From the Sidelines: Jayhawks avoid the unheard of
Sports reporter
They did it.
Not that I didn't have any confidence. Ever since their 59-55 loss at home Jan. 14 to the hated Kansas State Wildcats, everyone knew Saturday the Kansas Jayhawks would win the rematch.
But at one point it was scary.
A 49-36 second-half Jayhawk lead turned into a 49-46 lead with just less than 10 minutes to play, giving the game an eerily similar feel to the one in Allen Fieldhouse.
Except KU didn't fold this time.
Nope, the Jayhawks ended the game on a 17-6 run, clinching a share of the Big XII Conference championship.
With the championship on the line, no doubt it was a big game. But besides that, something could have happened for the first time since bell bottoms were more popular than baggy jeans: K-State could have swept KU.
Almost sounds worse than fingernails on a chalkboard. Almost.
In fact, as a Kansas transplant and only a fan since 1999, it was unheard of to me.
The last time it happened first class stamps were 20 cents, Ronald Reagan was president, and the FCC authorized cell phone testing.
It was 1983.
The Wildcats' home arena Bramlage Coliseum was nothing but a blueprint. I was learning to walk.
K-State sweeping KU in basketball just doesn't sound right. However, it came close to happening Saturday, and for a quick second I thought it might.
Who cares about the polls? The biggest concern was the fact K-Staters would actually have something on Jayhawks fans. Sure they wouldn't be going to the Big Dance, but they could brag about sweeping KU.
Jayhawk fan: We were co-Big 12 champs.
Wildcat fan: We swept you.
Jayhawk fan: We made it to the Sweet 16.
Wildcat: We swept you.
Jayhawk fan: Blue is a way better color than purple.
Wildcat fan: Did I mention we swept you?
Even though every Jayhawk fan was confident Saturday, it would be a lie if they said the nerves didn't kick in at one point in the game.
The bottom line is the streak continues. While the 31-game overall streak was snapped, the 23 straight in Manhattan lives on. If it continues for three years it will be the longest ever of its kind.
Time to party like it's 2009.
