Honeymoon.

Zero expectations. That is usually a comment saved for long-terrible programs, new coaching staffs and Baylor. You don’t often here it applied to the National Champions. But that is exactly what Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks are looking at this year. No expectations. They don’t have to win the conference, they don’t have to go deep in the tournament, they don’t need another Elite 8 or Final Four appearance to satisfy the fan base. The fans are going to enjoy this one. 20 years ago, NCAA sanctions, a departing coach and a swarm of uncertainty sapped the fun out of KU’s 1988 National Championship.

In November of 1988 KU was hit with NCAA sanctions that prohibited its participation in the 1989 NCAA tournament, making KU the first NCAA basketball champion that would be barred from defending its title.

With those memories still haunting the minds of many long time Jayhawks, the brief period of uncertainty following the 2008 national title must have felt like Déjà vu. One Coach Self re-committed himself fully to Lawrence, the cloud was lifted and the fans were able to relish in victory like never before.

The departure of all but one major contributor (Junior guard Sherron Collins) from last year’s squad has given Coach Self’s Jayhawks a full-scale honeymoon period. Every stumble along the path, every tough loss, every poor performance will be answered with the same replies from KU’s faithful. “We got our title, these kids are just starting.” “Wait till these guys are juniors like Mario”. It just doesn’t matter. The banner hangs high, the pride soars to the rafters, but the expectations have never been lower. For one year anyway.