reviews as well and still working here tomorrow instead of getting an early flight out.
Moderator: Thanks again Mark for your time. Also thanks to our KUsports.com and ljworld.com readers for all their input into this chat and there excitement for KUsports.com and Kansas University athletics. If you would like even more NCAA Tournament coverage from the guys in Michigan, click on KUsports.com. There you can find Mark’s interactive blog (Mark Madness) as well as Tom Keegan’s blog titled March Madman, extra photo galleries, interactive brackets, polls, and much, much more.