photo by: Chris Conde

Ruth Stewart and Kennadi Gordon hold pompoms to cheer on the Jayhawks on Monday, April 4, 2022, in downtown Lawrence.

Students and KU fans started lining up to get their viewing spots at bars and other venues as early as 6 a.m. for the men’s NCAA Championship, while other fans simply enjoyed a wide-open Massachusetts Street that was closed to traffic on Monday. Hours ahead of KU’s 8:20 p.m. tip-off against North Carolina, they shared their thoughts on the game, including some superstitions and rituals that they hoped would ensure a KU victory.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

KU fans stand in line for a spot at Logie’s on Mass, 728 Massachusetts St., on Monday, April 4, 2022, before KU’s national championship game. The bar opened at noon, and some of the fans had been waiting since 6 a.m.

photo by: Chris Conde

From left, KU fans Mollie Elfrink, Caroline Whipple, Jule Luhrsem, Becca Jones, Grace Miller, and Alexi Fisher pose in downtown Lawrence on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Fans started lining up at Logie’s on Mass, 728 Massachusetts St., and were ready for a long day of drinks and high spirits.

“I think the ritual is just downing drinks. Every time we talk about winning we knock on wood,” Grace Miller said.

“We are planning how we are going to storm Mass.,” said Caroline Whipple.

photo by: Chris Conde

KU fans Lee Beth Dever, left, and Diane Knapp are pictured with Dever’s dog, Manny, on Massachusetts Street on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Lee Beth Dever, her dog Manny, and Diane Knapp are taking full advantage of the closed street by walking up and down to calm their nerves before the game.

“Same place, same seat, same shirt,” Knapp said about ritually preparing for a KU win.

photo by: Chris Conde

KU senior Nichole Smith is pictured on Massachusetts Street on Monday, April 4, 2022, before KU’s national championship game.

Clothes and other bodily adornments seem to be the superstition of choice for some KU fans. Nichole Smith, a senior studying elementary education, has her special good-luck charms.

“I have worn the same earrings and my Jayhawk necklace for every game, so I wore it all week, and it’s ready for the game today.”

photo by: Chris Conde

Jamie Hall, left, and Drew Meecham are pictured in downtown Lawrence on Monday, April 4, 2022, before KU’s national championship game.

Drew Meecham, a freshman studying pre-medicine at KU, is sure to wear the same jacket for every game no matter how worn out it gets.

“All season I’ve been wearing this teal windbreaker, and every time I’ve worn it we have a good game,” Meecham said.

His friend Jamie Hall, a sophomore studying English, has the same superstition about clothes and games.

“I was a baseball player my whole life and have superstition baked into me. I wear this jersey and I had to do a quick load of laundry last night because someone spilled a drink on it and I had to wear it again today,” Hall said.

photo by: Chris Conde

KU student Cydney Putnam is pictured on Massachusetts Street on Monday, April 4, 2022, before KU’s national championship game.

Cydney Putnam, a freshman studying industrial design, grew up in Nebraska but is out to prove her Jayhawk credentials.

“I am here to spread some school spirit. Last time I was here (Logie’s) we won, so I am back, and I wore this sticker, so I got a new one of those,” Putnam said.

photo by: Chris Conde

KU fan Ron Lassiter is pictured on Massachusetts Street on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Ron Lassiter, who calls himself a lifelong fan, came out to support the team and check out the crowds on Mass.

photo by: Chris Conde

From left, KU fans Jimmy, Jill, and Jackson Millaway are pictured on Massachusetts Street on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Jimmy Millaway hasn’t changed his clothes since Saturday “just in case,” he said. His mom, Jill, and brother Jackson are wearing fresh clothes, but they are equally excited, they said. Jackson’s favorite thing to yell during the game is “Agbaji for three,” a reference to KU senior guard Ochai Agbaji.

photo by: Chris Conde

KU students Braden Viloria and Noah Talley are pictured on Massachusetts Street on Monday, April 4, 2022, before KU’s national championship game.

Juniors Braden Viloria, who studies finance, and Noah Talley, who studies marketing, always wear their team colors, but they say the food might be more important than the clothes.

“Before every game we get a pepperoni pizza,” Viloria said.

“Eat it with the boys and head over to whatever bar we are going to and have a good time,” Talley said.

photo by: Chris Conde

KU fans Nathan Devin, left, and Andy Devin are pictured on Massachusetts Street on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Nathan Devin, a lifelong KU fan, said he flew in at 3 a.m. from Denver to enjoy the spectacle. His dad, Andy Devin, said Nathan saw the pictures from Saturday online and didn’t want to miss out.

“I think the old superstition is to spit in the river before the game. We haven’t done it yet, but there’s still time,” Andy said.

photo by: Chris Conde

Buskers Shawn Riley, left, and Billy Roberts perform on Massachusetts Street on Monday, April 4, 2022, before the Kansas men’s basketball team’s national championship game. Sitting in front of them is their rabbit.