Times announced for Saturday’s KU basketball game, pep rally in Des Moines; KU band saves the day; How’d Baby Jay do that?

photo by: Mike Yoder

Kansas fans cheer for the Jayhawks as they take the court before a first-round NCAA tournament game against the Austin Peay Governors Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA.

The Kansas University Jayhawks handily beat — or, as KUSports.com cleverly put it, “impeached” — the Governors of Austin Peay State University in Round 1 of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Thursday in Des Moines.

With that, the Jayhawks are gearing up for another game, and the KU Alumni Association is gearing up for another party.

On Saturday, Indiana v. Kentucky tips off at 4:15 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Arena at the Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St. in Des Moines. KU v. UConn follows at approximately 6:45 p.m. (or 30 minutes after the first game ends, according to KUSports.com).

Saturday’s KU Alumni Association pre-game party and pep rally will be in the same place it was Thursday, according to Jennifer Sanner, the Alumni Association’s senior vice president for communications. Doors for the party open at 1 p.m. and the rally starts at 3:30 p.m. in meeting rooms 313-318 of the Iowa Events Center. Members of the KU band and spirit squad will be there, and there will be a cash bar and light snacks.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Kansas fans cheer for the Jayhawks as they take the court before a first-round NCAA tournament game against the Austin Peay Governors Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA.

About 750 alumni and fans attended Thursday’s rally, and the Alumni Association is planning for more than 1,000 Saturday.

“We have talked with many alumni who plan to drive in for the Saturday afternoon rally and evening game, so we expect our attendance to grow,” Heath Peterson, Alumni Association president, said in an email. “Des Moines is a great city, and it’s an easy trip for Jayhawks from Chicago, Omaha, Kansas City, Lawrence and other nearby cities. We will definitely have an even stronger KU contingent tomorrow.”

This story from Monday includes a few ideas for what to do in Des Moines if you’re staying for the weekend (their St. Patrick’s parade is today, for one).

Not in Des Moines? Find a list of other alumni watch sites around the country at kualumni.org.

I attended a watch party Thursday afternoon — in the Journal-World newsroom. Me, my computer, a couple editors, reporters and, for snacks, a stale doughnut with green shamrock sprinkles I found in the break room. Maybe I can do better Saturday night.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Perry Ellis (34) comes in for a jam against Austin Peay during the second half, Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

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KU pep band saves the day … for Drake

The basketball team wasn’t the only KU club that impressed on Thursday. The KU pep band snared some fans of its own after doing this:

The Des Moines Register reported: “After noting the women’s team wouldn’t have a pep band earlier this week, Sandy Hatfield Clubb, Drake’s athletic director, began to reach out to the band leaders of the teams in town for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Late Wednesday, the University of Kansas pep band said they would lend a hand … or a trumpet.”

Drake women’s coach Jennie Baranczyk told espn.com the KU band even learned the Bulldogs’ fight song. “I’ll be cheering for Kansas men to win,” she said.