Both basketball teams came into the game ranked and sporting impressive Big 12 Conference records. But when the Jayhawks get together with the Tigers records and rankings don't seem to make that much of a difference.
This edition - the first match-up of the basketball teams this year - was played in Columbia, MO, home of the Tigers, where Jayhawk athletes and fans typically do not receive a warm welcome. KU players interviewed before the game admitted they would be wary of possible projectiles hurled from the stands in their direction - rumors persist of players having to dodge everything from spit to hot pennies.
While I say it is just a rumor, the Jayhawk in me knows these harsh accusations of Mizzou fans must be true.
During any KU game away from Allen Fieldhouse (home to KU basketball, where currently the Jayhawks have the nation's longest home winning streak at 37 games) fans that normally pack the stands instead pile into various restaurants, bars, and pretty much anywhere with a television - especially along Mass St. in downtown Lawrence.
Scenes like this one above of the Jayhawk faithful gathered together are pretty typical for an away game. Every television screen will be tuned to the same channel, and while the noise is nothing like a deafening crowd at the Fieldhouse, the fans will be ready to cheer loudly and show their support for the 'Hawks.The team needed our fan support tonight, but it wasn't quite enough, as somehow Missouri offered up a rather unsightly jumpshot that bounced around and reluctantly fell in the hoop with three seconds left to give the Tigers the lead and, all too shortly thereafter, the win.
Here's hoping Part 2 of the Border War has a more favorable result for the good guys!
No comments:
Post a Comment