Jayhawk faithful share sorrows after loss

Fans disappointed but remain orderly

Prayer suddenly became popular Monday night in Lawrence’s downtown bars, but divine intervention in the form of a last-second Kirk Hinrich three-pointer just wasn’t to be.

Most Kansas University basketball fans never really lost hope as they downed beers and soft drinks while watching their Jayhawks take Syracuse University’s Orangemen down to the final second before losing the NCAA title game, 81-78.

“There’s still a chance,” said Danny Rubin, a KU senior from Aurora, Colo., as he watched the second half of the game with friends at The Granada, 1020 Mass. “No-body’s giving up. They (Jayhawks) are staying within range.”

At the next table, KU freshmen Mallorie Hinemeyer, Gardner, and Kim Mingori, Leawood, said they were sure Syracuse would lose because of a special hex they had been working on them.

“We put our fingers together and then do a little dance,” Hinemeyer said, demonstrating the move.

A block away at It’s Brothers bar, fans closed their eyes, clenched fists and looked toward the ceiling as they seemingly prayed for a miracle as the last seconds of the game ticked off.

And when it was over they stared at the television screens in stunned silence. After regaining their composure, many expressed more concern for coach Roy Williams and his team than they did for themselves.

“It just seemed like it was going to be their year,” Tyler Leach, Lawrence, said. “I feel sorry for Roy — he deserved to win this one.”

Katie Knudsen, a KU junior from Long Lake, Minn., agreed.

“These seniors deserved to win,” she said. “You have to still love them.”

Jean Owens, a KU junior from Shawnee, enjoyed the season because the team wasn’t expected to get to the NCAA championship game.

“They were better than anyone expected them to be,” she said.

Outside along Massachusetts Street, fans still yelled and passing cars honked, but it was nothing like last week’s celebration after the Arizona win in Anaheim.

“We still won — like Bush did,” another fan yelled, referring to the latest controversial presidential election.

Rob Pazell was standing in line at an ATM at Ninth and Massachusetts streets, trying to console passers-by.

“I’m definitely deflated, but we had a great run,” Pazell, 25, said. “We made an improbable run. I’m looking forward to next year.”

Police late Monday said they’d made only one game-related arrest. There was a Dumpster fire reported in the 1100 block of Ohio Street. But police said crowds, though generally loud, had been relatively orderly.

Campus was pretty quiet after KU’s loss. Much of that probably had to do with the heavy presence of law enforcement along Jayhawk Boulevard.

“It’s kind of like a funeral here,” said Jeremy Whetstone, who was working in the Kansas Union. “It’s disappointing that free throws is what lost the game for us. On the upside, Jeff Graves played his heart out. That was one of the bright spots.”

Police and highway patrol were stationed every few hundred yards along the boulevard.

Dozens of groups of students made their way through campus after having watched the games at various venues throughout town.

Billy Santoro, a sophomore from Scottsdale, Ariz., and Katie Crnkovich, a junior from Dallas, were upset by the loss but took it in stride as they walked on campus.

“It was a valiant effort. They played their hearts out,” Santoro said. “Win or lose we will always support our Hawks.”