Kansas at THE GAME by Ed Zamarripa

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Jayhawk five that day,
The score stood 60 to 51, with but two minutes left to play;
As Memphis had a commanding lead, they sensed a new-found fame,
A sickly silence fell upon the faithful at the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to the hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only KU could rally and score in a hurry,
We’d put up even money, now, with KU in a flurry.

But Memphis had the ball and time was on their side,
No need to push with a nine point lead, just stall and enjoy the ride,
So upon the stricken multitude grim melancholy grew,
For there seemed but little chance of a rally by KU.

But Memphis missed the shots they took and KU got the ‘bound,
They ran the ball up the court, the open man they found;
And when the flurry ended and all the fans could see,
Arthur had hit a jumper and Collins nailed a three.

Then from 10,000 throats and more there rose a robust yell,
It rumbled throughout Lawrence, and all the state as well;
It echoed in the AlamoDome and rattled out the door,
For Kansas, mighty Kansas, was only down by four.

There was confidence in KU’s manner as they came back on the floor;
There was pride in KU’s bearing, we were in the game once more;
And then responding to the cheers the KU five got set,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt the game wasn’t over yet.

Memphis had the ball again and moved it up the court;
KU’s defense was as solid as a military fort;
“Foul him! Foul him!” yelled the coach the hardwood he did pound,
“They have to make their free throws,” with pressure all around.

And so they reached and fouled the best shooter of them all,
He sauntered to the free throw line and calmly took the ball;
With ease he eyed the rim and said “I’ll put ‘em in a fix,”
And calmly hit two free throws to go ahead by six.

Then Mario dribbled to the side to draw the Memphis foul,
He calmly hit two free throws that drew a Memphis scowl;
The defense held, we got the ‘bound, it did create a din,
We took it to the other end, and Arthur laid it in.

Down by two, time running out, “We have to foul” they knew,
And so they fouled the freshman, who hit the second of two;
We’re down by three, we had the ball, the time read ten point eight,
We knew we had to score a 3 or it would be too late.

Collins raced the ball up the court, he went to his right side,
Mario circled back around and caught the pass in stride;
He took one step and launched the shot on which our hopes did ride;
He swished the three as time ran down, at last the game was tied.

The overtime belonged entirely to the Jayhawk five that day,
They pulled away with relative ease, we showed our style of play, 
Our defense was outstanding, the shot selection great,
And when the buzzer sounded, ‘hawks would celebrate.

And everywhere in this favored town there was a stunning sight;
We gathered 40,000 strong on Mass Street that great night;
And everywhere the folks did cheer, and some climbed the street lamps,
For there is great joy in Lawrence--- Kansas, NATIONAL CHAMPS!