Kansas reigns . . . on Twitter
There may not have been a March Madness this year, but that doesn't mean you can't relive some of the best moments of past tourneys. With live sports indefinitely on hold due to the coronavirus, various stations have been broadcasting old games.
Sunday afternoon, CBS Sports reaired the 2008 NCAA national championship game between Kansas and Memphis, and Twitter loved it. Not just because it was a great game, but because former Kansas players and coach Bill Self were live tweeting along with it. For three hours, the Jayhawks reigned supreme again, both on television and over social media.
Although the Hall of Fame coach had seen the game many times, he added he hadn't re-watched it in a decade.
“Coming out of twitter retirement to live tweet during the 2008 National Championship game at 11 AM CT on CBS. I feel pretty good about this one,” Self tweeted Sunday morning. “These are obviously new times for everyone. I hope net flix can be put on hold this morning and watch our Jayhawks. Tip off in about 30 minutes.
“In normal times we'd be prepping to play in Omaha today. Remember the 2020 studs and the year they had as we watch past ku legends in a few minutes.”
Self even gave insider information from that game; everything from what was going on in his head, what he was thinking, how his players were doing, how formidable Memphis was.
“My guys were saying it's over,” Self recalled. “I'm saying what are you talking about. But watch first 3 possessions they are perfect. And I mean perfect.”
The Jayhawks, as history would have it, went on to win that game against the two-point favorite Tigers.
Self capped his feed the same way he capped that season: by saying thank you for the memories.
“What a game. What a team what a group of individuals. They spoiled us. What a privilege to be their coach. Joe Kurtis Danny Ronnie Mike Lee, what a staff. Thanks for giving me the ride of my life. Love you all,” Self wrote. “I hope this provided a little entertainment during these times. Stay safe and healthy.”
Former Jayhawk Mario Chalmers — who famously tied the game with a three-point shot after his team trailed in the final seconds of regulation play — also tuned in and took his thoughts in real time to twitter.
Chalmers mostly tweeted reminiscing the big plays with comments like, “D block was a monster on the boards…..,” “Ok @BRush_25 I see u wit the in and out…..everybody knows he not goin left lol” and “2nd half. It's bout to get real.”