KANSAS CITY, Mo. — University of Kansas fans are buzzing after a thrilling game against Villanova ended with a trip to the national championship for the Jayhawks.
Fans attending a watch party at Allen Fieldhouse stormed the court seconds after time expired.
BREAKING : THE KANSAS JAYHAWKS ADVANCE TO THE NCAA MENS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME MONDAY NIGHT !!!!
— Leslie DelasBour KSHB 41 (@ldelasbourtv) April 3, 2022
Allen Fieldhouse has STORMED the court !!!! #RockChalk #Jayhawks @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/jY4ZYuc4Aj
Fans inside Allen Fieldhouse STORMED the court after @KUHoops win over Villanova. Students are now headed to Massachusetts St. in Lawrence to celebrate!!! Here are some images of the court after the win. #RockChalk #Jayhawk @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/eeJu9fSNnL
— Leslie DelasBour KSHB 41 (@ldelasbourtv) April 3, 2022
Soon after, those already celebrating along Massachusetts Street in Lawrence took to the streets to carry on the winning tradition of rushing Mass.
Jayhawks headed to the championship and also toward downtown. Celebrate safely fans! #RockChalk! pic.twitter.com/qrQSlWXIPU
— Lawrence Police (@LawrenceKS_PD) April 3, 2022
And while the street was closed earlier in the day as a safety measure, the Lawrence Police Department kindly reminded celebrators that climbing light poles is just as dangerous as it is unwelcome.
A reminder: Jayhawks can NOT fly. Remain on ground level. Please and thank you.
— Lawrence Police (@LawrenceKS_PD) April 3, 2022
Additionally, LPD advised any non-injury accidents near downtown Lawrence should be reported tomorrow.
Non injury accidents near downtown: Please exchange information and wait to report it tomorrow. We’re having too much fun — oh, and keeping people safe.
— Lawrence Police (@LawrenceKS_PD) April 3, 2022
Nevertheless, fans continued celebrating on Mass into the evening.
Around 9 p.m., pedestrians were asked to return to the sidewalks. Then about an hour later, barricades were lifted and streets were opened.
Uhm, ya’ll know we really don’t have Uber and Lyft lanes in Lawrence, right? We do have officers who issue DUI’s tho. Streets are open.
— Lawrence Police (@LawrenceKS_PD) April 3, 2022
In New Orleans, there was no storming of the court, but fans made it known loud and clear they were proud of their team.
Kansas loading the wagons 👏🏼
— Hayley Lewis 👑 (@HayleyLewisKSHB) April 3, 2022
Jayhawks heads to the Natty title game‼️🏆 #MarchMadness #FinalFour #Kansas #jayhawks pic.twitter.com/TYGhlwqhwh
And in the hours following KU's win, congratulations poured in.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly tweeted her congratulations on behalf of the state of Kansas.
Congrats to @KUHoops on a very deserving #FinalFour victory. The state of Kansas is cheering you on as you advance to the @MarchMadnessMBB CHAMPIONSHIP! Rock Chalk!
— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) April 3, 2022
In Kansas City, Missouri, Union Station was lit crimson and blue in honor of the 81-65 victory.
Congratulations, @KUHoops! National Championship bound! Tonight, Union Station will feature a special crimson and blue light show celebrating today's big win. #RockChalk #MarchMadness Photo taken Friday evening by Car“Los” Jose Ramírez pic.twitter.com/ed7JAM92Vo
— Union Station KC (@UnionStationKC) April 3, 2022
KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas even tweeted a special shoutout to Kansas City local Ochai Agbaji and his family.
Proud of Kansas City raised @youngoch and of course, his pops, who is our colleague in city planning and his mother and sister, who are all great athletes and even better people! https://t.co/faa2ebEwAc
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) April 3, 2022
