Basketball is the talk of the town right now with the run by the Barton men’s basketball team. It sure has been a fun ride the Cougars and Coach Craig Fletchall have taken us on so far.
But the NCAA tournament is also still very much on the front burner with Kansas and Kansas State still playing in the Sweet 16.
Just to be clear on things, I did cheer for K-State to beat UMBC. I was glad UMBC beat Virginia but by the time Sunday came around, I was tired of the whole thing. I wouldn’t put myself in the EMAW crowd by any means, but I did cheer for them as I will when they play Kentucky.
Sorry, Roger Ward, I’ll cheer for the Kentucky baseball team but just can’t do it for basketball.
As far as my Jayhawks, I think they have just as good a chance as anyone to reach the Final Four. Duke is a pain in the you-know-what, but I think Kansas has a legit shot at getting by them. Time will tell. Maybe Syracuse will beat Duke. Well, that might not be good either because if Syracuse would make the Final Four I would never hear the end of it from Coach Fletchall.
One thing I wanted to correct some of the national media on, though, was something I saw about the Sweet 16 and football.
It was stated that three schools don’t play FBS football – the big boys bowl sub-division. Those schools were Villanova, Gonzaga, and Loyola. Somebody forgot to tell them KU also does not play FBS football.

Former Athlete/Coach update
It was a sad week for the Barton athletic family. Former Cougar basketball player Duane Brunson lost his life early Sunday morning. Brunson played for Barton from 2010-12, earning All Region VI honors his sophomore year in 2012.
He went to play at Fort Hays State qwith good success. Brunson, 27, was shot outside Dueces in Wichita early Sunday morning and later died at the hospital. He leaves behind his girlfriend, their child, and the child he adopted.
Rest in peace Duane.

And Finally
It’s been a fun week watching Coach Fletchall have his moment in the spotlight. After 18 years of coaching at the NJCAA level he finally got to take a team to the NJCAA National Tournament in his hometown of Hutchinson. The Cougars have responded by winning their first two games.
But, for me, the fun has been sitting next to him at the press table for his ride. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am happy for this team. It’s a great group of kids. But I’ve know Fletch for about 15 years – even before he came to Barton.
So to watch him have this moment has been special. Someone even left Fletch yearbook photos of him in high school back when he had hair. Wow, just wow.
Getting to the tournament, getting a win and then upsetting the top team in the nation. Good stuff.
I’ve done my part to help him during the games. Up by 15 points in the second half against Tyler he kept saying, ‘we can’t trade baskets with them.’ I informed him that was okay, if they traded basket he would win.
That almost drew a smile.
Heading into overtime against Indian Hills, I just looked at him said ‘Isn’t this fun?’. He didn’t agree.
But perhaps the coolest thing for Fletch has been getting a shake named after him. Bogeys of Hutchinson decided he needed a shake named after him. So, they did.
It’s a scoop of puppy chow mix at the bottom of a Snickers shake. It’s called the ‘Underdog Shake’.
You know you’ve made it when you have a shake named after you.

Mike Marzolf is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune and his views don’t necessarily reflect those of the paper. He can be reached at MarzolfM@bartonccc.edu.