It nestled comfortably in the big, soft hands of Kansas' DannyManning, who was the Manning of the hour, the Manning of the moment,the Manning of the year.
On the Jayhawk bench, assistant coach Ed Manning, Danny'sfather, jumped higher than he ever had during his days as a player inthe old ABA or the NBA.
The elder Manning, who later would brush away the tears of joy,hugged coach Larry Brown. They were soon joined by everyone in thegeneral vicinity.
It was over.
Kansas, a team that two months ago was in disarray with hopesthat had seemingly gone thataway, had done the impossible.
The Jayhawks, joining the ranks of upset winners Villanova in'85 and North Carolina State in '83, had slain the loud-mouthedbully, beating back their Big Eight tormentors from Oklahoma 83-79 towin their second NCAA championship.
"I felt all day long that the kids would play a great game," EdManning said as he stood before the platform where the Kansas Citykings were about to be coronated. "I'm overjoyed for every kid onthis team, not just Danny.
"I don't know what Danny did with that last rebound, but I hopehe kept it. I wouldn't trade anything in the world for this game."
Neither would his son, who had just put together what was thebest all-around title game since UCLA's Bill Walton's 44-pointextravaganza in 1973 vs. Memphis State.
Manning had 31 points, 18 rebounds, five steals and two blockedshots, a performance that hardly made the Sooners the better for it.
But Manning, as is his wont, wouldn't put himself above thecrowd, even if he plays there.
Like his delirious teammates, he donned a T-shirt with a messageon the back that read, "The Hawks spread their wings, as the fat ladysings."
"This night is well-deserved for everyone on this entire team,"said Manning, who dedicated much of his season to injured teammateArchie Marshall. "This wasn't a gift and this wasn't luck.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity."
Indeed, there was no luck involved.
The Jayhawks are superbly coached by Brown, a man who only twodays ago came up with the most interesting revelation of thetournament.
"I have never allowed myself to enjoy anything," Brown said."Since the middle of January, since that Kansas State game that welost to break our (home) winning streak, it's the first time in mylife I've ever really enjoyed everything that has happened sincethat."
Imagine that.
Imagine going through 47 years of life on this planet in thepursuit of happiness and never once allowing yourself the luxury ofkicking back long enough to savor the good times.
But those words told us all something about Brown, who's come tobe recognized as America's coaching guest, a perpetual wanderer whowould never buy a house when he could pitch a tent.
And after Oklahoma had taken a 65-60 lead with 12 minutes toplay, Brown used the very same words he'd been using since theopening tip - that if they could stay close until the final fiveminutes, they could win because the Sooners had never been therebefore.
"I lied," Brown said. "That was just wishful thinking on mypart. I know Oklahoma has been there before."
But even on this night, Brown couldn't escape his reputation ascoaching's jumping jack flash.
"What are your coaching plans now?" he was asked.
"I'm part of a national champion," Brown said. "That's just notfair."
He was right.
He didn't deserve that, but Sooner coach Billy Tubbs, a wise guyto the end, deserved what he got.
It was Sunday when Tubbs was asked if he thought God was onKansas' side.
"What's his number?" Tubbs answered.
It's 25, Billy.
The name is Danny Manning.
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