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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, OCT. 31, 2016 | VOLUME 132 ISSUE 21

THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904

Many students prepare to vote in first presidential election

Photo illustration by Missy Minear

HAILEY DIXON @_Hailey_Dixon

As the 2016 election nears, students are getting ready to vote on Nov. 8. For some, it's the very first time.

Dani Sorensen, a senior from Overland Park, was four months too young to vote in the 2012 election.

Now, she said she’s more than ready.

“I am excited to vote,” Sorensen said. “It’s kind of like when you turn 16, you can drive a car and when you turn 21, you can legally consume alcohol.”

However, not all young people will get to the polls to vote like Sorensen.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, only 45 percent of young voters ages 18 to 29 voted in the 2012 presidential election.

“We take pride in telling people that ‘I don’t vote.’ To me, that is something that I wouldn’t be proud of. That says I’m leaving the laws and leaders of my country to somebody else,” Barbara Ballard, associate director of the Dole Institute of Pol-

itics, said.

Ballard said that voting is one of the most important rights one has as a United States citizen.

“Your vote is your voice, and your vote is your power,” she said.

Ballard said that those who do not want to vote, because they believe their vote does not matter or because they dislike either candidate, are copping out.

“I don’t fit in that category, because I am definitely excited about Hillary Clinton, and I think there’s a lot of people [that] are

just excited to vote,” Ballard said. “Whether you are voting or not, one of those people is going to win, and you would have nothing to do with it. You just missed your opportunity.”

Ballard said if voters are not particularly fond of either candidate, they should look into the credentials of each candidate to help them decide who to vote for.

In addition, Sorensen said she thinks American citizens should feel lucky that they have the option to vote.

“I think it is bad if you

Why judges are on your ballot this year CHANDLER BOESE @Chandler_Boese

Clinton, Trump, Moran, Weisner, Jenkins and Potter: most of the names on this election’s ballot will probably look at least vaguely familiar to voters as they cast their ballots over the next week and a half.

But, as voters go down the ballot, they’ll likely come to a list of five names that are completely foreign to themCarol Beier, Dan Biles, Lawton Nuss, Marla Luckert and Caleb Stegall are Kansas’ Supreme Court justices, and their futures will be in the hands of Kansas voters, who will be voting whether or not to retain the judges in their current positions.

The issue of judicial retention has become a hot-button issue in state politics this year, and has been one of the greatest generators of advertising revenue within the state, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.

This is not the first time that Kansans have voted on judicial retention, said Richard Ware, a professor of constitutional law at the University.

This election has become contentious, however, as a result of a dispute between the state judicial branch and its legislative and executive counterparts that has been building for more than a decade.

“It’s an ongoing struggle, there’s no question about that,” Ware said. “The level of tension [between the court and legislature] has heightened, and I would trace it back to 2004, 2005, when things started to get increasingly nasty and it just has gone from there.”

This contentious history has included the Kansas Supreme Court ruling multiple times on school funding, the death penalty, abortion rights and same-sex marriage (before it was decided in the U.S. Supreme Court), Ware

INDEX NEWS............................................2 OPINION........................................4 ARTS & CULTURE..........................................9 SPORTS.........................................12

don’t vote, because there are a lot of countries where people can’t vote at all,” she said.

“

Your vote is your voice, and your vote is your power.”

Barbara Ballard Associate director of the Dole Institute of Politics

vote in this election because both candidates have very different beliefs and preferred policies.

“This decision is going to affect us tremendously in many different ways,” Sorensen said. “And if you want to have some sort of say in how the world is going to be, you need to go to the polls or request a mailin ballot.”

— Edited by Cody Schmitz

Sorensen said it is crucial to have college students

Suspect in Oliver Hall arrest charged with sexual battery CONNER MITCHELL @connermitchell0

Editors Note: This article details allegations of sexual assault.

A student who was arrested Thursday morning at Oliver Hall is facing one felony and one misdemeanor charge of sexual assault.

Jon Jacob Myers, 18, was formally charged Friday in Douglas County District Court with a felony count of aggravated sexual battery and a misdemeanor count of sexual battery.

According to a press release issued by the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, Myers is accused of "touching the leg of a victim in a sexual manner and later putting his hand in the pants of another

said.

In many instances, the court’s rulings were perceived as too liberal by the state legislature, which has been Republican-controlled for nearly all of the state’s existence.

Now, voters have a chance to vote on five of the Supreme Court’s SEE JUDGES PAGE 2

KANSAN.COM CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE DOZEN Check out the Kansan from each Big 12 title win at Kansan.com

victim."

Cheryl WrightKunard, assistant to the District Attorney, said Myers’ bond was set at $15,000 on conditions of not consuming alcohol or drugs, not contacting the two victims and not returning to 1815 Naismith Drive, where the alleged incident took place.

Wright-Kunard said Myers is set for a nogo preliminary, or a scheduling hearing, in Division Two court Nov. 30 at 2 p.m.

The press release said Myers is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty, and the charges are merely allegations of criminal conduct.

— Edited by Chandler Boese

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KANSAN.COM/NEWS | MONDAY, OCT. 31, 2016

Watkins encourages flu shots for students HAILEY DIXON

NEWS MANAGEMENT

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create antibodies so that if a person does come into contact with the flu, his or her body will try to fight it, Heidrick said.

Other than a fear of side effects, some people may not want to get the flu shot because of a fright of needles.

@_Hailey_Dixon

W

ith flu season on its way, University health workers want to encourage students, staff and employees to get the flu shot before it’s too late.

The flu shot ultimately helps people remain healthy throughout the flu season, which can range from October to May, according to Kate Harper, the Watkins Health Services nurse supervisor.

“Basically, the benefit of the flu shot is that we hope that the way the vaccine is designed will prevent you from getting the flu altogether,” Harper said.

According to the CDC, recent studies show the flu vaccine reduces the risk of flu illness by 50 to 60 percent among the overall population.

Joe Heidrick, the assistant dean of the school of pharmacy, said the flu shot also protects individuals from an outbreak of influenza.

“There’s different types of influenza and viruses that cause infection, but the influenza virus itself is a different virus that causes flu like symptoms,” Heidrick said. “It’s not very often that you get actual influenza, but the thing to keep in mind is that the most deadly epidemics in our country are due to the

“

File photo/KANSAN Tina Keeton, medical assistant, gives a flu shot to Laura Gilliland, a staff nurse. Watkins Medical Center offers flu shots to students during hours.

influenza virus; thousands and thousands of people were killed in the late 1800s and early 1900s.”

Heidrick encourages college students especially to get the flu shot.

“College students are the prime people that should get the flu shot because of communal living,” Heidrick said.

According to Harper, anyone older than six months should get the vaccine.

Heidrick said those that have a significant egg allergy or have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu shot in the past should not get the shot.

In addition, those that are immunosuppressed should

not get the shot, because it will not work, according to Heidrick.

Harper said students should get the shot as soon as it is available. If a person is feeling sick, it is advised that they wait to get the flu shot until the fever has passed, according to Heidrick.

“It’s not going to hurt you. It just won’t make it as effective,” Heidrick said.

After getting the shot, people can experience minor side effects, which include a sore or swollen arm, low fever and body aches, Harper said.

Even though flu shots have proven benefits, there are still myths that

surround the vaccination.

Nurses such as Harper want to debunk misconceptions and inform people about the positives of getting the vaccination.

“A popular opinion out there is that the flu vaccine can make you sick,” she said.

The injection does not contain anything that can make a person sick or come down with the flu, as the injection is an inactivated virus, Harper said.

“If you were to have the vaccine and suddenly you got the flu three days later, it would be because the shot didn’t take its full effect,” Harper said.

The shot works to

Basically, the benefit of the flu shot is that we hope that the way the vaccine is designed will prevent you from getting the flu altogether.”

Kate Harper Watkins Health Center nurse supervisor

“Needle phobia is a legitimate thing, and for some people it’s beyond their control,” Harper said.

“What I tell people is that this is not a very painful shot, and in health care we are big on risk versus benefit. The very few minutes of anxiety over that needle are far less from getting that benefit from being healthy and staying at work and staying in class.”

Campus carry viewpoints clash at KU panel CHANDLER BOESE @Chandler_Boese

Competing viewpoints on the University’s campus carry debate came together Wednesday night in a panel and discussion event hosted by the University’s chapter of Amnesty International.

After the four members of the panel — all of whom said they were against campus carry — answered general questions about the issue, the event opened up to audience questions. Many of the audience members who took the microphone were gun owners and advocates of campus carry.

The gun owners, many sporting National Rifle Association shirts, shared reasons why they would like to carry weapons on campus and asked the panel to consider their points of view.

“We’re not looking to carry guns on campus to hurt people,” said one progun audience member. “We just want to feel safe.”

The panel included University student Mike Hernandez, political science professor Paul Schumaker, Willow Domestic Violence Center employee Kristine Chapman and Kansas Rep. Dennis “Boog” Highberger.

In response to the pro-gun audience members, they spoke about the larger impact of allowing guns on campus.

Schumaker said his big-

JUDGES FROM PAGE 1 nine justices. This could significantly alter the lean of the court, Ware said, as four of the justices up for retention were appointed

by Democratic governors.

Campaigns like Kansans for Justice are asking voters to vote “no” on retaining those four justices, but to retain Stegall, a recent appointment by Gov. Sam Brownback.

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Baxter Schanze/KANSAN Signs sit in the doorway of the Kansas Union Ballroom Wednesday night during a polarized campus carry discussion.

gest concern is that allowing guns on campus would prevent classrooms from feeling safe and being open to free academic discussion.

Hernandez agreed, saying he fears that concealed carry would change relationships between students, as well as the relationship between students and instructors.

Other concerns that were raised during the panel were the lack of training required to carry a gun and the possibility of legislative change.

Many of the panel members felt the legislature’s 2015 decision to repeal the training requirement for concealed carry made campus carry much more problematic.

“For us to drive a car, we have to go in and pass a test, why wouldn’t you have to take one to fire a gun?”

Chapman said.

One of the audience

members asked panel members if they knew what concealed carry training had actually been like before the 2015 law, arguing that it had been minimal in the first place. He also said most people who feel strongly enough to carry a gun on campus have experience and more advanced training, even including competitive shooting.

Many of the audience members who were against campus carry asked Highberger about what the paths forward might be like in the Kansas legislature.

Highberger, who represents the northeast part of Lawrence, said he has high hopes for passing a bill drafted by Rep. Barbara Ballard (D-Lawrence), which would permanently exempt colleges and universities from concealed carry.

He said that bill would be his first course of action and

he would consider further compromise if the bill couldn’t get passed.

Highberger said the shifts in the legislature that the state has seen in primary elections give him hope that next term’s legislature will be more amenable to changing the law. A number of moderates won over more extreme Republican incumbents in primaries, and Highberger said he expects even more incumbents to fall in the general election.

“For some of these [legislators], protecting gun rights is like a religion,” he said.

All of the panel members encouraged the audience to vote and contact their legislators to make their voice heard on the issue of campus carry, regardless of what they think of the issue.

that Republicans control — and probably conservative Republicans control — the legislature and the statehouse, but they don’t control the courts,” Ware said. “It’s in the nature of political parties to want to control as much as they can, and so they’re trying to push for more control over the courts.”

Rep. Barbara Ballard (D-Lawrence) agreed that the retention vote has become a lot more about political parties than the jus-

tices themselves. But voting whether or not to retain justices should be about how they do their jobs, not which ideology they fit into, Ballard said.

“We need to avoid politicizing a position where you depend on getting fair decisions,” she said. “What we want is a decision that is based on what’s best for all people, not best for one party.”

If voters were to vote to not retain any of the justices, Brownback would be

able to name their replacements from a selection of qualified candidates chosen by the bi-partisan Supreme Court Nominating Commission, Ware said.

“The Republicans don’t have full control over the appointment of justices, like they might over appeals courts,” Ware said, “But Brownback would be free to pick the most conservative candidates that the commission nominates.”

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Professor, students weigh in on future of the GOP TANNER HASSELL @thassell17

W

ith an unusual election year coming to a close and a high stack of scandals piled up against the Republican presidential nominee, some people are uncertain about what the future holds for the Republican party.

Political science professor Patrick Miller said he thinks the GOP will continue moving in a more extreme direction, but the University's College Republicans Chair Adam Steinhilber and Vice Chair Sara Prendergast said they hope that a more moderate party will emerge.

Nominee Donald Trump was viewed unfavorably by 62 percent of adults nationwide as of Oct. 26, according to a Gallup poll. Among Republicans, Trump has a 28 percent unfavorable rating.

Miller said this election has exposed the changing face of the Republican Party, and could be a look into the future.

“I think this election

Associated Press Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, in Springfield, Ohio.

has highlighted how both parties are changing demographically and politically,” he said. “Democrats are becoming more liberal; Republicans are becoming more conservative. Democrats are becoming the party of higher education; Republicans are becoming the party of the white working class.”

Miller said the popularity of outsider candidates like Bernie Sanders and Trump surprised many vot-

ers.

“Both parties are diverging demographically and ideologically. People were surprised by the rise of Bernie and Trump, but really shouldn’t be when you think about how the parties are changing,” he said. “The Democrat Party of Bill Clinton is dead; the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan is gone. That was a generation ago.”

Miller said Trump’s popularity among Republicans

in this cycle, compared to support for former nominees Mitt Romney or John McCain, is an indicator of the party’s direction.

“Trump was nominated with much more consensus among Republicans than Romney or McCain were,” he said. “I think Trump has shown that there is an appeal to the way he talks and the kind of policy he promotes.”

Steinhilber and Prendergast, students at the

University, have different images of the GOP in the future, but they said it will depend on the result of this election.

“If Trump wins, he will basically be the party leader. If he loses, I see Republicans revamping [their] image,” Steinhilber said. “If Trump loses I think we’ll see the voices of younger Republicans shining through.”

Steinhilber said he would like to see the GOP become more moderate and be more inclusive.

“I think the party needs to look to the future, and what they need to do to be successful,” he said.

Prendergast said a Trump victory could send the GOP down a more conservative route, but she hopes to see a more moderate party.

“Obviously, I can’t speak for all young Republicans, but I think we need to have more consensus in general,” she said. “The parties are really moving away from the middle right now and that causes a lot of the disagreements, as we see.

There are plenty of Repub-

licans who would disagree with me, but I feel the younger generation wants to move to the center.”

Although both parties face uncertainty and questions, most eyes are on the Republicans, Miller said.

“

The Democrat Party of Bill Clinton is dead, the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan is gone.

That was a generation ago.”

Patrick Miller Professor of political science

“They certainly have some challenges,” he said.

“I think a lot of what’s happened raises the question: What is the Republican Party going to stand for? I think they face questions about what the next four years will be like.”

— Edited by Chandler Boese

University sees increase in students taking online courses TANNER HASSELL @thassell17

For many students, the on-campus experience is a major part of going to college. For others, the on-campus experience isn’t an option, and that’s where online coursework comes into play.

Online courses at the University allow traditional and nontraditional students to take classes on their own time, and the option is growing more popular every year.

Assistant Director of Academic Outreach and Online Programs Samantha Montague said the number of students taking online-only courses through the College of Liberal Arts and Science has increased by over 100 students since 2015, when the courses were first offered.

“The number of students in online-only programs has definitely increased,” she said. “We went from 64 in fall of 2015 to 162 for fall 2016. As students need access to a hybridized curriculum, the number taking online courses has increased.”

“

There’s a lot of value to the on-campus experience, but for people that need the credential and have time restrictions, it’s a very good option.”

Dee Steinle Administrative Director of Masters Programs

Montague said the growing popularity of online courses is likely associated with the number of students who have to work and take classes. Online classes, she said, give those students a chance to graduate on time.

Montague said courses that fulfill the University’s core curriculum requirements are some of the more popular options offered by

the college.

“Typically, KU Core curriculum has been popular in the online format,” she said. “We have hybridized versions of language curriculum and a fully online Haitian course.”

In the School of Business, the online MBA program has also grown in popularity, said Administrative Director of Masters Programs Dee Steinle. The school has 278 students in the program one year after its creation, which she said has exceeded expectations.

"The reception has been really surprising,” Steinle said. “It’s nice to know our brand carries so much weight, not just locally but around the country.”

Steinle said the MBA program is done in an entirely online setting, which allows students to earn an MBA on their own time and in a more personable format.

“It’s really a self-standing degree,” she said. “The students in the program look a lot like the students utilizing our part-time program at the Edwards Campus. They’re generally working, professional people who are looking to add to a four-year degree.”

While Steinle said the traditional experience is the best all-around option for students, she said the online MBA is designed to cover the critical elements of business.

That makes the program a more valuable option for those who have time restrictions, but it can still be advantageous for traditional students on campus as well.

“There’s a lot of value to the on-campus experience, but for people that need the credential and have time restrictions, it's a very good option,” she said. “Students on the ground may find that mixing in online courses is a good option.”

Montague said online courses are just as good as on-campus courses, in terms of the quality of the degree.

“Here at the University,

we handle the online courses with the same amount of resources and oversight," she said. "The online courses mirror on-campus courses in quality."

With online courses growing more popular, Montague said the college is looking to expand online-only degree options.

“We hope to offer a few more majors online, as well as more certificates and minors,” she said. “We absolutely want to expand. One of our main missions is to provide access to those who don’t have the time for a traditional experience.”

Steinle said the School of Business will certainly expand its online program in time.

Photo Illustration by Missy Minear

Proven Leadership Dear Friends and Neighbors: Now is a good time to review Barbara Ballard’s long and impressive record of service, so we can work and vote to send her back to Topeka. Some things are changing within the state, and we should all benefit from Barbara Ballard’s experience, leadership, wisdom, poise, and energy as these changes develop.

Barbara now Chairs the Minority Caucus for the Kansas House. She is also known nationally, as President and member of the Executive Board of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. Within the Kansas House, she is a member of the all-important Appropriations Committee, the ranking Democrat on the Social Services Budget Committee, a member of the Transportation Committee, and a member of the Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight Committee, which will have a great deal of highly important work to do in the coming session.

Barbara has served well, and continues to serve Lawrence in a good variety of ways with Board service for Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Cottonwood, Inc., and a past member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Barbara earned Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Guidance and Counseling, and Counseling and Student Personnel Services from K-State. At KU she is currently Associate Director of the Dole Institute of Politics, after directing the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center and serving as both Associate Dean of Students and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. These experiences, many of them related to her terms as a member, and twice President, of the USD 497 School Board (1985-1993), give her a welcome comprehensive understanding of the ways our state’s public education system works, which has been threatened in recent years. Barbara Ballard carries both a professional perspective and common sense about how we could and should improve on Kansas public education, our best hope for our children and grandchildren.

Barbara Ballard then has extraordinary qualifications to continue her service and leadership in the Kansas House, not only for the 44th district, but for all of Lawrence and surrounding counties, and for the entire state as well. Make sure to vote for her in the general election on November 8th. She is a good one.

James B. Carothers, Professor Emeritus and many other Supporters of Barbara Ballard

Barbara Ballard State Representative Forty-Fourth

Paid for by Barbara Ballard for State Representative Treasurer: Chuck Fisher

opinion FREE-FOR-ALL ›› WE HEAR FROM YOU

KANSAN.COM | MONDAY, OCT. 31, 2016

Doerr: Offensive team mascots need to go

Have you seen the sign by the Chi-o fountain that says “No Standing Any Time”?

Apparently, no one else has, either!

Love is nice I guess.

But historically, fear is more effective.

Pornhub doing the lord’s work. * realizes I uploaded the wrong cover letter * * shrieks at the top of my lungs for 2 minutes while correcting it * Why tf is Twitter trying to show me 20 hourold tweets? That was 40 news cycles ago, bro, get it together.

They call me yam daddy hobbies: screwing up there is something deeply wrong with my face As the shadows get longer, so do my eyeliner wings.

Imagine Kid Rock singing the national anthem at Trump’s inauguration. which wine pairs best with gummy worms and regret What ever happened to yo mama jokes?

PSA: The FBI “reopening” of Hillary’s email case *actually* has nothing to do with her or her email server On the eighth day god gave us corn dogs.

Remember to vote for Donald Trump on Nov. 28 Just make it through the next week and a half, America. It’ll get better after Black Eyed Peas: awful in every form Nightmares of our own creation: finals week, rush week, this election cycle 5 more weeks of class... (not counting Thanksgiving and finals)

JACOB DOERR @No_Doerr

CW: Racism alking into work at the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland three summers ago, I walked underneath a 28-foot neon sign depicting the Cleveland Indians’ “Chief Wahoo” mascot in baseball garb in order to enter the Library. His left leg curls underneath him above the entrance as he prepares to swing at an imaginary pitch.

Last week, I encountered the “Chief” again, as the Cleveland Indians swept the Boston Red Sox in the American League Divisional Series, advancing to win the American League pennant and a chance to play in the World Series. Above the spurts of champagne stood Cleveland’s offensive logo on the team’s caps.

The modern version of Cleveland’s logo adorns most Cleveland baseball memorabilia, but I won’t go into specifics describing it. The most amazing part of this logo’s history is that the modern incarnation is somehow more humane than past ones, which are also still sold on memorabilia.

Working in the Library behind the “Chief,” I learned that much of Cleveland’s population emigrated to the United States after 1900; waves of Jewish, Hungarian, Polish, Italian and African-American immigrants came to work in the major factories after Theodore Roosevelt lamented the disappearance of “the frontier.”

It speaks to the ubiquity of the stereotype that it features so prominently in a Rust Belt community.

A very different history exists here on the Plains. Existing reservations scattered across the state exist because of a violent history. Most of Kansas’ original white inhabitants were settlers who came to make a living on land that

W

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was either taken by force or was in the process of being taken.

Lawrence itself is home to the Haskell Nations Indian University, founded in 1884 as a boarding school tasked with assimilating its Native students. And, thanks to the bravery of Native protesters, among others, Lawrence was one of five cities to send a letter of support to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the midst of its battle to protect its land from a pipeline (#NODAPL), featured next to cities such as Seattle and Minneapolis among others.

The ways in which this battle and continuous process has shaped Lawrence, Kansas, and the Plains region is both clearly visible and continually important.

Some argue that because Native Americans are less visible to mainstream (i.e. white) Americans due to the intended isolation of reserva-

tions, that it has been hard to create momentum to make changes to the names and logos of the Indians and other racially offensive team mascots.

“

It has been hard to create momentum to make changes to the names and logos of the Indians and other racially offensive team mascots.”

But that can’t be true.

Cleveland, for example, was one of nine urban areas that the United States government actively encouraged Native Americans to emigrate to under the Indian Urban Relocation Program of 1952; 750,000 Native people would eventually move

from reservations into urban areas. Native Americans are present and have contributed to urban American history in recent decades and many before that.

While working in Cleveland that summer, an educator from the Navajo Nation confronted me about the 20-foot abomination outside of our door. I apologized profusely, and later spoke to my supervisor, who also expressed remorse for the sign.

Despite our personal objections, a decisive majority of funders and patrons of the museum wanted the sign to remain prominent. Indeed, the mascot is now seen by tens of millions of Americans each night during the World Series.

The continued existence of the nickname and logo has been blamed on both the Cleveland Indians organization and its ownership, but to blame solely the organization

ignores the culpability of its fans, who continue to make the logo and nickname profitable.

For many Cleveland fans, and fans of other teams with racist mascots, the trouble of changing gear outweighs the effort required to recognize our violent history and continued marginalization of Native Americans, and the effect that offensive stereotypes such as “Chief Wahoo” have in perpetuating that marginalization. Until this effort no longer outweighs the inconvenience of putting a hat down or changing shirts, for most fans, the Indians’ name and its logo will continue to be both popular and profitable.

Jacob Doerr is a graduate student from Shenandoah, Iowa, studying public administration.

McCarthy: Rigged election claims unfounded

Don’t tell me my password is weak, my password can be whatever the frick I want it to be.

READ MORE AT KANSAN.COM

Illustration by Jacob Benson

Like many Americans, I have just about had it with this presidential election.

Being a political junkie, however, I still check my Twitter feed every day to see the latest woman who has accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct or the new emails that WikiLeaks released about Hillary Clinton and her campaign.

One headline stood out to me in particular last week: a tweet from Trump that said, “Of course there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before Election Day.” Donald Trump has said a lot of hateful, offensive and downright false things in this election, but this has to be among the biggest fibs he has told so far. These claims are simply not grounded in reality.

“

These claims are simply not grounded in reality.”

Does voter fraud happen?

Of course it does, but not on the scale that Trump is suggesting. According to a report by a professor at the Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, out of one billion ballots cast, there were only about 31 incidents of voter fraud found between 2000 and 2014.

Trump and his surrogates have also claimed that there is a “massive problem” with “illegal immigrants [who] are voting.” At a rally last week, Trump cited research by professors at Old Dominion University, claiming that more than 14 percent of noncitizens in both 2008 and 2010 were registered to vote. However, this study has been largely debunked by experts. A Harvard professor who manages the data used

in the study said the data was misused and the study’s conclusions are wrong.

Despite this evidence, Trump has continued to say that the election is being “rigged,” and the reason he is not winning in any polls is because the “crooked media” is biased against him. During the third presidential debate last week, he even refused to say he would accept the results of the election.

As you can probably tell, I am not a big fan of Trump.

That being said, if he were to be elected president of the United States, I would accept the results.

America considers itself to be the greatest democracy on Earth. That means that we have the expectation of free and fair elections. Every

losing presidential candidate in American history has conceded to the winner. Even Al Gore conceded to George W. Bush in 2000, and with the controversy surrounding that election, he could have contested it for years.

The peaceful transition of power is one of the basic tenants of our democratic system. It is one thing to dislike the outcome of the election, but to say that it is illegitimate because it did not turn out your way is not only childish but dangerous.

Kevin McCarthy is a senior from Lenexa studying political science, history, and public policy.

— Edited by Cody Schmitz

Tuesdays

25% OFF KU GEAR & GIFTS

arts & culture HOROSCOPES ›› WHAT’S YOUR

KANSAN.COM | MONDAY, OCT. 31, 2016

SIGN?

Aries (March 21-April 19) Celebrate without spending a fortune. You can do a lot with glitter and paint.

Collaborate to get the effect you’re looking for. Contribute to a good cause.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You and a partner incite some fun, inspired by last night’s New Moon. Craft the perfect situation. Glamorize the proceedings with special flair. Your relationship transforms.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Discover a New Moon breakthrough in health, vitality and your work over the next few weeks. Determine your goals. The pace quickens. Practice and grow stronger.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Fall in love all over again.

A romantic relationship transforms under the New Moon. Imagine perfection, and devote yourself to another’s happiness. Share art, creativity and laughter.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Enjoy a new domestic phase. Decorate your place and fill it with delicious flavors and fragrances.

Family fun grows your heart stronger. Share a sense of wonder.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Launch a new phase in creative expression with last night’s New Moon. Share what you’re up to and invite others to participate. Include music, sparkle and ritual.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Consider possibilities.

A profitable new phase begins with the New Moon.

Expand your operation, as you strengthen and build support. Keep a spiritual view. Give thanks.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Realize a personal dream over the next two weeks, with the New Moon in your sign. You can make it happen. Hone to what’s most authentic. Keep the faith.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Past, future and present mingle in your thoughts.

This New Moon provides fertile ground for imagination and spiritual discovery.

Enjoy meditation and ritual.

Contemplation illuminates previously unseen possibilities.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Together, you’re an unstoppable force. Community efforts grow stronger with this New Moon. Compassion feeds your movement.

Organize and support each other. Display your colors proudly.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Launch a new professional venture with this New Moon.

An enticing possibility is worth going for. Practice your moves, prepare your lines and dress the part.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) An adventure tantalizes.

Embark on an educational journey over this New Moon phase in Scorpio. Collaborate with long-distance partners and teachers. Develop new capacities and talents.

Contributed photo Ben (left) and Jacob (right) Burghart, two University alumni, are seeking funding for their first feature-length film.

KU alumni developing feature-length film GUS HUNNINGHAKE @gushunninghake

T

he limitations of living in small-town Kansas jumpstarted Ben and Jacob Burghart’s interest in filmmaking. That, and a little nudge from their mother.

“It was mostly boredom,” Ben said. “Plus our mom would lock us outside to get us away from video games.”

This drove the Burghart brothers, both University alumni, to create their own short action films, and will culminate with the production of “Follow the Leader,” the duo’s first feature-length film.

Even at the ages of eight and ten, the Burgharts had to figure out how to think on their feet. When friends couldn’t show up to film or didn’t want to play that day, Ben and Jacob would use action figures, or themselves, as stand-ins. Doing this opened up their understanding of decision-making, not just from behind the camera, but from the actor’s side as well, they said.

Originally conceived in 2009, “Follow the Lead-

er” was a project that the Burgharts shelved, knowing there was some potential in the idea.

When they came to the University, Ben and Jacob began entering short films in the Wild West Film Fest, a local biannual short film contest. They especially enjoyed the horror-themed competition in the fall. This is where they met Josh Doke, now a collaborator on “Follow the Leader.”

Instead of continuing to compete against the brothers, Doke and his partner began to talk with Ben about collaborating on a future project. This led the brothers to eventually pitch their idea from 2009 as a feature-length film to be produced by Doke’s production company, Rockhaven films.

“Follow the Leader” takes place in the 1990s and tells the story of three people who are dropped in an abandoned mall. One has lost their sight, the second has lost their hearing and the third is now mute. When they discover that they are not alone in this mall, they must work togeth-

er to survive and hope that trusting one another can get them through this unimaginable tight spot.

Ben said the film takes place in the 1990s because they wanted to hearken back to a nostalgic time. Doke said it’s also useful to be able to remember the year.

“It also makes for better source material,” Doke said.

“It gives us more ideas to draw from since we grew up in that time.”

Ben added, “We also wanted to use the ‘90s in a sort of satirical sense. We kind of want to ask the question, ‘What if the good old

days weren’t actually all that great?’”

“

‘What if the good old days weren’t actually all that great?’”

Ben Burghart Filmmaker

Recently, the Burgharts started a Kickstarter campaign to raise $10,000. With just under two weeks left, and nearly halfway to their goal, they hope to use the funds for almost every aspect of the

production process, from the set, to the camera package, to their actors’ wages.

Both Doke and Ben expressed their hope that this film resonates throughout Kansas and beyond its borders. Production is set to begin in February.

“We don’t just want to make a film that’s good for being from Kansas,” Doke said. “We just want to make a good film. Period.”

— Edited by Chandler Boese

Contributed photo A still from the film “Follow the Leader.”

Could you write a novel in only a month?

JOSH MCQUADE

@L0neW0lfMcQuade

November is known for Thanksgiving, Movember and the beginning of the holiday season. However, for aspiring writers, it is also National Novel Writing Month.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an international nonprofit that invites anyone in the world to write a novel in just a month’s time. Those who participate in NaNoWriMo begin their journey to a 50,000-word novel Nov. 1, writing until Nov. 30.

Lawrence hosts around 10-20 active participants, including Neil Siemers, the municipal liaison for Lawrence. Siemers gathers the active writers for multiple events during the 30-day span. These events bring writers together to motivate each other.

“When you are doing [NaNoWriMo] in groups, you have other people to hold you accountable for your writing,” Siemers said.

“Writers can also test ideas on one another to see the

reactions of others.”

NaNoWriMo prioritizes quantity over quality, the ultimate goal being a 50,000word novel. Although the quality of the novel may not be the best, Siemers said it’s a great accomplishment to balance your time wisely to reach the goal.

“The point of NaNo is not to write perfectly, but to get out your first draft,” Siemers said. “It’s about getting rid of your excuses.”

“

The point of NaNo is not to write perfectly, but to get out your first draft, it’s about getting rid of your excuses.”

Neil Siemers Municipal liason for Lawrence

However, some University students are willing to take the challenge while balancing their classes.

One of these students is Wil Kenney. Kenney said he thinks that November is

File photo/KANSAN

an inconvenient month for students to write novels, as the classes are beginning to focus on finals, but he has still been able to do it.

Kenney said he first heard of NaNoWriMo as a freshman or sophomore in high school from an upperclassman who had been participating in the event. It wasn’t until three years ago that he finally took on the challenge and was able to complete his first

novel during the allotted time. Now he’s done two more, and he said his first novel was his worst.

“Any craft, any skill, if you do it long enough, you will get better,” Kenney said.

NaNoWriMo is a free event and has sponsors that offer prizes in the form of gift certificates or other goodies.

But Kenney said the real reward isn’t so tangible.

“The reward, honestly,

is the work you end with,” Kenney said.

National Novel Writing Month is free to participate in but does collect donations in order to keep up the website and run other programs through the nonprofit. For more information, visit nanowrimo.org.

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Former Paramore drummer’s new band to play in KCMO SAVANNA SMITH @SavSmith27

Z

ac Farro started his career at the age of 12, when he helped start the now-defunct band, Paramore. Two years later, he was touring around America with the band.

It wasn't until the Nashville, Tenn., native had spent the entirety of his teenage years on the road that he said he realized he needed to find himself. That revelation led him to spend a year in New Zealand.

"I was kind of growing up on the road," Farro said.

"I needed a place to hit the restart button, if you will."

During his time in New Zealand, he said he realized he wanted to write his own

music, and continued to travel and write for himself.

Now 26, he's returned with HalfNoise.

HalfNoise — Farro's new alternative indie pop project — will play at the Tank Room in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 2.

"For the most part [HalfNoise] — it's kind of like my baby," Farro said.

While listed on iTunes as an alternative band, Farro described his music as "alternative indie pop music."

He said HalfNoise's music is quite different from Paramore's. He grew up listening to indie pop, so that genre naturally came to him as inspiration as he started writing his own music.

Colleen Hand, a fan of the band and a freshman

from Wichita, said HalfNoise has a lot to offer.

"The music is kind of all about the beat, right?"

Hand said. "For the everyday listener walking down the street needing something to listen to. That works. But if you’re that person who really wants music to take you to another place and wants it to be thought-provoking and relaxing then he’s a perfect artist to listen to."

Farro's most recent album, "Sudden Feeling," which was released in September, will be showcased at the show. He said the album has been heavily inspired by two legendary bands.

"The songwriting is inspired by the Beatles, and

the rhythms are inspired by the Talking Heads," Farro said.

Farro said his live show includes a lot of percussive and upbeat elements, making the show enjoyable for those who don't know the band.

"Also, even if you don't know HalfNoise's music, I wrote this album to be upbeat so even if you can't sing along, even if they don't know the music, they can connect in some way," Farro said.

The concert will also feature Brother and Sleepwvlker. Tickets are $10 and available online at thetankroom.com.

— Edited by Christian Hardy

Contributed Photo Zac Farro, founder of HalfNoise. HalfNoise will play in Kansas City, Mo. on Nov. 2.

Hoedl: TV shows can encourage civic engagement ALYSSA HOEDL @ahoedl

Politics don’t usually get people excited about discussing their views; however, the television industry has seemingly tried to change that by producing more and more shows having to do with American politics.

Three TV shows that really delve into American politics are “The West Wing,” “House of Cards” and “Scandal.”

“

The more knowledge people have about politics and get involved, the better our political system works.”

Now, not all of these shows are as factually accurate as others, but they all show the American people what theoretically could

Contributed Photo A still from “House of Cards,” starring Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey.

happen within the confines of Washington, D.C., and they’re a good way of driving political conversation.

“The West Wing” premiered in 1999 and ran until 2006. It followed fictional President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his two terms in the White House.

The show focused on the inner workings of the different staff members in the senior staff of the President and their struggles to get legislature to pass, and more.

While “The West Wing” tended to try to stay in the more realistic realm and

KANSAN CLASSIFIEDS

have a lighter feel, “House of Cards” and “Scandal” both have a much darker tone.

The main focus of “House of Cards” is on power couple Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) and their quest to do what-

housing

ever it takes to get ahead in Washington, D.C. “Scandal,” created by Shonda Rhimes, is very similar to “House of Cards” in the darker sense, however, its focus is on crisis management leader Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and her relationship with

the White House and other political leaders around Washington D.C. The storylines in these shows may seem way too out-there, however, after watching this year’s presidential election process play out, they seem a lot more realistic.

Political shows can help people who don’t have much political knowledge get active and start to learn about what really is happening in our country. Even though politics usually don’t feel as interesting or as exciting as what we see happen on screens, it’s still important.

The more knowledge people have about politics and get involved, the better our political system works.

If the best way to get people involved is to create fictional political shows that illustrate a crazy and intense Washington D.C., so be it.

— Edited by Christian Hardy

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by American households, such as food item descriptions, quantities & prices, where the food is acquired, & the form(s) of tender used. The primary role of the NFS field interviewers will be to locate, obtain cooperation from, & screen interview selected respondents in their homes, as well as train respondents how to use smartphones, tablets or laptops, & Wi‑Fi devices to collect data. To apply, go to www.westat.com/fieldjobs & enter 11339BR in the space provided. WESTAT EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

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The City of Lawrence is hiring for the following P/T positions: Lifeguards $8.25 per hour Aquatic Instructors $9 per hour Pool Cashiers $8.25 per hour Apply online at: www.LawrenceKS.org/Jobs PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT for disabled male, $10/hr. Help with stretches, shower & other jobs, we train. Flex 3‑4hr/day near campus kucapper1@yahoo.com Century School is Hiring Now! Part time teaching positions flexible hours. For more information call Sara or Jon at 785‑832‑0101

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sports KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | MONDAY, OCT. 31, 2016

Payne turns in big performance against Texas JORDAN WOLF @JordanWolfKU

A

s the Kansas volleyball team walked off the court following its 3-2 victory over Texas on Saturday, a crowd of Jayhawk fans stayed in their seats, chanting “Kelsie! Kelsie! Kelsie!”

The inspiration for their chants, Kansas junior Kelsie Payne, had just led the Jayhawks to their first victory over the Longhorns in 13 years. She finished with 21 kills on a .254 hitting percentage, and picked up 6 blocks as well. Her performance was certainly worthy of an ovation, and she was thankful to have received such a warm reception.

“They’re amazing,” Payne said about the fans. “They support us through thick and thin, even in like, the fourth set when we fall and they were still cheering for us and being loud, so that’s all we could ask for.”

Entering the match, the Jayhawks knew they would have to get things going on offense to combat Texas’ conference-leading attack. Payne stepped up to steer the ship.

Payne wasted no time getting things going. Despite a slow start by the team that ended in a first-set loss, she found herself with seven kills as the second set began.

She didn’t look back.

Payne continued her dominance throughout the rest of the match, finishing it off with three kills in the shortened fifth set. 21 kills were good enough for a team high, and were accompanied by second-highest block and hitting percentage numbers.

It was her fifth time leading the team in kills in the last seven games. As the Texas game and end of conference play approached, coach Ray Bechard knew Payne’s role would need to be big.

“She’s into it,” Bechard said. “I told her, the second round of the Big 12, that she

needs to give her very best effort in front of every team that she plays. She had a good first round, but I think she can be even better in the second round.”

As a junior, this was Payne’s first victory over Texas in six tries. After years’ worth of anticipation finally paid off, she was overcome with elation.

“You can kind of picture it, but it’s not the same until you actually do it,” Payne said.

Kansas and Texas are now tied atop the Big 12 standings. With just six conference games remaining on the schedule, the Jayhawks will need to finish strong in order to keep at least a share of the conference title. No match will come easy, and Payne and her teammates know that.

“We’re gonna enjoy this moment, but then we’re gonna get right back to it tomorrow because Big 12 isn’t over, and anything can happen,” Payne said.

Baxter Schanze/KANSAN Junior middle blocker Kelsie Payne celebrates a win over Northern Iowa in August.

Sharon Lokedi wins women’s title at Big 12 Championships ADAM SCHERZER @AJscherz

Ashley Hocking/KANSAN Guard Kylee Kopatich, a sophomore from Olathe, prepares to pass the ball to a teammate during the game on Oct. 30. KU won 98-71.

Jayhawks stomp Fort Hays State MATT HOFFMANN @MattHoffmannUDK

During media day, redshirt sophomore guard Mckenzie Calvert said she wasn’t worried about impressing in her first game at Allen Fieldhouse. She just didn’t want to embarrass herself.

In her first game, an exhibition against Fort Hays State, Calvert and fellow transfer junior Jessica Washington accounted for 34 percent of the Jayhawks scoring.

Calvert went 7-of-15 from the field while Washington went 5-of-13 in a 98-71 win on Sunday.

“I’m happy that I got to finally be out there and play on a such a legendary court,” Calvert said. “Though I’m not overly excited about some of my shot selection.”

Coach Brandon Schneider was quick to point out that Sunday’s win was not without its faults.

“All of our bigs fouled everybody,” he said. “A lot of that is just discipline. Everybody thought they were Mutombo leaving their feet, bad closeouts.”

Senior forward Caelynn Manning-Allen started the game, but played just nine minutes, committed four fouls and scored just six points. Midway though the third quarter, Manning-Allen had played only four minutes but had three fouls. Her first

three entries in the play-log read “foul-turnover-foul.”

Calvert and Washington played a combined 56 minutes and committed three fouls, combined.

“She’s obviously really athletic,” FHSU coach Tony Hobson said of Washington.

“I’ve seen a lot of athletic people in my life that don’t have the ball skills to go with it, but she has it all.”

“

She’s obviously really athletic.”

Tony Hobson FHSU coach

With two new athletes available in Washington and Calvert, Schneider wants to continue the pace the team had in its last season, something he’s done for 19 years as a coach — even before Kansas — and was evident Sunday afternoon.

“I think the fans like watching when we play fast,” Schneider said.

“It’s really fun,” Calvert said of the speed. “I’ve always been on up-tempo teams, which is why I came here. It’s really fun getting out and running with your teammates.”

While Schneider wasn’t happy with the team’s foul trouble, he did like their unselfishness, especially in tran-

sition. Kansas had 26 total assists, eight coming from Jessica Washington, who fell two shy of a double-double.

Kansas’ tempo challenged FHSU, primarily because the team has had only 12 practices, according to Hobson.

He said the team had to stop what they were doing in practice just to install inbounds plays.

FHSU shot 33 percent from the field and only 20 percent from behind the three-point line. The Tigers were forced to play four true freshmen in their normal rotation due to injury.

“Their first ever game being here, I didn’t even know if they’d be able to get up and down the court,” Hoboson said.

Junior guard Chayla Cheadle had 18 points for Kansas, tied for team best with Calvert. Sophomore guard Aisia Robertson had 13 points in just 16 minutes.

Schneider also said he thinks Robertson has a chance to be the best on-ball defender for Kansas.

With the win, Kansas advanced to 26-1 all time in exhibition games inside Allen Fieldhouse. The last time the Jayhawks scored 98 points or more was three years ago in 2013 against Texas Southern.

Kansas will finish its exhibition slate with a game against Washburn next Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Kansas men’s and women’s cross country teams competed against their conference foes this past Saturday at the Big 12 Championships. The event was highlighted by a firstplace finish by sophomore Sharon Lokedi with a time of 20:18.5. This marks the first time in the women’s program history that a runner has captured an individual league title.

The women’s efforts put them into sixth place, and the men finished in fourth place. Iowa State took the team title on the women’s side and Oklahoma State placed first on the men’s side.

Lokedi said she had been working for the moment and knew she had it in her to succeed.

“With each mile, the more I ran, the better I felt.

I was like, ‘I can do this.’

Once I reached [the 4K mark], I knew that was the time to go. My body was adjusting well and mentally, I was ready,” Lokedi said in a press release.

Lokedi’s progress gives real hope to the coaching staff and the rest of the program.

“I am really excited for Sharon. She’s phenomenal and she’s done nothing but great things for us. She really prepared well for this,” coach Stanley Redwine said. “So it was really nice to see her hard work pay off.

Hopefully this is just a sign of what’s to come.”

Senior Hannah Richardson ran a solid race, placing 19th with a time of 21:22.0.

The rest of the Jayhawk scorers were junior Lydia Saggau in 31st, senior Malika Baker finishing 33rd and senior Jennifer Angles, who placed 46th.

“I’m happy, but I know we still have a lot to do as a team,” Lokedi said. “This is just the beginning. We have more to do and we have more to work on. We must look forward and

Missy Minear/KANSAN Sophomore Sharon Lokedi leads a pack of runners at the Rim Rock Classic in Lawrence on Oct. 1.

think about what lies ahead of us.”

On the men’s side, the team was lead by senior James Hampton, who finished 14th with a time of 26:01.5. This top-15 finish earned Hampton All-Big 12 honors. This award goes to show how much Hampton has improved throughout his career.

“

She’s phenomenal and she’s done nothing but great things for us.”

Stanley Redwine Cross Country Coach

“My freshman year at this meet I was in the back, but each season I have progressively gotten better,” Hampton recalled. “It really shows that you don’t have to be the best runner

when you’re a freshman. It matters when it’s your last Big 12s. I wanted to go out there, do my best and give it my all, and I think I did that today.”

The rest of the men’s team fared well, too. The other KU runners included junior Chris Melgares in 17th, sophomore Michael Melgares in 19th, sophomore Dylan Hodgson in 22nd and senior Daniel Koech in 32nd.

“It really helps my confidence both individually and as a team,” Hampton said. “Each meet, we’ve put the pieces together. Beating Oklahoma today was a great confidence boost for us and so was getting fourth.”

Next up for the Jayhawks is NCAA Midwest Regional Championships on November 11th. The event is being held in Iowa City, Iowa. The men will run the 10k race and the women will run the 6k race.

— Edited by Ilana Karp

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

CHAMPIONSHIPS by the

D O ZE N

It’s hard to believe that Kansas has won, in some capacity, 12 straight Big 12 championships. Winning the title every year has become so second-nature to Kansas fans.

After Bill Self won his seventh Big 12 title in 2010, after the celebration and the nets were cut down, he was asked about

2 010 2 0 11 2 012 2 013 2 014 2 015

UCLA’s thirteen-straight conference titles, a college basketball record.

“Of course, they had 13,” Self said. “And we aren’t getting 13.”

Now, Self is one season away from hitting that mark. One season away from accomplishing what even he admitted was the impossible. One sea-

son away from one of the greatest runs in college basketball history.

Self already has more Big 12 rings than he does fingers. But this season, when Kansas can tie the longest conference championship streak of all time, there seems to be some kind of added emphasis.

Kansas is already one of a few blue-blooded teams in college basketball. But even most of those schools can’t say they went on a run like this. This section recalls some of the best moments from that run, the teams that won all those titles, and what was going on in the world during

those years.

My hope, as sports editor, is that seeing these moments — all of the obstacles Self has had to navigate through his time here — will underline just how rare and special a run like this is.

– Christian S. Hardy Sports Editor

CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE DOZEN

B2

KANSAN.COM

STARTING FIVE AARON MILES Senior guard Miles averaged 9.3 points and 7.2 assists in his last of his four seasons as Kansas’ starting point guard.

He’s ninth all-time in NCAA Division I assists with 954, which is a Kansas and Big 12 record.

J.R. GIDDENS Sophomore guard This was Giddens’ last season at Kansas before transferring to New Mexico on a mutual agreement between him and Bill Self. He averaged 10.1 points per game, good for third on this team behind Wayne Simien and Keith Langford.

NEWS

2005

WAYNE SIMIEN Senior forward The Leavenworth native was a consensus first-team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year after he averaged an absurd 20.3 points and 11 rebounds per game.

His No. 23 jersey was retired in January 2011.

SEASON AT A GLANCE Kansas started this year at No. 1 in the polls and rolled off 14-straight wins before taking a 19-point loss to Villanova. The Jayhawks closed the regular season by losing four of their last six games, and went 1-2 in postseason play.

The last loss hurt the worst, of course, as No. 3-seeded Kansas fell to No. 14-seeded Bucknell in the first round of the NCAA tournament after Simien’s game-winning shot clanked out.

BY THE NUMBERS 1,812 — Langford finished his career as the seventh all-time scorer at Kansas with 1,812 points. .091 — Kansas had a poor three-point percentage in the game against Bucknell that ended the season. The Jayhawks were 1-of-11 from behind the arc.

21 — Previously, the Jayhawks had advanced past the first round of the NCAA tournament for 21-straight tournaments before this loss, brought on partly by Langford’s flu and ankle issues.

Hurricane Katrina hits the Gulf Coast, leaving millions without a home and over a thousand dead.

SPORTS

KEITH LANGFORD Senior guard Langford averaged 14.4 points and four rebounds per game in his final season at Kansas. He finished his career at seventh on Kansas’ all-time scoring list with 1,812 points in four years with the Jayhawks.

CHRISTIAN MOODY Junior forward In this season, Moody went from walk-on to a part-time scholarship player, eventually playing on scholarship for his senior season.

Moody is maybe best remembered for Kansas fans yelling “MOOOO” when the 6-foot-8 forward made a play.

President George W. Bush officially swears in for his second term Jan. 20.

Jeff Jacobsen/KU Athletics

FEB. 24, 2005

KANSAS 81 OKLAHOMA STATE 79

Simien blazes the trail for Kansas MIRANDA LENNING

originally published in 2005

F

or a guy who doesn’t show much emotion on the court, Wayne Simien was certainly fired up yesterday.

Even before the tip-off, Big Dub had his hands in the air, waving to the 16,300 fans in Allen Fieldhouse. After Kansas’ 81-79 victory against Oklahoma State, he was fist pumping like Tiger Woods.

Not to mention what happened during the game. The senior forward put the Jayhawks on his back, scoring a career-high 32 points and adding 12 rebounds.

After the game, he was all smiles. He knew his team had gotten an important victory.

“I’m not one to show much emotion, but this was just extra special today,” Simien said. “This was one of our last home games, two of the top teams in the country were going at it fighting for a championship, emotions were hot and the crowd was into it.”

The Jayhawks clearly knew they had to do one thing to win. “Just feed the beast and good things will happen,” senior guard Aaron Miles said.

For the first time in four games, good things did happen for the Jayhawks.

Their coach got a victory against his mentor and his alma mater. The Jayhawks, 21-4 and 11-3 in the Big 12, regained sole possession of the conference lead. And perhaps more importantly, Kansas won a close game against a good opponent, and played like one of the tops teams in the country.

Self said he’d never been a part of a game where two teams competed harder, where the atmosphere was better or as well officiated.

It was tough week for the Kansas basketball team. After losing to Okla-

homa last Monday, the Jayhawks did some soul searching. They put in work on the practice floor and shut themselves off from the outside world.

No media. No cell phones. No distractions.

The Jayhawks just wanted to focus on playing Oklahoma State. They didn’t talk to the media all week. Saturday night, they turned their cell phones over to the coaches. It didn’t matter that they had family and friends in town. This team was determined to be focused.

“I think we did a good job of eliminating those outside distractions,” Miles said.

The return of junior forward Christian Moody to the line-up was another instrumental element of the Jayhawks’ success yesterday. Simien shot the ball 17 times, three less than he had in the previous two games combined.

“He just made himself Big 12 player of the year,” senior guard Keith Langford said. “We just rode his back.”

Simien scored 14 firsthalf points as the Jayhawks shot 68 percent from the field in the first half. The thing is, the Cowboys were just as good. They had just two turnovers in the first half and went 5-10 from behind the arc.

The 39-39 halftime score left for a leaveit-all-out-on-the-court second half. Self said he didn’t want to play anyone more than 16 minutes in the first half because he anticipated an intense second half.

Other than Miles, who played 17 first-half minutes, none of the Jayhawks went over 16. The Jayhawks opened the second half with an 8-0 run that put them up by as many eight with about 12 minutes to play.

But the Cowboys went on a run of their own, rattling off 10 straight.

Before Kansas knew it, they were down by seven points with 6 minutes left.

The Jayhawks appeared to be in trouble.

So what happened in the games’ final minutes?

“Wayne,” Langford said. “He got after it, made some big plays and got a couple of big stops.”

Kansas finished the game on a 12-3 scoring run ignited by a Miles three point shot with 4:30 left.

That gave the Jayhawks momentum and they tied the score at 78 with 1:30 to go.

Miles gave the Jayhawks their final lead with 30 seconds left in the game. Guarded by Oklahoma State guard JamesOn Curry, Miles blew past the freshman, drove to the bas- ket and layed the ball up over senior forward Ivan McFarlin.

“Christian did a good job of screening my man,” Miles said. “They had to respect Keith out on the wing so they didn’t help too much and I just found the opening.”

Holding onto a 80-79

lead, Miles went to the line. He missed the first but sunk the second to give the Jayhawks a two point lead. The Cowboys had the ball with 19 seconds left.

Senior guard Daniel Bobik inbounded the ball to senior guard John Lucas.

It appeared that Oklahoma State wanted to get the ball to senior forward Joey Graham, but the Jayhawks’ defense didn’t allow them to get set up.

“We told our guys to switch on all ball screens,” Self said. “Joey set a ball screen and it looked like they wanted to get it to him to shoot a three.”

Lucas was forced to take a quick three at the buzzer that would have won the game, but it was short, hitting the front of the rim. Simien fist-pumped.

Self high-fived his players, then he hugged his mentor.

Langford said it was just good to smile again.

“I’m happy,” Langford said. “I’m happy for coach Self and his family. I am just excited that we got the win.”

The New England Patriots defeat the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21, in Super Bowl 39.

In the NCAA Basketball Championship, North Carolina Tar Heels defeat the Illinois Fighting Illini, 75-70.

POP CULTURE Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl” is downloaded 1.7 million times, making it the most popular song of the year.

“Million Dollar Baby” wins the Academy Award for best picture.

“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” movie is released.

NOTABLE DEATHS Rosa Parks Richard Pryor Anne Bancroft

CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE DOZEN

KANSAN.COM

B3

STARTING FIVE RUSSELL ROBINSON Sophomore guard Robinson was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive team in his first of three years as a Jayhawk starter. Robinson was the facilitator of this team, averaging 9.3 points and 4.6 assists per game.

MARIO CHALMERS Freshman guard This was Chalmers’ worst shooting season at Kansas, shooting 44.5 percent from the floor and only 37.5 percent from threepoint range. But the Alaska native had much more in store for him in the coming years.

2006

Jeff Jacobsen/KU Athletics

NOV. 11, 2006

KANSAS 82 FLORIDA 80 (OT)

Julian Wright scores career-high 21 points SHAWN SHROYER

originally published in 2006

L

AS VEGAS — For five games, Kansas searched for an identity. Late Saturday night, it found one.

“Our guys were ready, focused, they played with a free mind, they weren’t up tight and weren’t trying to hang onto something. They went out and tried to take it,” coach Bill Self said.

What No. 10 Kansas took away was No. 1 Florida’s perfect record and any doubt that the Jayhawks could be one of the elite teams in the country this season, winning 8280 in overtime and taking home the Las Vegas Invitational title.

Considering all that Kansas had been through, the upset against the defending national champions gave the impression that the Jayhawks’ recent struggles might be behind them. Kansas shot well, rebounded well and defended well against the best team it’d played in the Bill Self era.

“We could have been 0-5 and we still would have come out and played hard against Florida,” junior guard Russell Robinson said.

But, as well as Kansas played as a team on Saturday, one player set the tone for Kansas — tournament Most Valuable Player, sophomore forward Julian Wright.

When there was any question as to who would make a play for Kansas, he answered.

“Julian, in the first half, was just as good as a guy can be in college,” Self said. “I thought he was fabulous.”

Wright refused to let the Jayhawks fall behind in the first half. At one point, he scored six straight points for Kansas, and of the Jayhawks’ last eight points of the half, he had five. He finished the half with 17 points and Kansas went into intermission up 37-31.

Wright’s performance left Florida coach Billy Donovan feeling lucky that his team was still in the game at halftime.

“To be honest with you, I thought we were down by 20 with the way we played in the first half,” Donovan said. “I was shocked it was only a six point game.”

Far from out of the game, Florida came roaring back in the second half. Florida’s starters scored a combined 29

points in the first half and combined for 29 points after halftime.

Of course, Kansas didn’t expect Florida to roll over. The Gators were crushing opponents before Saturday, winning by 40.5 points per game.

Self drilled that fact into his players to keep them focused.

“Coach used that as motivation last night,” Robinson said. “He said, ‘Hey, if you don’t do what you’ve got to do, you’re going to get beat by 40.’”

What Self said clicked as the Jayhawks matched the Gators’ intensity, even when Wright’s production dropped off.

Although finishing with a team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, Wright added just four points after halftime. His teammates picked him up. Arthur, Robinson, and sophomore guards Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush combined to score 41 points after the half.

Florida rallied in the second half and at the end of regulation, the game was knotted 70-70. It was only fitting that Arthur would be the Jayhawk who took over in the extra session.

Arthur grabbed three key rebounds in overtime

and scored six of Kansas’ 12 overtime points, finishing the game with 19 points.

Following two of Arthur’s free throws that brought Kansas to within one, 80-79, Wright came up with a steal and called timeout before Florida could get a jump ball call. On the ensuing possession, Chalmers found Rush underneath for a

lay-in to put the Jayhawks up 81-80.

Wright said the victory was a result of players looking to make plays.

“We’re not going to always blow a team out,” Wright said. “Once we have a mentality that we just play simple and make plays, eventually the scores take care of themselves.”

BRANDON RUSH Freshman guard Rush led the Jayhawks in scoring with 13.5 points per game from the wing, along with 5.9 rebounds. That was good enough for Big 12 Freshman of the Year and All-Big 12 First-Team, the first player to accomplish that in the Big 12, making him one of the best freshman performers in Kansas’ history.

JULIAN WRIGHT Freshman forward Wright, alongside Sasha Kaun, provided a nice frontcourt presence for Kansas after Wayne Simien graduated. Wright averaged 8.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in his freshman season, including a strong performance in the win over Texas to win the conference tournament.

SASHA KAUN sophomore center, Kaun, at 6-foot-11, was second on the team in rebounds with 5.3 per game.

He started in 29 of the team’s 33 games after starting in only two games as a freshman.

B4 STARTING FIVE RUSSELL ROBINSON Junior guard Robinson started in all but one game for Kansas, shooting an efficient 43.6 percent from the field. He finished third in the Big 12 in steals and was once again named to the All-Big 12 Defensive Team.

CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE DOZEN

KANSAN.COM

20 07

BY THE NUMBERS 14 — Kansas had won 14-straight games before losing to UCLA in the Elite Eight.

82-80 — Kansas defeated No. 1 Florida, 82-80 in overtime, in non-conference play. But despite that, Florida would go on to win the NCAA championship for the second year in a row.

MARIO CHALMERS Sophomore guard Chalmers scored more efficiently this season, averaging 12.2 points per game, second to only Brandon Rush on the team. He was third-team All-Big and All-Big 12 Defensive Team with 97 steals, a Kansas single-season record at the time.

22 — Kansas completed a 22-point comeback against Texas to win the Big 12 tournament championship, the largest comeback in team history.

NEWS

California Democrat Nancy Pelosi became the first woman speaker of the House on Jan. 4.

BRANDON RUSH Sophomore guard Rush picked up where he left off in his freshman year. He started every game and was named an All-American Honorable Mention. He dominated in the four tournament games, averaging 14.3 points and six boards per game.

Minimum wage increases to $5.85, up from $5.15, on July 24, the first jump in the minimum wage in 10 years.

JULIAN WRIGHT Sophomore forward Wright was named a third-team All-American before deciding to leave Kansas. His 30 points against Missouri were possibly the best individual performance of this season.

SASHA KAUN Junior center Kaun was a building block down low again this season, as he averaged 5.9 points and 3.8 boards per game, with a bump in each during Big 12 play.

SEASON AT A GLANCE A nice recruiting class of Darrell Arthur, Sherron Collins and Brady Morningstar made this team relatively deep, but still a bit young, with no veteran leadership. Kansas won the Big 12 outright in the regular season, but the real story was Self, who earned a contract extension then finally had some NCAA Tournament success.

Kansas, a two-seed, cruised in the first three games of the tournament, but eventually fell to UCLA, 68-55, in the Elite Eight.

SPORTS

Jeff Jacobsen/KU Athletics

MARCH 11, 2007

KANSAS 88 TEXAS 84 (OT)

Undisputed: Kansas claims title MICHAEL PHILLIPS

originally published in 2007

F

reshman Kevin Durant was making highlight-reel shots from everywhere on the court. So what did coach Bill Self do?

He told his players to back off of Durant.

“We said to make Durant beat us, because everybody else was lighting us up,” he said. “Just try to keep the other guys under wraps.”

That, combined with a textbook example of the law of averages, fueled a second-half comeback that led to a 90-86 Kansas victory.

The Longhorns shot 11-for-14 — 79 percent — from three-point range in the first half, including a perfect 5-for-5 from Durant. That number plummeted to just 19 percent in the second

half.

Meanwhile, the Jayhawks never dropped below 50 percent from behind the arc, not panicking or rushing shots during the Longhorns’ hot streak.

“It’s a long game,” sophomore guard Mario Chalmers said. “We just wanted to keep playing the way we were defensively.”

At halftime, Self told his players not to focus on Durant, because he was going to be spectacular no matter how many hands were in his face, but to focus on the rest of the Texas team.

Sophomore forward Julian Wright led the charge as the Jayhawks took back the paint, denying Texas guard D.J. Augustin open shots off screens and keeping him away from the basket.

On the offensive end,

Wright and junior center Sasha Kaun scorednine of the first 11 points in the second half, cutting the Longhorns’ lead to two.

“Coach told us that there were no 12-point plays, but we can be aggressive and try to put pressure on them,” Wright said. “We were able to get inside more and get to the rim.”

Self said he was pleased with the way his players handled the halftime deficit.

“It’s good to be under pressure situations, and I think our guys felt pressure in the first half,” he said. “It’s good to be able to play out of that.”

The game also changed when Durant went down midway through the second half, re-aggravating an ankle injury.

With Durant out of

the game, Kansas outscored Texas 10-7. He returned three minutes later, although he played with a noticeable limp for the remainder of the game.

The Longhorns left Allen Fieldhouse impressed by the depth and talent of the Jayhawks.

“They have somebody for every position,” Augustin said. “They have big guys and they have guards.”

Wright took his turn stepping up on Saturday, holding Durant in check with man-to-man coverage and allowing the rest of the team to neutralize the Longhorns in the second half. Self tipped his hat to all the players, saying the athleticism was at a high level.

“There wasn’t a lot of play running out there,” he said. “There were a lot of guys making plays.”

The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears, 29-17, in Super Bowl 41.

The Florida Gators defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes, 84-75, in the NCAA Basketball Championship.

POP CULTURE

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” and “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” were the highest grossing films of the year.

Daughtry’s self-titled album was the best-selling album in America.

NOTABLE DEATH

Kurt Vonnegut Anna Nicole Smith Evel Knievel

Next to Daisy Hill and West Campus

www.meadowbrookapartments.net

785-842-4200 #jayhawksatthebrook

CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE DOZEN

KANSAN.COM

B5

STARTING FIVE RUSSELL ROBINSON Senior guard Mario Chalmers did more of the ball-handling in this season, though Robinson was still a solid contributor with 7.3 points and 4.1 assists per game.

He started in every game in his final season with Kansas.

MARIO CHALMERS Junior guard Chalmers came up big in the tournament. Of course, he had “the shot” to push Kansas to overtime against Memphis, but over the tournament he averaged almost 15 points and three assists per game. He was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player for his performance, and his jersey was retired

by Kansas.

BRANDON RUSH Junior guard After he declared, then undeclared for the NBA Draft after 2007, Rush continued his dominant scoring, averaging a team-high 13.3 points per game.

But he was crucial through the tournament as well, averaging nearly 16 points in those six games.

DARNELL JACKSON Senior forward After mostly sitting on the bench for three years, Jackson replaced Julian Wright after he left for the NBA, and contributed heavily all year for Kansas, averaging 11.2 points and 6.7 rebounds — a team high — per game.

DARRELL ARTHUR By the end of Arthur’s sophomore season, the 6-foot-9 forward had replaced Sasha Kaun as the starter down low. And that proved to be a crucial change for Bill Self, as Arthur scored team-high 20 points and pulled down 10 boards in the NCAA Championship game against Memphis.

2008

Jeff Jacobsen/ KU Athletics

NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

APRIL 7, 2008

KANSAS 75 MEMPHIS 68 (OT)

Walkin’ On Memphis: KU wins in OT MARK DENT

originally published in 2008

SAN ANTONIO — Mario Chalmers can dance now, now that his name has been permanently etched into the Kansas basketball history books.

He moved his hips to “Celebration” and slapped hands all around with his teammates in the confetti-filled jubilation of their national championship.

That’s right — national championship. Kansas (37-3) beat Memphis (38-2) 75-68 in overtime on Monday night at the Alamodome, winning its first title since 1988 and third in program history after coming back from a late nine-point deficit.

“God, we competed hard,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “It’s one thing to win. It’s another thing to win the way these guys did.”

Chalmers’ celebratory dance moves seemed so natural, just like the shot he made about 30 minutes earlier that sent the game to overtime. The play started with Sherron Collins. He had 10

seconds to make sure Kansas extended the game and kept its dream season alive. He dribbled to the right wing behind the three-point line and nearly lost the ball.

Then, Chalmers separated from his man for just long enough. Collins found him. Trailing 63-60, Chalmers shot a three near the top of the key. Overtime.

The extra period was all Kansas.

Brandon Rush started out with a layup.

Chalmers and Darrell Arthur combined for an alley-oop. When Collins made two free throws to put Kansas up 75-68, the game was finished.

Chalmers’ shot had sparked all of it.

“I just knew we had the game after that,” Arthur said.

A happy ending seemed implausible late in the second half. Memphis’ Derrick Rose nearly killed Kansas. With Memphis down 45-42 midway in the second half, Rose scored 12 straight points for Memphis. He couldn’t miss if he tried. Really. Rose fired a long off-balance

jumper at the end of the shot clock and banked it in. The basket gave Memphis a 56-49 lead with 4:10 left.

The Tigers stretched that lead to 60-51, and it looked like Memphis would cut down the nets.

“A lot of guys thought the game was over,” Darnell Jackson said, “but we just kept saying believe.”

Self said those exact words to his team.

Chalmers used Self’s message and the memories from last season’s comeback victories against Texas to motivate him.

Arthur took the inspirational words to heart as well. It was no surprise to see Chalmers take over in the clutch.

Arthur was more of an unexpected hero.

Kansas has known all season it plays superior ball when Arthur is active. Problem was, that didn’t happen too often.

In the tournament, Arthur’s inconsistency got even worse. The one they call Shady reverted to his mind-bogglingly inconsistent ways throughout the postsea-

son, disappearing in every game.

Monday night he was a changed man. Arthur scored two big baskets toward the end of regulation and got another one in overtime. He finished with 20 points. Arthur had played his best game in the biggest game of his life.

It’s something he’ll never forget, something all the Jayhawks will never forget. They battled through adversity after two losses in three games in late February and didn’t lose the rest of the way.

Now, they’re champions. They’ll go down as one of the best teams in Kansas history. It’s something Russell Robinson has hoped for since the season started.

After all the dancing, high-fiving and screaming stopped, Robinson sat in the back of a golf cart with his head in his arms and a net around his neck, thinking about the accomplishment.

“You couldn’t really have written it any better,” Robinson said. “No way you could’ve written it better.”

SEASON AT A GLANCE Kansas won its first NCAA Championship since 1988 with a core team that had been together for three years in Robinson, Chalmers and Rush. Kansas split the Big 12 regular season title with Texas, but won the Big 12 tournament title over the Longhorns at the Spring Center, 84-74.

Kansa then topped Stephen Curry’s No. 23 Davidson and No. 1 North Carolina to get to the National Championship. There, Kansas scored 12 points in the final two minutes of regulation, going perfect from the field, including the three-point shot from Mario Chalmers — now nicknamed “Mario’s Miracle” — to tie it at 63. Kansas ran away with the game in overtime to win, 75-68.

BY THE NUMBERS 1 — Kansas’ victory gave the Big 12 its first and what is still its only men’s basketball championship team.

2 — Memphis was favored by two points going into the National Championship game.

Also, Kansas is one of only two schools to win a BCS Bowl game and a men’s basketball national championship in the same school year.

37 — The team’s 37 wins are the most in a single season in Kansas basketball history.

NEWS

On May 15, California’s Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, four to three. On Nov. 4, Democratic senator from Illinois Barack Obama won the presidential election over Senator John McCain.

The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots, 17-14, in Super Bowl 42.

8!

0 0 2 e k i l n o s a e s r e h t o n a o t Here’s

CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE DOZEN

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KANSAN.COM

STARTING FIVE

BY THE NUMBERS

COLE ALDRICH Sophomore center Aldrich was Kansas’ rock down low in this season, averaging 7.7 rebounds per game.

He also provided the scoring a forward in a Bill Self team can be expected to provide with 9.4 points per game.

1-- Bill Self won his first AP Coach of the Year in this season.

He would later win his second AP Coach of the Year in 2016.

SHERRON COLLINS Junior guard Collins had an outstanding 2008-09 season for the Jayhawks in which he averaged 18.9 points. Along with an average of 5.0 assists per game, Collins had his best year as a Jayhawk statistically this season.

8-- Kansas suffered losses against Michigan State two times, both of which Michigan State was ranked No. 8 in the nation.

The first was during the regular season and the second ended the Jayhawks’ season in the Sweet Sixteen.

MARIO LITTLE Junior forward The Chicago native missed all of the previous season with an injury, so a standout junior year earned him Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors. Little averaged 4.7 points per game and 3.7 rebounds per game.

TYSHAWN TAYLOR Freshman guard Taylor also made the Big 12 All-Rookie team and was a unanimous selection.

Taylor recorded 9.7 points per game in his freshman year and 3.0 assists per game.

He originally signed a letter of intent to play at Marquette, but went back on it to join Self and the Jayhawks.

MARCUS MORRIS Freshman forward The freshman and his brother were two of the best freshman players in the nation in this season. Marcus was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie team SEASON AT A GLANCE The Jayhawks raised a fifth national championship banner in Allen Fieldhouse at the beginning of this season, and measured up to the last season in a decent way.

2-- A young Kansas team included only two seniors: Matt Klienemann and Brennan Bechard.

2009 Jeff Jacobsen/ KU Athletics

FEB. 23, 2009

NEWS

KANSAS 87 OKLAHOMA 78

Stormin’ Norman: KU wins Big 12 CASE KEEFER

originally published in 2009

NORMAN, Okla. — Two blue blurs raced across the floor at the Lloyd Noble Center as the buzzer sounded on Kansas’ 87-78 victory against Oklahoma.

It was junior guard Sherron Collins running up the sideline smiling and freshman guard Tyshawn Taylor sprinting toward the middle of the court. Eventually, the two paths of celebration met.

They shared a quick exchange, telling each other “good game,” before Collins added an extra message.

“He was like, ‘Man, this is what we’ve been waiting for,’ ” Taylor said.

Collins, Taylor and the Jayhawks are done waiting now. Kansas (23- 5, 12-1) is in sole possession of first place in the Big 12 Conference and three victories away from winning its fifth straight Big 12 regular season championship.

The Jayhawks have Collins, Taylor and sophomore center Cole Aldrich to thank for it. Aldrich might not have had the energy to sprint across Oklahoma’s gym after the game, but his presence was as important as anyone’s.

After all, Aldrich re-

corded a career-high 20 rebounds. Taylor set a career-high with 26 points.

Statisticians don’t keep career-highs of big shots, but Collins would have certainly passed his.

“This was a great win,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.

“You don’t see this too often from young kids.”

But Self didn’t want to take too much credit.

Heck, he wasn’t even the one calling the shots by the end of the game.

At least three times, Collins waved off the plays Self wanted from the bench with the game on the line. Self was helpless.

“I have no choice,” Self said. “He’s got the ball.”

Not that Self would want it any place else. Collins reaffirmed that Monday when he tied a career high with 26 points.

The Jayhawks appeared to be in a position where they could coast to victory with 11 minutes remaining and their lead at a game-high 20. It wasn’t that easy.

Twice, the Sooners trimmed the Jayhawk lead to three points within the final five minutes. Both times Collins refused to run the Jayhawks’ offense.

He took three-point shots from the top of the key and swished them to ensure Oklahoma wouldn’t get any closer.

“He feels like it’s his

team,” Self said. “I’m really proud of him. He’s been great.”

Collins’ biggest shot came with 2:30 remaining. The crowd had reached deafening levels after Oklahoma freshman Willie Warren — who had a team-high 23 points — swished a three-point shot to make the score 74-71.

The next possession, Collins received a pass from Taylor and made one of his own. Oklahoma never got it down to a one-possession game again.

Of course, Kansas may have never been in that position without Taylor.

Oklahoma opened the game on a 22-8 tear. At that point, Collins gathered the team and told them not to let this one slip away.

Taylor must have listened. He made three three-point shots before the end of the half to finish the first 20 minutes with 16 points. Kansas went into the locker room with a 36-29 lead.

“I told him it was his game,” Self said. “He was great. Tyshawn — best game he’s had in college.”

Self stopped right after that statement. He wondered aloud if it might have been Aldrich’s best as well.

Aldrich crippled Oklahoma’s offense by dominating the glass and get-

ting nearly every loose ball around him.

He also scored 15 points. But on a night where no other Jayhawk totaled more than three rebounds, Aldrich’s 20 rebounds might have been the difference.

“I knew I had a lot,” Aldrich said. “I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to try to get every board I can.’ ” Of course, this might not have happened if Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin would have played.

Griffin — the favorite to be named the national player of the year — averages 22 points and 14 rebounds per game and could have neutralized Aldrich inside.

Griffin sat out of the game with a concussion.

Self admitted the Jayhawks were at an advantage playing the “Blakeless” Sooners. But Aldrich wasn’t so sure the outcome would have changed.

“With or without Blake, they’re a great team,” Aldrich said. “They showed that tonight.”

With Collins, Aldrich and Taylor performing as they did Monday, Kansas can call itself a great team — one that’s now at the top of the standings in the Big 12.

No wonder Collins and Taylor didn’t slow down once the game ended.

“We feel pretty good,” Collins said.

Swine flu (H1N1) kills 103 people in Mexico. The epidemic later spread to the United States later in the year.

North Korean government pardons two American journalists after a visit from Bill Clinton.

President Barack Obama was sworn into office for his second term as president on Jan. 20, 2009.

Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in the Superbowl POP CULTURE

James Cameron’s “Avatar” became the highest-grossing film of all time in this year.

Lady Gaga’s “The Fame” came out in this year. The album was nominated for five Grammy awards and won two.

NOTABLE DEATHS:

Michael Jackson Walter Cronkite Steve McNair Patrick Swayze

CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE DOZEN

KANSAN.COM STARTING FIVE

B7

COLE ALDRICH Junior Center Aldrich followed up a big sophomore season by being tabbed Big 12 Preseason Co-Player of the Year along with Sherron Collins.

Aldrich followed up the expectations with 11.3 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game.

MARCUS MORRIS Sophomore forward Morris played more minutes and improved his scoring output accordingly, averaging 12.8 points. Morris also shot an excellent 57 percent from the floor.

2 01 0

XAVIER HENRY Freshman guard The freshman Henry kept the Kansas squad a young one. He averaged 19.5 points in this season.

TYSHAWN TAYLOR Sophomore guard Taylor’s contributions were balanced a little more due to Henry’s scoring presence, but Taylor still averaged 7.2 points.

SHERRON COLLINS Senior guard Collins took a small step back scoring-wise from the season before due to the emergence of Henry. Collins still earned a first team All-American honor in this season and averaged 15.5 points.

Jeff Jacobsen/KU Athletics

MARCH 3, 2010

KANSAS 82 KANSAS STATE 65

KU celebrates Senior Night with 7th title TIM DWYER

originally published in 2010

I

t’s supposed to be a feelgood night — Senior Night is. The seniors are supposed to have grins on their faces as they give their speech after beating some Big 12 foe. They’re supposed to be able to crack jokes and get laughs, even if the jokes aren’t that funny.

The smiles were there Wednesday, just like they’re supposed to be.

And it seems they were a little bit wider when the Jayhawks clinched their seventh consecutive Big 12 title on the same night.

It’s a streak unmatched since UCLA’s untouchable run of 13 consecutive Pac10 championships, which ended in 1979.

“It is amazing,” Self said. “I don’t think anybody’s won seven in a row.

And of course, they had 13, and we aren’t getting 13.”

Thirteen may be out of reach by Self ’s count, but there’s plenty of pride to

be had in seven, which no team has accomplished since the advent of the three-point line in college basketball.

And talk about impressive: With this title, Self now has as many losses at Allen Fieldhouse as he does consecutive conference championships.

That stat speaks to Self ’s unerring consistency and a primary reason why the Jayhawks are so difficult to top in conference play.

When the Jayhawks don’t lose at home, that’s

eight conference wins. Go at least .500 on the road — the worst conference record in the streak was 12-4 — and it’s tough for anyone else to claim the crown.

“This is the best place to play in the world, believe it or not,” senior guard Brady Morningstar said.

The Jayhawks can say they are the best team in the conference again, and Morningstar, hesitantly, did just that.

“I mean,” he said, pausing. “Yeah.”

He didn’t want to say yes, it seems, because the title isn’t theirs alone just yet, so the Jayhawks aren’t happy. A loss at Missouri and a Texas win at Baylor this Saturday would mean a split title with the Longhorns, the only Big 12 team the Jayhawks haven’t beat this season.

“It’s a pretty good accomplishment,” senior guard Brady Morningstar said. “But we’ve still got business to take care of Saturday. We don’t like sharing our titles.”

CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE DOZEN

B8 STARTING FIVE

KANSAN.COM 63-- Kansas broke the school record for home-court wins when it recorded its 63rd win at Allen Fieldhouse against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The streak ended at 69 and was the longest home winning streak in NCAA basketball.

MARKIEFF MORRIS Junior Center Markieff’s last season as a Jayhawk was a productive one in which he averaged 13.6 points per game.

He also contributed 8.3 rebounds per game.

MARCUS MORRIS Junior forward Before both Marcus and his brother took off for the NBA draft, he won the Big 12 Player of the Year award in this season.

Marcus’s outstanding junior season had him averaging 17.6 points per game.

TYREL REED Senior guard Reed is one of the most experienced players in Kansas basketball history, having played in a total of 132 games in his Kansas career.

In his senior season, Reed averaged 9.7 points per game.

TYSHAWN TAYLOR Junior guard Taylor led the team in assists and averaged 9.2 points per game in this season. However, he was suspended indefinitely from the team in Feb. 2010 for reasons that were never announced.

BRADY MORNINGSTAR Senior guard The Lawrence native was an important piece to the Jayhawks in his senior year. Averaging 27.3 minutes per game, Morningstar recorded 7.1 points per game.

AT A GLANCE Kansas again lost in an upset in the NCAA tournament, this time to Shaka Smart’s VCU team that made a run to the Final Four. The Jayhawks, however, did make it all the way to the Elite Eight in this season.

BY THE NUMBERS 10-- Kansas was named a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament for the tenth time in school history going into this year’s NCAA tournament.

13, 14-- Markieff Morris was picked 13th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. His brother, Marcus, was chosen 14th overall.

2 011 Jeff Jacobsen/KU Athletics

MARCH 12, 2011

originally published in 2011

KANSAS 85 TEXAS 73

T

yshawn Taylor smiled and shyly leaned away from the microphone, staring down the table at his coach with something in between hope and cockiness in his eyes.

Taylor had just said that he hoped his 20-point, five-assist, four-rebound performance was good enough to prove “that I could start for the rest of the time.”

Coach Bill Self smirked, obviously pleased with his mercurial point guard’s outstanding performance on the day, but unwilling to be effusive in his praise with Taylor in the room.

“Still had those two turnovers,” Self said.

Self was, of course, joking, but it was that kind of day for the Jayhawks, where two turnovers on an otherwise

perfect stat line were worth even a sarcastic mention.

In looking at the box score, there’s little the Jayhawks didn’t do well.

They outrebounded the fifth-best r e b o u n d i n g team in the country.

They shot 57 percent from the floor and 41 percent from three-point range. They dominated the battle inside, scoring 38 points in the paint to Texas’ 18.

“

When we play like that, it’s going to be hard to stop us.”

Marcus Morris Junior forward, 2011

“When we play like that, it’s going to be hard to stop us,” said Marcus Morris, who was named

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the tournament’s most outstanding player after the game.

Basically, if there were flaws, they were miniscule and very difficult to find. The Jayhawks got their dream rematch with Texas, the only team they had played and not beaten, and they made the most of it.

“It just happened the perfect way for us to get them in the Big 12 Championship and for all the marbles,” Morris said.

The Morris twins, who struggled in the first meeting with Texas, flourished with defensive stalwart Tristan Thompson relegated to the bench with foul trouble.

Thompson played just 11 minutes and his backups were unable to hold the twins. Marcus finished with 17 points and six rebounds on 6-of-9 shooting, while Markieff had 14 and nine rebounds on 6-of-9 shooting.

And as efficient as

Kate Middleton marries Prince William Muammar El-Quaddafi is killed The Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in the Superbowl

KU wins Big 12 title over Texas TIM DWYER

NEWS: The Arab Spring movement removes Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak from the office.

Later in the year, parliamentary elections began in Egypt.

the Jayhawks were offensively, they may have been better defensively.

“That was the best defense that we played in a while,” Self said. “We played the scouting report very well.”

The Longhorns scored 73 points, nowhere near the fewest Kansas has allowed this season, but the high score was more a product of the frenetic pace than of any particular efficiency from the Longhorns’ offense. Jordan Hamilton — who was a member of the all-tournament team alongside the Morris twins, Colorado’s Alec Burks and Texas’ Thompson — led the Longhorns with 21 points, but it took him 21 shots to get there.

“I thought we guarded in a high-possession game,” Self said. “Especially the first half. And I think that set the tone for a lot of things.”

Connecticut Huskies defeated Butler Bulldogs 53-41 in the NCAA tournament

POP CULTURE Adele’s “21” was released in 2011. It won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2012, which was the year it was eligible for the award.

“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins was published in this year. It was later adapted into popular movies.

NOTABLE DEATHS Osama Bin Laden Steve Jobs Amy Winehouse

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STARTING FIVE

CIA president David Patraeus resigns after an affair.

JEFF WITHEY Junior forward After playing behind Marcus Morris for a year, Withey started to come into his own in his junior year and had plenty of playing time to do so. Withey set a Big 12 record 140 blocked shots on the year.

New York Giants defeat New England Patriots 21-17 in the Superbowl Kentucky Wildcats defeated Kansas Jayhawks 67-59 in the NCAA tournament

THOMAS ROBINSON Junior forward A standout junior year led to Robinson’s decision to enter the NBA Draft in 2012. He was named Big 12 Player of the Year at the end of the season.

POP CULTURE

TRAVIS RELEFORD Junior guard The Kansas City, Missouri, native averaged 8.5 points for the Jayhawks in his junior season. He is 10th alltime in games played for the Jayhawks with 138.

ELIJAH JOHNSON Junior guard After playing sparingly in his first two seasons as a Jayhawk, Johnson finally earned starting minutes in his senior year. He averaged 10.2 points per game on the season.

TYSHAWN TAYLOR Senior guard Taylor nearly doubled his scoring output in his senior season with 16.6 points per game.

He set college career highs in almost every category his senior season.

AT A GLANCE After two upset exits in the NCAA tournament in two previous years, Kansas made it all the way to the national championship game and lost to a powerful Kentucky team. The Jayhawks continued to build a squad that became an experienced group in the subsequent seasons.

BY THE NUMBERS 31-- Jeff Withey blocked 31 shots in the 2012 NCAA tournament.

This broke Joakim Noah’s record 29 blocked shots in a tournament.

8-- The Jayhawks lost by eight points to Kentucky in the national title game, 67-59.

6-- Thomas Robinson was named a First Team All-American by six different organizations in this season.

They were the United States Basketball Writers Association, Sporting News, ESPN.com, Associated Press, John R. Wooden Award and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

NEWS: 2012 Olympics take place in London.

Michael Phelps wins his 19th gold medal, becomes winningest Olympic athlete of all time.

26,000 Chicago teachers go on strike to protest changes to the Chicago school system.

2 012

File photo/KANSAN

FEB. 25, 2012

KANSAS 87 MISSOURI 86 (OT)

And so the Border War ends MAX ROTHMAN

originally published in 2012

It

may become, quite possibly, one of the most epochal plays in Kansas basketball history. The kind of play that shows up with Mario Chalmers and Wilt Chamberlain on the pregame videos. The kind of play that, years from now, helps people remember this rivalry when it lived.

And he did it, so he says, with his eyes closed.

The game, the last of its kind, the final Border Showdown with conference-title implications, was tied at 75 when junior forward Thomas Robinson blocked the shot.

Robinson abandoned senior guard Kim English in the right corner after sophomore guard Phil “Flip” Pressey ignored a screen and dashed for the hoop. With two seconds to play in regulation time, Robinson hung in the air and swatted Pressey’s layup attempt with a hammering right hand, denying the Tigers a victory, sending the game into overtime and riling the Fieldhouse crowd to a volume that was deafening.

“Thomas isn’t a shot blocker,” coach Bill Self said. “That was a big-time play from a big-time player.”

The No. 4 Jayhawks (24-5, 142) trailed by 19 points with 17 minutes left, but erased the deficit in an arduous second half and won 87-86 in overtime, clinching at least a share of an eighth consecutive Big 12 title.

“Revenge, payback,” Robinson said. “It definitely feels good. It felt like someone just jumped us and ran away and we finally caught up to them.”

For a 15 minute span, Missouri hit 17 of 23 shots while Kansas’ offense sputtered. Robinson and junior center Jeff Withey, who turned his ankle early in the game, both picked up two fouls in the first half. The silent fear of the Fieldhouse, from the Kansas bench to the student section, was tangible.

“Missouri players played with house money,” Self said. “We came out there trying to protect as opposed to go take.”

With Robinson and Withey on the bench, Self played junior forward Kevin Young for 28 minutes and senior guard Conner Teahan for 37.

“Who would have ever thought that that would be what we needed to do to win?” Self said.

Young, who finished with eight rebounds, five points and four blocks, energized a stagnant Fieldhouse with dunks and hustle plays. However, it was senior guard Tyshawn Taylor who once again took nothing and turned it into points.

With his team down 19, Taylor hit a three-pointer, but was quickly answered with a three from senior guard Marcus Denmon. Taylor then found junior guard Elijah Johnson for two more threes in a 65-second span. Teahan hit two of his four threes after that to help carve into the Missouri lead.

Down 75-72, Johnson skipped a bounce pass to Robinson, who finished a layup with a Dixon foul, knocking him to a sideways landing on the blue paint. Robinson hit the free throw, then sent the game to overtime with his block.

Taylor hit a quick three for the first points of the overtime period and drained two free throws with eight seconds left to win the game.

All this comes after Taylor missed two free throws in the final minute of the 74-71 loss at Mizzou Arena on Feb. 4.

“I feel good,” Taylor said after the victory. “Words can’t even de-

scribe how I feel.”

After Taylor’s free throws, the Tigers had one more chance, but Johnson blanketed Dixon, who zipped a pass to Denmon as the clock expired. Denmon’s shot bounced around the rim and fell in, but it was just too late.

“We had the game in our hands,” English said. “We gave them a gift.”

As the buzzer sounded, Self walked on the court, the furor of the crowd swirling around him as he pumped his hands in the air.

“I’m not the most emotional guy,” Self said. “But that was as good as it gets.”

It was over. The final edition of the Border Showdown with everything on the line.

The comeback tied for the largest in Allen Fieldhouse history and gave fans of both sides a spectacle to witness before Missouri departs for the Southeastern Conference.

If it has to end, if these seemingly perfect foes must never again face off in an important game, at least it ended like this.

“We’re never going to be a part of something,” Robinson said, “as big as this game was tonight.”

Three big superhero movies were released in this year: The Amazing Spiderman, The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers.

However, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II was the top grossing movie of the year at $1.3 billion.

Taylor Swift released “Red,” which featured songs like “We Are Never Getting Back Together” and “I Knew You Were Trouble.” The album earned Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Country Album.

NOTABLE DEATHS Whitney Houston Joe Paterno Dick Clark

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KANSAN.COM

BY THE NUMBERS 53 - Jeff Withey left Kansas as the all-time leader in blocked shots, 53 more than the next highest shot blocker, Greg Ostertag.

BEN MCLEMORE Freshman guard After redshirting his first year, McLemore emerged as the teams offensive leader and was named First Team All Big 12 and Second team All American.

McLemore lead the team with 15.9 points per game and a .420 three point shooting percentage.

247 - Kansas blocked 247 shots this season, the most in school history.

KEVIN YOUNG Senior forward Young quietly finished second on the team in rebounding and steals his final year as a Jayhawk. The Loyola Marymount transfer had his best game against Temple with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

.737 - Kansas’ team .737 free throw percentage is the highest team total in school history.

2 01 3

TRAVIS RELEFORD Senior forward Overshadowed by McLemore and Withey, Releford was a crucial part of this team both offensively and defensively. Releford made both Big 12 Second Team and Big 12 Defensive Team with 11.9 points, 1.3 steals and shot a team leading .659 on his two-pointers.

ELIJAH JOHNSON Senior guard Johnson took a small step back from his junior year as his points per game decreased and his turnovers took a big jump to 3.1 per game. Despite that, Johnson still was an All Big 12 Honorable Mention.

JEFF WITHEY Senior forward Withey earned a plethora of awards his senior including co-National Defensive Player of the Year, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and Second Team All-American.

Withey averaged 13.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game.

AT A GLANCE Ranked No.7 coming into the year, Kansas started the year 19-1 and saw their ranking rise to No. 2. In the postseason, Kansas won their first two games by double digits, including a win against North Carolina, before being knocked out by Michigan in overtime 87-85.

File Photo/KANSAN

JAN. 9, 2013

KANSAS 97 IOWA STATE 89

McLemore pushes KU to victory BLAKE SCHUSTER

originally published in 2013

I

t’s a rare occurrence when Allen Fieldhouse goes silent, but for a moment against Iowa State it did.

When Ben McLemore smoothly lifted off James Naismith Court to launch his game-tying three with 1.3 seconds remaining in Kansas’ Big 12 opener no one in Allen Fieldhouse could quite put a voice to what was unfolding.

Who would have fathomed Iowa State marching into Allen Fieldhouse and holding a lead until the bitter last seconds?

Or that the Cyclones would knock down an unimaginable 14 three-pointers?

Or that Kansas could go more than eight minutes without a field goal?

So when McLemore launched the Jayhawks’ last effort to hang onto a 30-game winning streak at home, every patron grabbed a last breath of the victorious air and held it in case there wouldn’t be another, silenced by

how it ever came to this point.

“We got lucky,” Kansas coach Bill Self said of the Jayhawks’ 97-89 overtime victory.

But McLemore was ready for the shot. After quietly putting up 13 points in the first half, the freshman started making explosive plays with Kansas behind late in the second.

It started with a four minute stretch where McLemore scored 10 points - four of which came on one possession as he was fouled while sinking a three.

The shots just kept falling for McLemore, one after another and from no spot in particular. It wasn’t that he couldn’t miss, it was that he didn’t.

“I haven’t seen too many perimeter players ever take 12 shots and get 33 points,” Self said of McLemore. “This was Ben’s night.”

And on Ben’s night, with Kansas trailing 7976 and eight seconds remaining, the last attempt

wasn’t going to anyone else.

Naadir Tharpe kicked off the infamous Kansas “chop” play - the same play that set up Mario Chalmers for his National Championship tying shot in 2008 and the same play that failed two months ago against Michigan State.

Tharpe dribbled up the right side of the court, handed the ball off to Elijah Johnson as he cut to his left and let Johnson find the next option.

“It reminded me of the Michigan State game with me not taking that shot,” Johnson said. “I was thinking maybe I’ve got to check myself this time and make sure it’s not my shot.”

It wasn’t, and instead Johnson found McLemore, whose defender had sagged off. Without hesitating, the freshman let it fly.

Then silence.

“This is about to hit off the glass,” Naadir Tharpe recalled thinking.

“I called bank,” McLemore said after.

“He didn’t call glass,” Self said.

Intended or not, the shot kissed the backboard and fell straight in, just like McLemore’s previous four attempts behind the arc on the night.

Yet this wasn’t like his other shots. This one set off a blast of emotions that Kevin Young could only compare to last year’s 19-point comeback against Missouri as Kansas fans began breathing again.

“It was a great screen from Elijah,” McLemore said. “I just shot it and it felt good coming off my hand.”

The Jayhawk faithful kept their rowdy demeanor until there was no doubt Kansas had locked up another victory.

And after a moment of silence everyone had something to say, including one Kansas fan who barked a question at the Cyclones as they walked off the floor.

“Was it loud enough for you?”

NEWS: Pope Benedict XVI retires as the first pope to resign since 1415.

Edward Snowden is granted asylum in Russia.

The Baltimore Ravens defeat the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31, in Super Bowl 47.

The Louisville Cardinals defeat the Michigan Wolverines, 8276, in the NCAA Basketball Championship.

POP CULTURE “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore finishes as the top song of 2013.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is the top grossing movie of the year.

NOTABLE DEATHS Nelson Mandela James Gandolfini Paul Walker

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19 — Wiggins set the record for the most in-game rebounds by a Kansas player. Wiggins grabbed 19 boards against No. 8 ranked Iowa State.

NAADIR THARPE junior guard Tharpe’s ability to generate assists was his main strength, but Tharpe never managed to solidify his role on the team. Tharpe led the team with 5 assists per game, but only scored 8.5 points per game as a starter.

72 — Joel Embiid set the freshman blocked shots record with 72 blocks.

NEWS Bashar al-Assad is reelected as president of Syria in June 2014.

WAYNE SELDEN JR. freshman guard One of three-star freshmen to make his debut this season, Selden was the third or fourth scoring option his freshman year. He finished the year with 9.7 points per game, including a 24-point game against Oklahoma.

ANDREW WIGGINS freshman forward He might not have lived up to the unreal expectations surrounding his recruitment, but Wiggins did leave Kansas as the highest-scoring freshman in school history.

Before going first overall in the 2014 NBA draft, Wiggins averaged 17.1 points per game and also lead the team in steals per game on his way to first-team Big 12.

PERRY ELLIS sophomore forward Ellis largely slipped under the radar this season because of Wiggins and Embiid, but still managed to finish second on the team in scoring with a 13.5 point-per-game average. Ellis had a huge breakout game against TCU with 32 points and eight rebounds.

JOEL EMBIID freshman forward Embiid didn’t start to begin the season, but once he did, Kansas became an elite defensive team.

Embiid led the team with 2.6 blocks and 8.1 rebounds per game before getting injured towards the end of the season.

SEASON AT A GLANCE Kansas entered the year ranked No. 5, but an early win against Duke saw the team jump to No.2. The lack of experience in the starting lineup led to a 23-8 regular season and saw Kansas exit the NCAA Tournament in the third round with a 60-57 loss to 10th-seeded Stanford.

BY THE NUMBERS 597 — Andrew Wiggins’ 597 points in a season isn’t just the record for any Kansas freshman, it’s the 22nd highest season total in Kansas history.

The NFL investigates Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice for domestic violence after initial two-game suspension.

2 01 4 Feb. 24, 2014

POP CULTURE “12 Years a Slave” wins the Academy Award for Best Picture. “Happy” by Pharrell finishes the year atop the Billboard top songs.

NOTABLE DEATHSs Maya Angelou File Photo/KANSAN

Philip Seymour Hoffman

KANSAS 83 OKLAHOMA 75

Schuster: Fans celebrate 10 straight BLAKE SCHUSTER

originally published in 2014

S

itting high enough in the corner of Allen Fieldhouse to reach the rafters, John and Suzanne Cole couldn’t help but smile as the Jayhawks took the floor.

Sure, the couple had been here before — John went to just about every game as a student before graduating in 1966 — but rare are the games when you wish the clock would just run a little faster.

Monday was one of those games, and despite the fact it would likely be the only time the Coles visited Allen Fieldhouse all year, even they waited patiently for the game’s end.

That’s when the real festivities began, when Kansas was crowned Big 12 champion for a 10th straight season after defeating Oklahoma 8375 and wrapped up a decade that started with disappointment and ended in disbelief.

“When Roy [Williams] left I thought it was the end of the world, but Bill certainly changed our minds,” Cole said.

“It just shows you what kind of a coach he is. This was his toughest test.”

Self, of course, passed with an “A” and nine pluses.

And even though he wouldn’t let

his team celebrate, he couldn’t stop the student body.

Echoes of “10 Straight!” filled the Fieldhouse while the band belted “Hey Jude” and DJ Khaled.

It’s the type of environment that starts with someone like Ellen Waters, a freshman from Cimarron, who anxiously ripped up her newspaper in the student section while the Jayhawks went through their pregame routine.

Waters was in junior high school when her parents took her on a five-hour journey to Allen Fieldhouse for the first time. Before the game even started, Waters was hooked.

“I just remember when that first video

came on it made my heart race and I had goose bumps,” Waters said. “That was it.”

“

Sometimes it’s kind of expected.”

She never bothered touring or applying to other schools. Now she waited as the clock wound down again and her Jayhawks would stand on top of the league again - although it’s hard for her to remember if that was never the case.

“Sometimes

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it’s kind of expected,” Waters said.

It’s expected for someone like 9-year-old Pearse Long - named after Paul Pierce, of the phonetically same last name - who was accompanied by his father Eric. They counted down the minutes with everyone else.

“To be here to see the game they clinch it in would be pretty neat,” Eric Long said. “For my son it’s just another day in his life. That’s all he knows.”

Winning the Big 12 is only a birthright if you’re under the age of 11.

The truth is, it’s a victory that will mean a million different things to a million different people, and yet it’s all the same.

It’s Ellen Waters watching games on TV with her parents in southwest Kansas. It’s the Coles sitting high above Naismith court and screaming like it’s 1966. It’s way past bedtime for Pearse Long.

And for a few in attendance on Monday night it’s the only game they’ll see in Allen Fieldhouse. For most it’s the only game they’ll need.

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B12

BY THE NUMBERS

STARTING FIVE

610-- Kansas shot 610 free throws, putting them at sixth best in the country.

FRANK MASON III Sophomore Guard Mason enjoyed a breakout season in his first year starting at point guard. Mason averaged 12.6 points per game and shot 43.4 percent from the field.

WAYNE SELDEN JR. Sophomore Guard Selden didn’t make the jump he was expected to make as a sophomore and his shooting percentage fell below 40 percent KELLY OUBRE JR. Freshman Forward Before going as the No. 15 pick in the NBA Draft, Oubre finished second on the team in steals with 1.1 per game and third on the team in rebounds with 5.

PERRY ELLIS Junior Forward The Wichita native had his best rebounding season with 6.9 per game en route to first-team All-Big 12 honors.

JAMARI TRAYLOR Junior Forward Traylor got the starting nod after the team ran into issues with the NCAA and freshman Cliff Alexander. Traylor finished second in blocks with 1.1 per game.

SEASON AT A GLANCE Kansas entered the season ranked No. 5, in part thanks to the arrival of McDonald’s All-American freshmen Kelly Oubre Jr. and Cliff Alexander. However, NCAA issues forced Alexander to sit out the rest of the season. Kansas made the NCAA tournament despite losing to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament, but lost in the third round to Wichita State.

POP CULTURE “Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens” opens as the top grossing movie. “Uptown Funk” finishes atop the Billboard top songs of the year.

NOTABLE DEATHS Stuart Scott Leonard Nimoy Wes Craven

SPORTS The New England Patriots defeat the Seattle Seahawks, 28-25, in Super Bowl 49.

In the NCAA Basketball Championship, the Duke Blue Devils defeat the Wisconsin Badgers, 68-63.

51-- Kansas’ defense held Texas Tech to just 51 points in their second meeting. The Raiders were held to a field-goal percentage of just .333. .196-- Against Kentucky, Kansas shot .196 in their 72-40 loss early in the season.

2 015 Mar. 3, 2015

NEWS

FIFA President Sepp Blatter resigns amid corruption scandal in June.

File photo/KANSAN

KANSAS 76 WEST VIRGINIA 69

U.S. resumes diplomatic relations with Cuba, commemorated by President Barack Obama’s visit to the country.

Mason seals win over West Virginia SCOTT CHASEN

originally published in 2015

D

own 57-49 with less than two-minutes to go, the Jayhawks appeared to be on their way to losing their final home game of the season, while missing out on a chance to clinch the Big 12 title outright at home.

Brannen Greene stepped up to the line and knocked down a couple of free throws, and then Jamari Traylor followed with a layup to cut the West Virginia lead to four.

However, the Jayhawks still needed to make up the rest of the margin, and time was running out.

Enter Frank Mason III. The sophomore from Petersburg, Virginia rattled off back-to-back baskets on consecutive possessions, and when the second half had finally come to a close, the Jayhawks had managed to tie the game at 59. At that point, Mason had scored 11 points, but wasn’t even close to being finished.

“I felt like nobody [could] stay in front of me,” Mason said. “Every time I had the ball, I could make something positive happen.”

Mason would rattle off eight more points, accounting for just under 50-percent of the team’s scoring in the extra period, despite having played a game-high 42 minutes. The Jayhawks would go on to win 76-69, despite trailing at one point by 18 points.

After the game, Kansas coach Bill Self couldn’t help but chuckle when asked about his point guard’s performance down the stretch, despite playing so many minutes.

“He’s in great shape,” Self said with a smile.

Mason finished the game with 19 points and seven rebounds, but to him, it wasn’t at all about the stats. Only one thing was on his mind: Winning.

“We couldn’t get anything to fall; guys were missing threes,” Mason said. “Not once did I think [we would lose]. We kept believing in each other.”

Mason also said that he drew inspiration from the 2008 National Championship team that won the title despite being down nine points with less than two minutes left. He said the “little things like that” were what let the team know that

they could make a run, and 18-game double round rob- ing to be talking Big 12 now.” he certainly played like it in. Kansas will play at Texas If Monday night’s game down the stretch.

Tech, while Oklahoma will was any indication, the reWith the win, the Jay- host Kansas State on Satur- match on February 13 in hawks secured the Big 12 day.

Norman will be must watch title outright, but the game “January 4th is too early television. held a little extra meaning in to be having games like this,” Then potentially again in Mason’s mind, for a couple Self said. “It was a great way the Big 12 tournament. of reasons. With it being the to showcase a great league And potentially deep in final home game of the year, and certainly everyone is go- the NCAA tournament. the Jayhawks had one last chance to get a win for senior Christian Garrett, but Mason added that the win was for even more than just the senior.

“We wanted to do it for [Christian], but also for the program [and] for the fans,” Mason said.

“We made it happen.”

— Edited by Vicky Diaz-CamachoThe 6-foot-4 Wichita native, came in averaging 24.7 points per game, but after a 46-point outburst, he is well on his way to becoming just the third player in the history of the Big 12 to average more than 25 points Think your major is adequately preparing you for the job market? a game. The other two were Kevin Durant of Texas and Think again.

Michael Beasley of The 21st century work force is one that demands Kansas State. critical skills in verbal and written communication and research, Ellis, the other the ability to examine varied perspectives and work with diverse others, Wichita native, also had a strong game. and multicultural and multinational awareness and understanding.

The Kansas forward totaled 27 points on No matter your major, your resume must reflect 11-of-28 shooting in this basic knowledge and fundamental set of skills.

53 minutes. It was the 17th 20-point game of his career and fourth this season.

Both Ellis and Mason logged 53 minutes. The latter wasn’t near as effective on the offensive end. However, he spent the majority of the second half chasing Hield around. He guarded the reigning conference player of the year in all three overtimes with four fouls.

Now both teams must turn their attention ahead after the physical draining game. This was just the second conference game of an

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STARTING FIVE

3 – No. 1 ranked Kansas and No. 2 ranked Oklahoma went to triple overtime in their first meeting of the season. Kansas would win 109-106.

FRANK MASON III junior guard Mason set career highs in points and rebounds per game. He was also named to the Big 12 Defensive Team while also picking up Second Team Big 12 honors.

12 – Kansas won its 12th straight Big 12 title, one shy of the record for consecutive conference titles.

DEVONTE’ GRAHAM sophomore guard In his first season as a starter, Graham lead the team in steals and finished with 11.3 points per game.

Graham was also named to the the Big 12 Defensive Team and won the Big 12 Tournament MVP.

NEWS On August 5, the Summer Olympics took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

World Health Organization officials announce outbreak of Zika virus.

WAYNE SELDEN JR. junior forward Selden’s breakout year finally arrived and was rewarded with Second Team Big 12 honors.

Selden finished second on the team with 13.8 points per game and finished third in steals.

PERRY ELLIS senior forward In his final year in Lawrence, Ellis received First Team Big 12 honors while leading the team in points and finishing second in rebounding.

LANDEN LUCAS junior forward After some rotation at the center position, Lucas finally stuck and finished with career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.

SEASON AT A GLANCE Kansas began the year at No. 4 in the AP poll after winning the World University Games in South Korea.

After losing a close game to No. 13 ranked Michigan State in the Champions Classic, the Jayhawks would go on to win their next 13 straight games and the Big 12 tournament to finish the regular season with a 30-4 record.

Kansas would lose to eventual champions Villanova in the Elite Eight 64-59.

NOTABLE DEATHS:

David Bowie, Prince, Gene Wilder

BY THE NUMBERS 8 – Perry Ellis finished his career as the eighth highest scoring Jayhawk of all time.

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File photo/KANSAN

Jan. 5, 2016

When Kansas officially won the Big 12, Rihanna’s “Work” was at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 songs. To date, “Finding Dory’ is the top grossing movie of 2016.

The Denver Broncos defeat the Carolina Panthers, 24-10, in Super Bowl 50.

The Villanova Wildcats beat the North Carolina Tar Heels, 77-74, in the NCAA Basketball Championship.

KANSAS 109 OKLAHOMA 106

KU outlasts Sooners in triple OT SHANE JACKSON

originally published in 2016

K

ansas had the ball with a chance to win it at the end of the regulation. Then again in overtime. Then again in double overtime.

Finally in triple overtime, the Jayhawks were on the defensive end in the waning seconds of the game, this time leading by one.

Oklahoma’s star senior guard Buddy Hield was inbounding the ball with 11 seconds to go. Junior guard Frank Mason elected to faceguard him, as opposed to filling a passing lane. Mason was draped all over Hield and began leaping up and down. As Hield fired off the pass, Mason ripped the ball away, taking it the opposite way.

“Right before the play the ref told me to not get close to the line,” Mason said. “But after he handed the ball in, there is nothing he can do, so I took a step closer and just went all out denying.”

Mason would be fouled and sank both of his free throws, to give No. 1 Kansas the 109-106 win over No. 2 Oklahoma.

“It was an epic game,” Self said “The only game I have been a part of in this building that rivals it is that Missouri game.”

He added: “We beat a team that could win the National Championship tonight.”

But there was a time that the prospect of a finished game, let alone a Jayhawks victory seemed bleak.

At the end of the regulation, Kansas had the ball with 20 seconds and the score knotted up at 77. Mason wound down the game clock before attacking the lane, tossing up an off balanced floater.

Mason’s shot smacked hard off the back rim, and junior forward Landen Lucas was called for an over the back foul, attempting to go for the rebound. As a result, sophomore forward Khadeem Lattin went to the line with two seconds left.

“I got this,” He yelled, with a chance to snap Kansas’ 31-game win streak in Allen Fieldhouse on the line.

He’d miss the free throw, which was the front end of a one-and-one. The game headed into overtime.

“I’m just disappointed that we couldn’t quite feel that satisfaction,” Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger said.

“You don’t win in here very often so I would’ve liked that for them.”

With seven seconds left in the first overtime, senior forward Perry Ellis rushed a midrange jumper that barely grazed the bottom of the backboard. Fortunately for Kansas, it tipped off an Oklahoma player and Kansas maintained possession with two seconds remaining.

From there, Kansas ran a play from underneath that gave junior guard Wayne Selden Jr. an open look from the right wing, but his shot clanked off the front rim.

“Wayne had an uncontested wide open look to win it,” Self said. “Considering both teams were exhausted

and neither team ran one play to try and score, all they did was put players in position to make plays. I thought it was a pretty good game.”

In the second overtime, two of the top three-point shooting teams in the nation traded some shots from distance. But as the clock began ticking down, once again Kansas had the ball in the waning moments.

This time with the score tied at 94, Mason drove to the cup and threw up an off balanced layup that was unsuccessful, allowing for a third overtime. It was the first time in the Self-era that Kansas was a part of a triple overtime game.

Monday’s triple overtime thriller more than lived up to the hype of highly touted No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting. It was the first such matchup in Allen Fieldhouse since 1990.

Kansas had lost all four previous meetings of the top two teams in college basketball.

Hield certainly did his part in attempt to hand the Jayhawks a fifth loss. The senior guard scored 46 points, tied for the highest scoring output by a visiting player in Allen Fieldhouse. Hield was 13-of-23 from the floor, including 8-of-15 from long range.

“I just hate losing. No matter how good I do, I believe I could have done better,” Hield said. “I hate the fact that we came up with a loss, and this is my last time playing in this building. It sucks going 0-4 here.”

The 6-foot-4 Wichita native, came in averaging 24.7 points per game, but after a

46-point outburst, he is well on his way to becoming just the third player in the history of the Big 12 to average more than 25 points a game. The other two were Kevin Durant of Texas and Michael Beasley of Kansas State.

Ellis, the other Wichita native, also had a strong game. The Kansas forward totaled 27 points on 11-of-28 shooting in 53 minutes. It was the 17th 20-point game of his career and fourth this season.

Both Ellis and Mason logged 53 minutes. The latter wasn’t near as effective on the offensive end. However, he spent the majority of the second half chasing Hield around. He guarded the reigning conference player of the year in all three overtimes with four fouls.

Now both teams must turn their attention ahead after the physically draining game. This was just the second conference game of an 18-game double round robin. Kansas will play at Texas Tech, while Oklahoma will host Kansas State on Saturday.

“January 4th is too early to be having games like this,” Self said. “It was a great way to showcase a great league and certainly everyone is going to be talking Big 12 now.”

If Monday night’s game was any indication, the rematch on February 13 in Norman will be must watch television.

Then potentially again in the Big 12 tournament.

And potentially deep in the NCAA tournament.

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Baxter Schanze/KANSAN Junior Jessica Washington dribbles down the lane during Late Night in the Phog.

KANSAN.COM

Ashley Hocking/KANSAN Redshirt sophomore guard McKenzie Calvert handles the ball against Fort Hays State. Kansas won 98-71.

Calvert, Washington aim to put KU back on track JARED ANDERSON @JAnderson_383

W

hile Jessica Washington was listening to Young Thug before games on Kansas’ European tour this past summer, McKenzie Calvert was coloring.

“I actually have to color sometimes before games, because I am too amped up,” Calvert said. “I can’t really listen to fast music or I’ll go out there and get four fouls right away.”

Regardless of how these two prepare for their games, Calvert and Washington know how to excel on the hardwood and hope to elevate the Kansas women's basketball team to success this year.

Kansas has drastically under-performed during the past two seasons. Due to its poor play, Kansas is projected to finish last in the Big 12 preseason rankings for the second straight year. The team went 0-18 in the Big 12 during the 201516 season and, as a result, finished with a 6-25 record.

During his first two

years as head coach, Brandon Schneider has been on a mission to bring in prized recruits to Kansas and improve the team's performance.

In his second season as head coach, he has done just that by bringing in Washington from North Carolina and Calvert from Southern California.

In her senior year of high school, Calvert was the No. 15 overall recruit in the ESPN HoopGurlz rankings.

Washington was the No. 14 overall recruit in 2013 and is the second McDonald’s All-American women’s basketball player to ever attend Kansas.

Now that the two guards have both sat out a season due to NCAA rules, they are tasked with producing for Kansas in 2016-17.

This summer, on the team's European tour, when Calvert and Washington got their first opportunity to play, the Kansas women’s basketball team went 4-0 while averaging 93 points per game. Although the competition may not have been the strongest, coach

Brandon Schneider said it was important to give them an early chance to work with the team. “[Calvert and Washington] spent the entire season last year kind of working into things, but I thought they had really good summers,” Schneider said. “I feel like they have a lot of experience already, even though it hasn’t been on the court here in Allen Fieldhouse.”

With the additions of these two players, Schneider said the style of play the Kansas team brings to the floor will change from last season.

“The pace that we play with will be quite a bit different, you know when you talk about [Washington] she’s going to play some point guard and I think that we can move her off the ball a little bit too,” Schneider said. “[McKenzie Calvert] can really score in a lot of different ways and I’m hopeful that McKenzie, maybe along with Aisia Robertson, will be two of our better on-ball defenders.”

With both players watching the games from the bench last season, Calvert and Washington have formed a bond both on and off the court.

“

Everybody has a role and everybody has to play their role in order for us to be successful.”

McKenzie Calvert Redshirt sophomore guard-

“We are attached at the hip, we work out together, we go to the gym together, we make sure we’re on each other with our academics.

We’re in a lot of the same classes, so we are close, but we always make sure are teammates are included in what we do,” Calvert said.

The hype surrounding Calvert and Washington has been sizable. Even with these high expectations, Calvert insists that it isn’t about two players; it’s about a team.

“At times it’s overwhelming, because people are like

'Oh [McKenzie Calvert] and [Jessica Washington]', but we make sure to always tell everybody that it’s not the ‘Kenzie and Jess’ show,” Calvert said. “Yes we’re here, yes we were ranked in high school, yes we’re highly noted, but we’re not going to win a single game without 13 other people on the team, everybody has a role and everybody has to play their role in order for us to be successful.”

Calvert and Washington both hope to start winning games at Kansas. One of the reasons why they believe it will happen is because of the coaching staff’s recruiting ability.

“When a lot of recruits come here, they know Coach Brandon is capable of bringing in top talent and that this isn’t a place you should shy away from,” Calvert said.

Schneider’s sincerity, along with the addition of Calvert, is what ultimately led Washington to transfer to Kansas.

“I felt that the coaching staff was very genuine when they were recruiting me and

I also knew that when I took my visit here, I felt very comfortable with the girls on the team,” Washington said. “[McKenzie Calvert] was also a big part of me coming here too,” she added.

Kansas is hopeful to land some more top recruits in November, but for now, Calvert and Washington are focused on playing their first games in Allen Fieldhouse.

“I just want to come out and perform the way I know how to perform,” Washington said. “The progress we’ve made is crazy.”

Calvert, on the other hand, has been counting down the days.

“I made my own countdown in the locker room,” Calvert said. “It’s amazing to see how hungry our whole team is ... It’s all about basketball here at Kansas.”

Calvert and Washington will make their regular season debuts on Sunday, Nov. 13 against Missouri State.

Schneider creates family atmosphere for his team

File Photo/KANSAN Brandon Schneider, women’s basketball coach.

MATT HOFFMANN @MattHoffmannUDK

It must have been interesting to hear Kansas women's basketball coach Brandon Schneider tell his contractors that he wanted his new house to be able to regularly accomodate more than 20 people.

Now his house in Lawrence is finished and team members routinely drop by unannounced to work on homework, do their laundry, swim in the pool and

get home cooking from Schneider's wife, Ali. “I finally have a house,” the coach said. “I was living in an apartment all last year so the team wasn’t coming over.”

Schneider's new home allows him to host his team more often than he has in the past.

“They’re over all the time, whether a recruit is in town or they just want to swim,” he said.

Swimming is available for the players even when

Schneider isn’t home.

Transfer McKenzie Calvert described a time players came to visit one hot summer day.

“I was like, 'Guys, it’s so hot, we have to go swimming,'” Calvert said. “I called him and we got his dog out and went in the backyard and swam.”

The kitchen is an integral part of the floor plan, too. “[Mrs. Schneider's] sweet potatoes are my favorite,” said Calvert, a red-

shirt sophomore guard. “I don’t have to put brown sugar on them, usually I do but hers are just great.”

The family atmosphere is a tradition, Schneider says, one that dates back to the teams his dad coached.

“It’s what I grew up with, being a coach’s kid,” he said. “Players were over all the time. There’d be times when I’d come home and I didn’t even know the players were going to be there."

Schneider hopes that having a close-knit team

will allow them to be more successful this season.

“We’re always going to have that family atmosphere and that’s something that I think was lacking last year,” Schneider said.

There’s no saying for sure if Schneider's house will impact recruiting but it certainly can’t hurt. Kansas hosted the No. 6 and No. 12 overall recruits in the nation for Late Night in the Phog. Another top 15 recruit in NaLyssa Smith recently narrowed her list

down to nine teams, including Kansas.

“It’s a really nice house so that’s great for recruiting,” senior forward Jada Brown said.

Schneider lives with his wife, Ali, two sons Cash and Cole and the family dog, but he has made it clear his team is also welcome.

— Edited by Chandler Boese

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Mason, Graham prepare for landmark season

Missy Minear/KANSAN Then-sophomore guard Devonte’ Graham drives around a Villanova defender in the second half on March 26.

Villanova beat Kansas 64-59.

BRIAN MINI

@brianminimum

W

ith the rise of small ball NBA lineups, it’s no surprise that college basketball often moves away from traditional lineup structure.

What's surprising is that it’s happening at Kansas with such great success.

To coach Bill Self’s credit, he hasn’t shied away from experimenting with lineups in the past. In 2014, Self debated playing former players Kelly Oubre and Wayne Selden Jr. as power forwards.

However, that makes more sense given Kansas’

history of developing forwards like Perry Ellis, Jeff Withey and Thomas Robinson, for example. History hasn’t stopped Self from running a successful offense that features two point guards playing at once.

“I think the game is getting smaller,” Self said at Kansas media day. “If you've got a three man playing the four spot, that puts a big guy guarding him, and if he can shoot, it's a hard matchup. We've always been a conventional three-out, two-in team, but I think this year we're going to get away from that a little bit.”

Senior point guard Frank Mason III and junior point guard Devonte’ Graham might be better suited to be simply called “guards” in Self’s essentially positionless offense. The traditional roles of a point and shooting guard are thrown out when these two are on the court together, which has resulted in success so far. Kansas was ranked No. 1 in the nation for most of last season with Mason and Graham at the helm.

“I like it. I absolutely love playing with Devonte’,” Mason said at media day. “I think it’s great for our team when we have two good playmakers in the game.

Missy Minear/KANSAN Then-junior guard Frank Mason III drives to the basket against Villanova on March 26. Kansas lost to Villanova 64-59.

Two good ball handlers in the game at all times.”

“

I think it’s great for our team when we have two good playmakers in the game. ” Frank Mason III Senior guard

The two guards played almost identical minutes last season, and neither were affected negatively from the other being on the floor. In fact, the two set ca-

reer highs in points, assists and rebounding while running this offense.

“We get other guys shots," Mason said. "That’s a major key to the game, getting into the lane and creating easy shots for our teammates. Coach really likes that so I think it’s good for our team."

On the heels of an Elite Eight appearance, Self seems to be sticking with the two upperclassmen in the starting lineup. What’s not so concrete is who will surround them this season.

Some of the mystery is cleared up when considering highly touted freshman Josh Jackson’s ability to

play as a guard.

“I see us playing small quite a bit,” Self said. “It’s really not small, Josh is 6'8", and we're not going to play him as a forward.

We're still going to play him as a guard, but I think we'd be a hard team to guard if you can spread the floor with those four guards out there.”

At Big 12 media day, TCU head coach Jamie Dixon said, “point guards win college basketball games.”

If that’s the case, Kansas’ point guard duo should win a lot of games.

— Edited by Ilana Karp

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