KU seniors say goodbye

By Matt Tait     Mar 26, 2017

article image
Kansas seniors Frank Mason III, left, Landen Lucas and Tyler Self come together for a photograph during the senior introductions on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.

One of the things that made [Saturday’s Elite Eight loss to Oregon in Kansas City, Mo.,][1] so tough for so many Jayhawks to swallow was the fact that none of them wanted seniors Landen Lucas, Frank Mason III and Tyler Self to end on anything other than a victory.

Although Self did not play much — even though he did get into the first three games of KU’s run this season — the coach’s son emerged this season as a true member of the team, who helped the young players understand the culture and requirements of playing for Kansas while also putting in the kind of work that’s impressive to see for a player not rewarded with playing time.

Lucas and Mason leave Kansas as two of the most appreciated players in recent memory, partly because of their status as seniors in an era that has been dominated by early departures and transfers and partly because of the paths they took to prominence. Somewhat overlooked during their early days at KU, the two kept their heads down, put in the work and became such strong players who embodied everything that head coach Bill Self wants Kansas basketball to be known for.

[While the rest of the team tries to move on,][2] the reality of Saturday being their last game in a Kansas uniform hit everybody in the program hard, and all three found time, amid their grieving, to hit social media with heart-felt goodbyes and thank you’s to the Kansas basketball family.

Here’s a quick look at their messages.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSHG5kFhMtM/

https://twitter.com/T_Self11/status/846092823464214529

[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2017/mar/25/bitter-end-shots-dont-fall-jayhawks-dropped-elite-/
[2]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2017/mar/26/pain-elite-eight-loss-lingers-jayhawks-have-faith-/

PREV POST

Bitter end: Shots don't fall, Jayhawks dropped in Elite Eight against Oregon

NEXT POST

50464KU seniors say goodbye

Author Photo

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.