KU, K-State fans step out for back-to-back Big XII Tournament games

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The block between the T-Mobile Center and KC Live! has been abuzz all week. As kids in tiny team cheerleader outfits were trying to make baskets in Pop-A-Shot machines, adults were getting aggressive in one-on-one battles on the blacktop.

The odds were stacked against Kansas State. They’d have to win four more to get a spot in the NCAA with a Big 12 title.

University of St. Mary sophomore and basketball player Kreyton Bauerle wore his KSU colors alongside two freshman teammates in Jayhawk gear. He declined an invitation to trash talk his friends’ team, but they accepted.

“I mean, I’m just saying, K-State has no championships, so I give him crap all the time for that,” said Sam Schmidt.

“I’m really hoping K State gets lucky enough to play KU, so KU can just beat them,” continued Caden Register.

They’d have to win more than once to make it to a head-to-head competition on Friday.

“I like our chances,” Bauerly said. “We’re gonna win against Baylor and we’re gonna continue to win.”

Ultimately, they lost their battle with Baylor.

Kansas fans had the luxury of backing a typically winning team. The Jayhawks entered the competition as the No. 6 seed in the conference. That would be good for a lot of teams. But with their long history of being top-level, a No. 6 seed felt like an obstacle to overcome.

“It’s been rough,” said Dan Pfannenstiel. “Sometimes I have to cry because usually we’re always in a top session of everything.”

He hoped to see a sea change by night’s end. As did another fan who drove down from Nebraska.

“I’m very optimistic for this tournament,” he said. “It’s been somewhat of a disappointing season.”

Amanda Weinbeck — who came from Topeka with her boyfriend, both decked out in glitter and rhinestones — used a mental time machine technique to keep her spirits high.

“Just think of it as a new season starts today,” Weinbeck said. “We got this. Rock Chalk.”

The best enthusiasm of the day may have come from two women who’ve been best buds since junior high school.

“We’ve been friends for 47 years,” said Janelle Dolen.

She lives in Sedgwick, Kansas, where they grew up. Her bestie, Jody Feuerborn, now lives in Shawnee.

Feuerborn went to KU. Dolen went to KSU for her freshman year. She wanted to transfer to KU but her dad said no.

“She saw the light,” Feuerborn joked.

Feuerborn has the kind of laugh where she throws her head back to get the most out of it. Dolen immediately joins in. Then they give each other a high-five.

It’s their fourth Big XII Championship together, but they meet up routinely at Allen Fieldhouse. Feuerborn has been a season ticket holder for more than 30 years. In all that time, she knows there are good years and not so good years. They’re just here for the cheers.

“We will be screaming the loudest for KU. I guarantee you,” said Feuerborn.

“I agree,” Dolan echoed.

“We’ll be hoarse,” Feuerborn continued. “That’s our goal.”

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