“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Roman philosopher Seneca, first century AD

“Luck is when opportunity knocks and you answer.” – Author unknown

Any NCAA basketball coach will tell you that no team scores six straight NCAA Tournament victories to capture a national championship without at least a little bit of luck. The key is being able to answer the door when opportunity knocks.

The Kansas Jayhawks were able to do just that Monday night. With what many fans saw as barely a glimmer of hope remaining, Jayhawks had the answer, an answer born of good coaching, mental toughness and hundreds of hours of preparation.

What a treat for fans to see the KU team celebrating such a hard-fought, exciting victory. Coach Bill Self had his team ready to play and offered his players what proved to be the perfect message: Relax, have fun, believe. The conduct and commitment of the team and coaches were a wonderful reflection on KU and Kansas.

The championship game also was a wonderful tribute to the Kansas basketball tradition. All three of KU’s surviving former coaches were on hand to cheer the team. Ted Owens was in attendance. Larry Brown, who coached KU’s last national championship team, was there. Roy Williams joined the KU fans and risked the wrath of the North Carolina faithful by wearing a Jayhawk on his sweater in honor of his continuing affection for KU.

A whole group of former KU players was in the stands, and Danny Manning, the leader of the 1988 championship team, sat on the bench, now as a coach. Even Memphis coach John Calipari has ties to Jayhawk basketball. How could the tradition of KU basketball not inspire the players of today?

That being said, however, none of the former coaches or players were on the court Monday night. This victory belongs to a talented and tenacious group of Jayhawk players and coaches who have led their fans through a number of heart-stopping interludes and heart-warming victories. We thank them for carrying on the KU tradition in grand style and congratulate them on a stunning and memorable victory.

Go, ‘Hawks.