With about five minutes left in the game and KU down by 19, the estimated 8,000 Jayhawk fans who had gathered in Allen Fieldhouse Saturday night began their exodus.
More than one fan said, “Next year!” as they left the fieldhouse, where they watched the KU vs. Villanova Final Four game on the big screens above center court.
Some touched the Phog Allen statue one last time for the season. While certainly disappointed at the trouncing by Villanova, many said they were happy the Jayhawks had made it to the Final Four.
“Way above expectations,” said Johnny Russell, a KU grad who works in IT at the university.