Here are some questions and Larry Brown’s answers in a 30-minute interview Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse. He’s in town for KU’s 20-year national championship team reunion.

Q: When you think of the 1988 season, what comes to mind?

A: We were 12-8 at one time. We lose to K-State, Duke and Oklahoma, and the last three teams we beat (for title) are K-State, Duke and Oklahoma. You have to think of Danny (Manning). It was just an unbelievable run.

Q: Were you ever depressed when the team was 12-8 or 17-10?

A: I was really down because we lost Marvin (Branch), (Mike) Masucci, Otis (Livingston). There were so many things going on. I remember in our five-game losing streak (KU lost five of six games to go 12-8) I started to feel good. I thought we were getting better. I told the team that. The game that changed everything : we went to K-State and beat K-State (64-63 with four games left in Big Eight season). We had the best player playing at the highest level of his career and finally just saying, “I’m gonna do this, just follow me.” I remember saying in timeouts, “Get us to the last five minutes and he (Manning) will find a way to win.”

Q: Do you have vivid memories of the NCAAs and victories over Xavier, Murray State, Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Duke and Oklahoma?

A: That whole run is pretty clear to me. The Xavier game : Kevin (Pritchard) was hurt. They pressed us. The first play we sent Kevin long. He dunked and forgot his injury. I remember Vanderbilt had a silly zone. Danny got 20-something the first half with us playing at a high level. We stayed at a hotel (in Lincoln, Neb.) where Purdue fans were trying to buy our tickets if we lost the first game. Lo and behold, we end up going there (to Detroit for Sweet 16), and they got beat. I remember our bus driver, Jimmy Dunlap, everything.”

Q: Could Murray State have beaten you in Game Two – a 61-58 victory in Lincoln, Neb.?

A: Oh yes. Al McGuire told me something as a young coach. He said, “You’ve got to win a game or two in the tournament where you are really lucky.” That game : you could make a case we were lucky. Some games we were unlucky prior to that. People say, “Well, you beat teams that were not supposed to be there.” That’s the nature of the tournament. K-State, Duke and Oklahoma were pretty good teams.

Q: Were you worried if K-State beat KU in the Elite Eight and won a national title that the Wildcat program might pass KU?

A: No. This school : when you think who has been here and what has been accomplished : I don’t think many things will be bigger than KU basketball. This team is fondly remembered because it was so unexpected. K-State was a pretty worthy opponent.

Q: What were your emotions during the victory parade in Lawrence after the title game?

A: If you remember, I was going through the UCLA thing (job offer). That was killing me. I gave our players the choice of coming home after the game or spending the night in Kansas City. I really wanted to come back. I felt being in Lawrence after winning it would be unique for the kids. We got on the bus and “caravanned” back, and people were on the highway waving. We go to the stadium (for rally next day) : all those things run together. It was a remarkable parade, but to me the motorcade from Kansas City to Lawrence : that was great.”

Q: Are you surprised Kansas hasn’t won a title since ’88?

A: We’ve certainly had enough chances. Again, you’ve got to be really lucky. I’m not so sure we hadn’t had the best team a couple of times. I wouldn’t want to take away from any of the teams, but our ’86 team was pretty darn good. We didn’t win it, and that was as good a team as I’ve ever seen in college. I even thought ’87 was a great team. Ced (Hunter) got hurt at the end. That team had a chance.”