It’s the kind of home cookin’ Kansas University basketball fans love.
And fitting that senior leader Ryan Robinson swished the game-winning free throw with no time on the clock in overtime Monday night to bid adieu to Oklahoma State at Allen Fieldhouse.
The 67-66 win made KU coach Roy Williams a perfect 11-0 on senior night.
“What a game!” Jelani Janisse, a reserve guard from Los Angeles, shrieked into a microphone to 16,300 fans who stayed for a post-game tribute to the four-member senior class.
Pointing to the crowd, he added: “Without you this would not be Phog Allen Fieldhouse.”
Other seniors honored were T.J. Pugh of Omaha, Neb., Chris Martin of Overland Park, and Robertson of St. Charles, Mo. Each expressed love for their families, admiration for their teammates, respect for their coaches and esteem for their fans.
Martin, who outperformed 60 other players in open tryouts to make the team, said he learned the value of hard work, discipline and “even being on time” in two seasons as a Jayhawk.
“It’s because of you guys that I got to live my dream,” he said, pointing to players and coaches on the bench.
Pugh, who played through injuries to be christened KU’s most inspirational player by Williams, made special mention of trainer Mark Cairns.
“Without your treatments, tape jobs and endless supply of ibuprofen, I probably wouldn’t be here,” he quipped.
Robertson blew a kiss to his parents and thanked his dad for attending all but two home KU games during his career. He pointed to his grandparents, both die-hard Kansas State fans. When Robertson arrived in Lawrence in 1995, neither would wear KU clothing.
“If you look up there now, they both have crimson and blue on.”
Robertson said the 1998-99 edition of the Jayhawks had suffered difficult losses, but he pledged the team would shine next month.
“We’ll make this March very, very special.”
Then the four seniors gave Williams the game ball from KU’s win Saturday over Oklahoma — the coach’s 300th career victory.
