Weary Cinderella

Her feet have blisters. She has gone through a half-dozen dresses. She has smiled so often she has lines on the sides of her mouth.

Cinderella needs some Windex for her glass slippers. Last night, she had to wear them again.

When the Kansas basketball team--a team which had lost 11 games--defeated Oklahoma, 83-79, last night in Kansas City, Cinderella had to go through the motions once more.

And, like in the fairy tale, Cinderella got her prince in the end, or at least his crown. Last night, Kansas dragged its sad record into the NCAA final and won. Last night, Kansas became the losingest team ever to win an NCAA Championship.

Last night, Kansas became Super Cinderella.

Last night, Cinderella was back at the ball. She has been there so often she has the phone numbers of 10 princes, nine dukes, eight grand dukes, seven archdukes, six counts and a handful of presidential candidates. She has dated Michael J. Fox, married Johnny Carson (and settled for a million a year in the divorce agreement), been pursued by Slyvester Stallone.

The banners hung above Kemper Arena. One for North Carolina State--an upset winner over Houston in the 1983 championship game. One for Villanova--an upset winner over Georgetown in 1985. One for Louisville--an upset winner over Duke in 1986. One for Indiana...

In the two previous meetings between Kansas and Oklahoma, Oklahoma won both games by eight points.

Last night, Kansas center Danny Manning became Dan the Man. He poured in 31 points and had 18 rebounds. He sank two foul shots with five seconds left in the game to clinch the victory.

The first of his foul shots hit the front of the rim, hit the back of the rim and then rolled in. Cinderella twirled once more around the dance floor, wondering when she would get a break to go out on the balcony and smoke a cigarette.

Reservations on Cinderella's dance card are booked years in advance these days. North Carolina State delighted in '83. Villanova thrilled in '85. Louisville engrossed in '86. By the time Kansas lined up for a spin around the dance floor last night, Cinderella was dreaming about the good old days when she used to clean fire places for a living.

Oklahoma entered last night's game as a nine-point favorite. The Sooners left wondering why they always get stuck in this fairy tale. In January, the Oklahoma football team--ranked number one in the nation--fell to Miami in the Orange Bowl and lost the national championship.

Last night, Oklahoma was hoping for a crueler, but fairer script. Something like, say, "Rambo."

But last night it was the Jayhawks who shot to kill.