You’d have to look long and hard to find a more loyal Jayhawk fan than Dorothy Knox. For sure, few have been as long-lasting.

“I’ve been a Jayhawk fan my whole life,” Knox said. “My husband and I bought season tickets — I don’t know when it was, right after World War II ended — and I still have them. Wouldn’t dream of giving them up.”

Knox, who lives in Brandon Woods Retirement Community, is 87 years old. Her apartment is decorated with Jayhawk memorabilia, including a near-sacred autographed basketball from the 1988, Danny Manning-led NCAA championship team.

“I knew Danny, of course, from when he went to Lawrence High School,” said Knox, whose late husband, Carl, was a Lawrence school superintendent.

Gearing up for Monday’s big game, Knox and Lorene Davison, 74, who lives in the apartment across the hall, were dressed in matching outfits: Jayhawk earrings, white Jayhawk T-shirts, crimson and blue Mardi Gras beads, blue pants and white shoes adorned with, yes, more Jayhawks.

After each victory, Davison rings a bell for all the neighbors to hear and yells “Go Jayhawks!”

So far, no one’s complained, which isn’t surprising because door after door at Brandon Woods is decorated with Jayhawk-friendly pictures and newspaper clippings.

“We love the Jayhawks,” Davison said. “They’re a great inspiration — not only to young people but to us older people as well. They’re such a morale-booster.”

Like most folks at Brandon Woods, Davison and Knox watch the game on television with the sound off, the radio on.

“Agh, those TV announcers are so prejudiced. We’d much rather listen to Max,” Knox said, referring to Max Falkenstien, longtime KU broadcaster.

¢ See photo galleries from Lawrence and New Orleans, video highlights and full stats, post-game audio, animated plays at KUsports.com

Though she thrives on Jayhawk victories, Knox said her appreciation of coach Roy Williams’ program went beyond what happened on the court.

“They are all so modest and such gentlemen,” Knox said.

Even the oft-scowling Jeff Graves?

“Oh, yes, and I just love his hairdo,” Knox said, laughing.

There is one fly in the ointment, however. Knox and Davison said they were sick and tired of the rumors that Williams is headed for North Carolina.

“He’s in heaven now,” Knox said. “Once you get to heaven, why would you want to leave?”

“And we want Wanda to stay, too,” Davison said.