Fansided

Each state’s nominee for America’s Team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guards Frank Mason (0) and Devonte’ Graham (4) celebrate after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guards Frank Mason (0) and Devonte’ Graham (4) celebrate after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas

Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball

If Kauffman Stadium or Arrowhead Stadium had been built 11 miles to the west, over the border into Kansas City, Kansas instead of Kansas City, Missouri, the Royals or Chiefs would have a case as the Sunflower State’s nominee for America’s Team. After all, Chiefs fans helped the team set a Guiness World Record for crowd noise – loudly proving their devotion to the cause. However, given their residence in Missouri, both are ineligible. That leaves a couple of basketball teams as Kansas’ best options, and since the game was invented there, that makes perfect sense.

Many Americans root for the Wichita State Shockers on the hard court, especially in March and especially if he or she picked the mid-major power to score an upset in the NCAA Tournament. However, a much larger fanbase follows the University of Kansas Jayhawks, and since Dr. James Naismith – the person that literally invented basketball – founded the program in Lawrence, KU gets the nod.

Naismith wrote the first official rules for basketball in 1891 at the age of 31. Six years later, he took a job as an instructor at Kansas before starting and coaching the team, and becoming the school’s athletic director.

Kansas grew into a national power. Nany of the people responsible for growing the game, including Phog Allen, played for Naismith or attended Kansas. Among the notable Hall of Fame coaches to play for Allen at KU were Dean Smith and Adolph Rupp, who are largely responsible for turning North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively, into powerhouse college basketball programs.

Overall, Kansas has won the NCAA Tournament three times (most recently in 2012), finished as the runner-up six times and participated in the Final Four 14 times.

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