Niiiiiiiiine Times

It seems there is angst amongst a segment of KU fans today. Some, it seems, are over-looking another Big 12 title because A) the Jayhawks went to Waco and got worked over Saturday and B) they now have to share the Big 12 title with Kansas State.

Stop.

It’s not the first time KU has been blown out in their final game of the regular season during this nine-year run. And it’s not the first time they’ve had to share the title.

Quit bitching, spoiled KU fan.

Appreciate what this team has done. A month ago, did a league title seem possible? With three losses in the books and games against K-State and Texas at home along with trips to Stillwater, Ames, and Waco, most would have been thrilled with going 4-4 over the final eight. Instead they went 7-1. The final game shouldn’t over-shadow the rest of that run.

And quit putting down K-State’s accomplishment. They made it through a tough league with just four losses. Sure, two were to KU. But don’t pull that “We beat you twice so we’re the real champs,” garbage. If that’s the case, we can’t claim two of our tied-titles during the run, meaning it never happened. K-State had a great year. If it was KU winning their first portion of a conference championship in 40 years, we’d be printing up t-shirts, too. Hell, I remember KU fans going nuts in 1986 when it had only been eight years since the last Big 8 title.

So stop all that.

Enjoy what this team did. When they were good, they were damn good. Sure, they stunk it up a few times and that TCU loss will live in infamy as the one that cost KU the outright title. But they’re still conference champions again and in fine position for a top three seed in the NCAA tournament.

With all that in mind, I’m going on record as being absolutely, completely, undoubtedly satisfied with this season. No matter what happens over the next few weeks, I’m not sweating it. While KU was the pre-season Big 12 favorite, there was concern about who would score, who on the bench would provide depth, who could play point guard, how many of the freshmen would contribute, etc. It was far from a sure thing before the season began.

Along the way we saw the most remarkable freshman season in the school’s history.¹ One of the greatest single-game performances ever. One of the greatest defensive players in school history. And a local kid who grew from a role player to a key component of a very good team.

I just can’t find a reason to be disappointed that we <em>only</em> tied, and, gasp, with K-State. All that matters is the Big 12 title banner in Allen Fieldhouse will add 2013 to the 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2005 directly before it.

I don’t care what happens in the NCAAs. I’m not saying I won’t be disappointed if we don’t survive the first weekend. Or if we make it to Dallas or Indianapolis or wherever and then lose to a lower seed. Or if we’re lucky enough to make it to the Elite Eight and then get blasted by IU or Duke.

I’m saying I’m not sweating it and the angst when the loss comes will be much less that it was two years ago after VCU, or the year before against Northern Iowa, etc.

I’m even removing my utter fear of playing IU here in Indianapolis. You know what, bring ‘em on. If we make it to the Elite Eight for the third-straight year, I’ll be utterly thrilled. Even if we have to take on Zeller, Oladipo, and 40,000 screaming Hoosiers fans.

It’s all gravy at this point.

So stop whining, KU fans.

And suck it, rest of the Big 12.

Rock Chalk, bitches.

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