Coast to coast
Trip to Atlanta goes through Golden State
San Jose, Calif. ? Chris Piper’s been here before.
Twice.
As a forward for the Kansas Jayhawks, Piper played in regional finals of two NCAA Tournaments – winning both times, in 1986 and 1988 – but never had to face the pressure he’s enduring since KU advanced to play UCLA in today’s game.
“The fans, all they want to talk about is the Final Four – making travel arrangements for the Final Four, making ticket arrangements for the Final Four,” said Piper, hoofing it back to the team hotel in San Jose after attempting to watch KU’s practice at HP Pavilion. “I don’t want to jinx myself. It’s just, ‘Let’s win and go forward.'”
While KU’s players are relatively insulated from all the fanfare – eating team breakfasts, watching film, going to meetings, running through practice, having more team meetings and otherwise sharpening their focus – fans found themselves with little more to do than take in the sights, shop a bit and, of course, confidently plan ahead.
Dave Curnutt, who knows a thing or two about telephone orders – he owns 36 Pizza Huts in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska – spent much of his time working the phones Friday morning, lining up flights to Atlanta.
After checking in with three airlines and plunking down $1,176 for a pair of round-trip tickets, the Topeka resident, who spends his winters in Phoenix, prepared to take in San Jose’s technology museum, after enduring contemporary art at a museum next door to the Fairmont Hotel.
All that’s left is a little matter known as a basketball game, one whose winner will be among four teams taking the court a week from today at the Georgia Dome for a shot at a national title.
NCAA Tournament
- Brink of history (03-24-07)
- UCLA’s Collison connected to KU (03-24-07)
- Keegan: Rush vs. Afflalo a treat (03-24-07)
- Mayer: KU title in 2007 would be a fitting tribute (03-24-07)
- ‘Wild’ Wright key tonight (03-24-07)
- What about next season? (03-24-07)
- Ryan Wood’s UCLA notebook (03-24-07)
- Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook (03-24-07)
- Coast to coast (03-24-07)
- ‘Blinky’ Jayhawk pins sell like hot cakes (03-24-07)
- Lawrencians find ways to celebrate in town (03-24-07)
- Trip to Final Four would be first for Coach Self (03-23-07)
- KU and UCLA prepare for big day (03-23-07)
- The ‘Madness’ continues to escalate (03-23-07)
- Both Lawrence and KU police will have extra officers on duty (03-23-07)
- KU set to ‘Bear’ down against the Bruins of UCLA (03-23-07)
- Fill out your own NCAA Tournament bracket »
- Share your videos and photos »
- Complete NCAA Tournament coverage »
- 50th Anniversary of 1957 Championship »