Looking back at Late Nights past

By Matt Tait     Sep 30, 2016

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The F.C. Phog Allen statue looms over fans waiting to enter the fieldhouse for Late Night in the Phog on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012 at Allen Fieldhouse.

With the 32nd annual Late Night in the Phog a little more than 24 hours away, the anticipation of the beginning of another Kansas basketball season is at an all-time high.

Led by 14th-year head coach Bill Self, the Jayhawks will open the season, as they always do, with high hopes and lofty goals. A likely Top 3 team heading into the season — which officially begins in Honolulu on Nov. 11 — the Jayhawks will be gunning both for a national title and a record-tying 13th consecutive Big 12 regular season title.

While the quest for both will hold the interest — and nerves — of KU fans for the next several months, few things get the fan base as fired up as Late Night, which offers both an opportunity to see the players in action and be entertained by their personas away from basketball.

“There’s nothing like it,” said junior guard Devonte’ Graham. “The fans know what recruits are coming from high school. They get all the privileges just to be around here and experience Late Night. Seeing Allen packed is different from just walking in and seeing it empty. You can’t really imagine it but it definitely is a huge impact on recruits.”

Added Graham backcourt mate Frank Mason III: “I’m looking forward to having a great time with my teammates for the last time. I think it is good for freshmen to play in front of the crowd. It’s a great thing we do every year and I’m looking forward to it. The skits are always funny. I’m not used to dancing and things like that. I think the dance moves are hilarious and us trying to fit in with the dancers. It’s always a good time.”

With that in mind, here’s a quick look back at recent Late Nights, through the lens of our talented photo staff…

2015 – Halfcourt shot steals the show

2014 – Late Night with the Royals?

2013 – Andrew Wiggins mania invades Lawrence

2012 – Dressed up and jeweled out

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.