KU fans flock together to watch tournament

(WICHITA, Kan.) — Those who couldn't make it to Tulsa to watch the Jayhawks made it to a TV Friday evening.  

The month of March, the sport of basketball, and the University of Kansas. Crimson and blue apparel were a requirement to get in the door of Larry Bud's bar.  

"Our occupancy is legal at 198," said owner Will Harmon.  Then he estimated how many people were inside his business.  "So I'm going to say 198."  Fans almost packed the place before the first point.

John Johnson sat at a table near the biggest screen.  "I'm here relaxing," he said with a smile. "I'm here with the members of my firm.  We decided to take some time off and watch the game."

Loree Peren chose her table hours earlier.  She got off work at 11 Friday morning.  "It's March Madness.  It's the first weekend of the tournament, it's the best time to be out and about," she explained.  "There's games all day long -- plus I don't have as many TV's at home."
     
This year is the first time that the games of the NCAA Tournament have been on more than just one broadcast network.  "When you have the game on cable, a lot of people have the option to watch it at home," said Harmon.  "You can't, at home, get all the roaring fans, and get the experience."  

The games are on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.  "You know, like the truTV?  Most people don't have that," he explained.  "So on those games,  we defintely get packed.  So it's not just the experience, it's also the demand."

Which is why the feathered faithful flocked here.  "I have cable," said Ella Stanhope, "but I want to rock out with a bunch of good friends and have a good time and show them that you can be 64 and be retired and go Rock Chalk Jayhawk!"

"It's a lot more fun to come here and watch it," said Johnson. "Why go home when you can come here with your friends and watch it."

And despite a few nail-biting moments in the first half, the Jayhawks sailed over Boston University.  Meaning crimson and blue will once again be required apparel here on Sunday.