Be(A)ware of the Phog

The movie "The Bucket List" comes out today. It is the story of two terminally ill cancer patients who devise a list of things they want to do before they die. Starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, "The Bucket List" looks like one I would like to cross off my list and see.

The Sports Wife and I got to cross one off our list a couple weeks ago as we ventured up to Lawrence for our first Kansas basketball game at fabled Allen Fieldhouse. We had been to AFH last season for Late Night at the Phog which opens the practice season.

Getting to actually attend a game was one of the highlights of our Christmas season. We were guests of the Stewart family of Lawrence through one of my wife's co-workers. They were most gracious and friendly hosts and we are forever grateful for the opportunity.

We arrived at the Phog at 5:30- 1 1/2 hours before game time which allowed us to watch both teams warm up. Of course, KU was playing Yale that night so we really weren't much interested in watching the visitors, although a side note, the Bulldogs have a set of twins from Olathe playing which gave the game a nice local flavor for the team from New Haven, CT.

Warm-ups included assistant coaches, Danny Manning, Joe Dooley, and graduate assistant Michael Lee working with the different groups of players for about 30 minutes. It was pretty neat to see the assistants out in there t-shirts and shorts.

As for the players, it's really eye-opening when you actually see the talent of a top-tier program going through their warm-ups. Every player makes it look so easy and effortless, even the walk-ons. I think if I hadn't been so enthralled with the fieldhouse itself, I would have been even more impressed.

Of course KU went on to beat Yale by 30 that night, but the game somehow took a backseat to the whole ambience of the arena and the history surrounding it. It really hits you when they roll through a 90-second video of the history of KU basketball during player introductions. I had chills running up my spine during that part of the festivities. (Ok, I know, I should probably be committed).

The KU band keeps things pretty lively throughout as well. It's entertaining to watch the student sections on either end of the fieldhouse. I wouldn't want to have to shoot free throws against that backdrop.

I was able to stroll through the Booth Hall of Athletics in the front of AFH during halftime. It definitely deserves more than 10-15 minutes, but I was able to see the '88 National Championship trophy and net along with a ball signed by all of the players. Next to the trophy was Wayne Simien's world championship ring from his rookie season with the Miami Heat that he donated last year.

As a basketball fan and a rabid KU fan, the experience was tremendous. I hope to be able to attend another game at Allen Fieldhouse in the future, but I doubt it will ever equal our first experience.