Game has Lawrence cheering
It would be hard to say who was happier after the Jayhawks’ 69-65 victory over Duke on Thursday night: the players, the fans — or Lawrence bar owners.
Thousands of basketball fans watched the men’s basketball team take on Duke in the NCAA Tournament, many from the comfort of their own couch but hundreds at local sports bars and restaurants.
They downed pitchers of beer, snarfed burgers and appetizers and cheered in chorus as the two teams battled point-for-point.
“It’s been a pretty good atmosphere so far,” said Dustin Leite, a Kansas University junior who cheered on the Jayhawks with friends at Jefferson’s Restaurant, 743 Mass.
Leite said the bar had been crowded since he arrived about 7:45 p.m., more than an hour before the game started.
And by the middle of the first half, that crowd was getting excited, jeering at players and poking fun at Duke whenever possible.
“Their mascot’s the devil,” Leite said. “Come on — who likes the devil?”
Other bars on Massachusetts Street also were filled with screaming fans, and lines of people waiting to get in twisted out the doors of a few.
Lawrence bars and restaurants were full of cheer as Kansas University played in the NCAA Tournament. Eric Cade, center, and David Riehn celebrated a KU basket during the second half of Thursday night's game at Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar. The Jayhawks downed the Duke Blue Devils, 69-65. For more on the game, see Sports, section C.
Meanwhile, other fans decided to avoid the crowds and save a little money by watching the game at home.
At Lewis Hall a group of KU students gathered to watch the game and study, although by halftime most textbooks were being gripped with white knuckles or slammed on table edges.
“Michael Lee is underrated,” yelled Tyler Steffes. And later, “(Duke’s) Casey Sanders has the endurance of an old mule.”
With minutes left in the game, fans at Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 1012 Mass., shrieked as a shot by Aaron Miles was counted after goal tending.
They chanted “Defense,” and hugged and jumped as the seconds wound down.
And as the final buzzer blew, horns started honking, cell phones lit up and strains of the Rock Chalk chant could be heard throughout town.
WIBW video: Jayhawks battle to hard-won victory over Duke, 69-65
KU fans enjoy Nick’s time
Photos: Duke game pix
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