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With the No. 2 KU men’s basketball team hosting No. 14 Iowa State University and a 125th anniversary celebration excitingly complementing the main event, this weekend will be the Kansas Basketball Festival for years to come.
Dozens of former players, coaches, managers and more are expected to return to Lawrence this weekend for a series of reunion events that honor the KU program’s rich history.
Among them will be four KU basketball coaches who have overseen the program for the past 60 years. Current coach Bill Self and former head of Kansas his coaches Roy Williams, Larry Brown and Ted Owens. The four got together in 2014 to celebrate his 60th anniversary of Allen Field House.
“I don’t know for sure, but[but]I believe Coach Williams will be back,” Self said on Monday night’s weekly radio show Hawk Talk. “We believe that Coach Brown will be back. I hope you’re in the same room, that’s pretty cool.
Preparations for Saturday’s celebration have been ongoing for months, with the program planning the event, distributing invitations, creating milestone logos, and appearing on uniforms, posters, schedules, and more throughout the season.
Over the last few decades, KU has tried to hold a reunion of sorts at least once every five years. And Self has shown in his 20 years on the program that events like this mean a lot to him, both in words and deeds.
Self said that during his time at the University of Kansas, there has never been a better player, coach, or person than the KU program, and current coaches and players have a responsibility to respect, grow, and sustain Kansas’ rich heritage. I have emphasized that I am only a caretaker. basketball.
Some of these events draw more guests than others, but this year’s gala is one of the biggest in recent memory.
Some of the biggest names in Kansas basketball history are expected to attend the weekend, but it hasn’t been on this scale since the program’s 100th anniversary 25 years ago.
Over 200 players, coaches, managers and trainers will be returning this weekend.
Self said members of last year’s national title team are at Lawrence, including Drew Gooden, Nick Collison, Darrell Arthur, Mario Chalmers, Sheron Collins, Mitch Lightfoot and Jalen Coleman Lands. Many celebrities these days are unable to attend due to NBA schedules.
Self said of players like Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Morris Twins, rookie Ochai Agbaj, and Christian Brown, “The guys who hung up the jerseys are playing at the next level, so a lot of them are.” Players can’t come.”After playing, there are a few more Saturdays available. For example, Mario Chalmers is no longer playing, so it’s easier to come back now than it was five years ago.” ”
The Chalmers have been a frequent participant in the program in recent years, with the Chalmers playing self to win a national title, but the current Kansas coach has opened the door and encouraged all former players to join the program. welcomed to continue. the head coach they played for.
Williams did the same during his time in charge of the program. Williams, who recently retired after a 33-year Hall of Fame career in North Carolina, attended his first game, the KU-Iowa State game, last season. Since he left KU in 2003, Allen has worked at the Fieldhouse.
“It’s always nice to see you all,” Self said on “Hawk Talk.” “One of the things that is harder than people realize is getting everyone from different eras, coaches, generations involved. ) You can catch it and you can touch a lot of people.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for 3 p.m. on ESPN+, and while recognizing all past Jayhawks on the court was one of the highlights of the day, Self’s second-place team was the Cyclones. I have my hands full. likewise.
Iowa State ranked fifth in the nation in defensive power, according to KenPom.com’s defensive efficiency rating, as the Cyclones picked up their sixth straight victory just after an 84-50 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. I came to town.
With 13-2 overall and 4-0 in Big 12 plays, the ISU tops the Big 12 standings, tied 3-1 with undefeated Kansas State and Kansas State.
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