There has been no senior class at Kansas in the history of the school that has not been admired and loved by our fans. A senior class without a star has roots imbedded just as deeply in our hearts as one with a Danny Manning or a Raef LaFrentz or Jacque Vaughn. They are our family whether they score 20 points or 1, and today was no different.

We said farewell to our elders today in the best way imaginable for any Kansas fan -- a win over our bitterest rivals, the Evil Empire of Mizzou. In the minds of the Jayhawk faithful, it is no coincidence that MU wears black on the road. The cheap shots and lean-ins and jersey-grabbing are never forgotten from year to year. Be it Norm or Quinn, it is no different. Kansas fans would rather lose to anyone than lose to Missouri.

But, today, who would be the Senior to step up and make his final statement, atoning for the 22-point embarrassment in Columbia? Who would blot the ink dry in the pages of Kansas Tradition with the game of his life? Terry Nooner, the eternally smiling one who wears a Kansas uniform at great personal sacrifice simply because it means that much to him? Lester Earl, whose career here began with such high expectations and which has limped through knee rehab, NCAA investigations and questionable judgement? Or Ashante Johnson, who was here so briefly yet after enduring a lost season with his own knee injury finally managed to establish himself in a starter's role? Perhaps Nick Bradford, former Arkansas Player of the Year and while never a dominating scorer, has always been a man who could make things happen on the floor?

It is not ironic that the day, Senior Day, became Freshman Day. This was the day we said goodbye to our Seniors but we also welcomed our Freshmen to the Future -- on a day when black-uniformed Missouri believed they could ruin the celebration and end our beloved Seniors' career with a loss, it was the Freshmen who delivered.

We said goodbye to Nick and Ashante, Lester and Terry; but how many hearts in Allen Fieldhouse were not racing with excitement when Drew Gooden took over the game in the second half and scored 20 points, 13 rebounds? Was the statement of Kirk Hinrich lost on the crowd when he blocked the shot of Keeyon Dooling, he who believed he had the measure of the Kansas guards?

This team, criticized for so long this season for lack of heart, gave all of itself today. In the end, it was not so much about the Seniors who are leaving nor about the Freshmen we will welcome back as Sophomores next year. Today, this game was about the Team. It was about taking on the combative personality of their coach. About heart and grit, about never again backing down. The defining play to me was not a dunk or a three-pointer or a nice pass. The defining play, the one that sent the definitive message, was the flinty look in Drew Gooden's eye when he confronted Jeff Hafer in defense of his own teammate. It was the fire in Drew's eyes as he urged the Allen Fieldhouse crowd to stand just one more time and give just as much of their energy as the team was giving.

That look and fire typifies what this team has become. They are no longer average, they have finally discovered that reservoir of courage that defines a winner. Pass the baton, Seniors. The Freshmen are ready and able. And the team is finally, after so long, a team.

(Back to Voice of the Fan.)