Kansas City Sports Bracketology: Top 64 Seasons, Round One, Part One
By Mike Norris
Former Kansas Jayhawks head coach Roy Williams – Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
(7) 1996-97 Kansas Basketball vs. (10) 1993 Kansas State Football
If not for an amazing run by Arizona, the 1996-97 Jayhawks could have gone down as one of the best college basketball teams of all-time. The squad that featured future NBAers Paul Pierce, Jacque Vaughan, Raef LaFrentz and Scot Pollard was 33-1 heading in to the NCAA Tournament with its only loss coming in double overtime at Missouri.
However, Arizona, led by guards Mike Bibby and Miles Simon, upset the Jayhawks 85-82 in the Sweet 16 on its way to the program’s first national title, and keeping KU coach Roy Williams title-less at the time.
1993 was an amazing season for the Kansas State football team as it finished 9-2-1 (most wins since 1910) and won the school’s first bowl — a 52-17 victory against Wyoming in the Copper Bowl. While Wildcat fans had to be excited about the future, no one could have known just how good it was going to be. This season was the start of it all.
Wide receiver Kevin Lockett, father of former Wildcat Tyler Lockett, led the team with 50 catches and 770 receiving yards.
Next: Party Like It's 1985