Scott Drew and the Jayhawk Pre-game Video

In the interest of full disclosure, I should reveal that I have a degree from the University of Kansas. But I've also long admired Baylor Basketball Coach Scott Drew. So I watched with interest last night as Drew pulled his team off James Naismith Court just after they were introduced at Allen Fieldhouse. Drew apparently gave his starters final instructions in the much quieter hallway underneath the Fieldhouse stands. This decision ruffled more than a few Jayhawk feathers, however, as Drew's pregame talk was held during the Kansas player introductions and viewing of the Jayhawk pregame video.

I thought Drew's move was sheer coaching genius, and I'll bet he'd been planning it since he walked out of the building after a 100-90 loss February 9, 2008. I've watched a number of games at Allen Fieldhouse over the last several years. The pregame video is like nothing I've ever seen. It gives goose bumps to the most stoic college basketball fan. It's a fascinating, motivating, comprehensive history lesson in Kansas basketball. Even those who aren't Jayhawk fans usually watch it with at least a modicum of admiration and awe.

The video is designed to reinforce KU's traditions of All-Americans, conference championships, Final Fours, and national titles. But lets face it, the video has two other, perhaps primary, purposes. The first is to get the crowd as jazzed as possible, to create a euphoria and decibel level that will dizzy the opposition until the first television timeout. The second purpose is to intimidate the opposing team as much as possible, and the video does that, par excellence. I've observed several teams which have come into the storied arena with video cameras and picture phones, appearing to believe they are fortunate just to be able to suit up in the place (some, undoubtedly are). They've then watched the pre-game video with their heads cocked, looking upward to the scoreboard in a trance-like state. Then they've promptly been run out of the gym.

So to the Jayhawk fans that feel like Scott Drew dissed them and Coach Bill Self's team, I say: let's get over ourselves. Scott Drew came to Lawrence as a man on a mission. He was on a business trip, and he did not feel obligated to participate in Kansas's pre-game pep rally. Perhaps he'd learned something about his teams in previous contests at Allen Fieldhouse. Perhaps he'd seen in his players' eyes not a steely resolve to win, but instead a fear that they were to become yet another notch in the storied program's belt.

Since when should we expect any team to participate in the other team's lovefest? Scott Drew is obligated to take every fair, legal, and ethical measure necessary to give his team the best chance to win. I don't see how subjecting your team to "The Video" does that. This isn't the Harlem Globetrotters vs. Washington Generals. These guys don't hang out together after the game. They don't ride the same bus or fly the same airplane. No one should be forced to join the other team's admiration society. Kansas fans shouldn't expect any team to bow down to the statue of Phog Allen.

I'm sure Drew would have preferred to not co-mingle missing the video with missing the Jayhawk introductions. The two are almost inseparable, however, so that would have been difficult. And, the jury is still out on whether or not it ended up being a good move in the end. Kansas's Sherron Collins's outstanding play last night was reportedly fueled by the perceived disrespect Baylor showed by skipping the video. Other teams may decide to skip the video at their peril. Be that as it may, Baylor schooled the Jayhawks in most phases of the game during the first half. They bettered Kansas in many of the game's final statistical categories as well. The Bears were the first team to shoot over 50% from the field (52%) against the Jayhawks over Kansas's last 92 games. They almost ended the Jayhawks' home court winning streak at 52. So despite irritating Collins (and apparently Self), Drew's decision still probably gave the Bears their best chance to win.

I must say I think the issue going forward is not whether or not the other team is watching the Jayhawk pre-game video. The issue, instead, is whether or not the Jayhawks should be watching their own video. No matter how storied a program, the only game that matters is the next one. It appears the Jayhawks sometimes think watching Mario's Miracle or Danny and the Miracles is enough to make the other team take a dive. Scott Drew proved it is not.

The Jayhawks should bask in their tradition but forget about it come game time. They need to do that before their upcoming Big Monday contest with Missouri. Fortunately I get to go to that game as well. It will be interesting to see whether or not Mike Anderson and his Tigers will hang around after they're introduced. And it will be equally interesting to see whether or not the Jayhawks think the video will be enough to get them their 54^th consecutive win at home. To do so, it may take an effort superior to the one Kansas delivered last night against Baylor.