Big 12: KU reaches 2,000 wins
Kansas’ 80-68 victory over Texas Tech was win No. 2,000 in Jayhawk history.
“It’s exciting to be part of the 2,000th win, because very few programs have that opportunity,” KU center Cole Aldrich said. “I think when we’re all done playing basketball, we’ll look at it, kind of have a reunion and just kind of hang our hats on just being a small part of that 2,000. And having so many great players at the university that played before us is really special.”
Kansas head coach Bill Self reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech at the Big 12 Conference men's tournament, Thursday, March 11, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas won 80-68. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
KU’s tradition takes a backseat to none. Not North Carolina’s. Not UCLA’s. Not Kentucky’s. Not Duke’s. Not Indiana’s.
Kansas joins North Carolina at exactly 2,000 wins. They trail only Kentucky (2,017).
“We have played a very minimal role in that, obviously,” said Bill Self, in his seventh year as KU’s coach. “We were joking on the way in; Max Falkenstien has been there for 1,700 of them. That’s a joke, but probably not far off.”
Falkenstien is the legendary broadcaster who called on radio called Kansas games for 60 years, 1946-2006. He didn’t call 1,700 wins, but Falkenstien called 1,750 games. And Falkenstien, 85, was at the Sprint Center on Thursday, still looking and acting like he could a Jayhawk game if necessary.
Falkenstien is a great example of KU’s tradition. It was fitting that he was in the building for victory No. 2,000.
“I think it does mean a lot to our fan base,” Self said. “To be the only programs in America (with Carolina and Kentucky) to reach that milestone, I think it does speak volumes worth of history and tradition of the program. We’re very proud of it. It hadn’t been a big point of emphasis for this team, but I think the guys respect the past enough to know it’s a big deal.”
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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