The redemption theme was offered by Kansas forward Chris Piper in reference to the Jayhawks' last two victories.

"We're glad to have another shot at Oklahoma," Piper said about the members-only party the Big Eight Conference is throwing tonight in Kemper Arena.

"We got a chance to play Kansas State (in the Midwest Region final) and redeem ourselves," Piper noted. "We got a chance to play Duke (in the Final Four semifinals) and redeem ourselves. Now, we have a chance to play Oklahoma and redeem ourselves."

KU gets its third, and last chance tonight when it faces the Sooners for the championship of college basketball. Tipoff for the last game of the season is set for 8:12 p.m.

Oklahoma, the Los Angeles Raiders of college hoops, is an eight-point favorite, even though the basketball gods would seem to favor the Jayhawks, who have written one heck of a fairy-tale script.

One reporter Sunday went so far as to ask Sooner Coach Billy Tubbs whether he thought God would be rooting for the Jayhawks. Predictably, Tubbs responded with one of his press-conference quips, which have come as quickly and easily here as his team's points.

"Who?" Tubbs replied. "What's his number?"

Tubbs added that he doubted whether either team could expect divine support, although considering KU's season, there's reason to wonder.

Even Coach Larry Brown, who masterminded the Jayhawks' transformation from a 12-8 team to a contender for the national championship, admits he is having fun and that's almost unheard of.

"This is first time in my life I've ever really enjoyed what was going on," said Brown, who generally reserves that enjoyment for after the season. "Nothing's topped this."

Well: one thing could. A national championship would be a nice topping ... for both teams.

"KU has a great coach and great players," Sooner center Stacey King said, "and Danny Manning, this being his last game I'm sure he wants to win the national title."

Of course, the Sooners also understand that they can beat KU. "When you've beaten somebody, at least you know you can do it." Tubbs said. "It removes a lot of doubt from your mind."

Not that the Sooners are short of confidence, mind you. Guard Ricky Grace, asked whether KU has an edge playing 30 minutes from home, replied, "We beat 'em in Lawrence, so I don't see any reason we can't beat 'em in Kansas City.

To beat the Jayhawks tonight, Oklahoma has to contain KU All-American Danny Manning - "The most talented player in the nation, by far," said O:U's Harvey Grant - and not let someone such as Milt Newton go wild, as he did in the Jayhawks' semifinal win over Duke.

"I see a lot of guys having great games for them," Tubbs said. "Danny's the type of player who creates a lot of things for their other players."

KU, seeking its first national championship since 1952, will have to find a way to handle Oklahoma's high-intensity press. Jayhawk guard Kevin Pritchard calls it "the greatest press in the world" because of the team's overall quickness.

"The key to beating it," Pritchard said, "is once you get past the first trap, you attack it."

Easier said than done. The Sooners have won 35 games relyig on their press to ignite a relentless run-and-shoot offense that has ageraged 103.5 points a game.

"They're the best team in the country, no question." said KU's Brown.

No one has confused the Jayhawks with the country's bests, but they're one of tw teams still playing basketball.

"From a coaching standpoint, you have to appreciate what they've been through." Tubbs said.