Coast to coast

By Mark Fagan     Mar 24, 2007

? Chris Piper’s been here before.

Twice.

As a forward for the Kansas Jayhawks, Piper played in regional finals of two NCAA Tournaments – winning both times, in 1986 and 1988 – but never had to face the pressure he’s enduring since KU advanced to play UCLA in today’s game.

“The fans, all they want to talk about is the Final Four – making travel arrangements for the Final Four, making ticket arrangements for the Final Four,” said Piper, hoofing it back to the team hotel in San Jose after attempting to watch KU’s practice at HP Pavilion. “I don’t want to jinx myself. It’s just, ‘Let’s win and go forward.'”

While KU’s players are relatively insulated from all the fanfare – eating team breakfasts, watching film, going to meetings, running through practice, having more team meetings and otherwise sharpening their focus – fans found themselves with little more to do than take in the sights, shop a bit and, of course, confidently plan ahead.

Dave Curnutt, who knows a thing or two about telephone orders – he owns 36 Pizza Huts in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska – spent much of his time working the phones Friday morning, lining up flights to Atlanta.

After checking in with three airlines and plunking down $1,176 for a pair of round-trip tickets, the Topeka resident, who spends his winters in Phoenix, prepared to take in San Jose’s technology museum, after enduring contemporary art at a museum next door to the Fairmont Hotel.

All that’s left is a little matter known as a basketball game, one whose winner will be among four teams taking the court a week from today at the Georgia Dome for a shot at a national title.

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