Rock Chalk and ranch dressing: Johnny’s West Lawrence preps for Jayhawks’ NCAA Tournament opener

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - Conversations were little more than a hum at Johnny’s West on Wakarusa Drive Thursday night. The squeak of sneakers on the basketball court prevented any eavesdropping. But Sebastian Aguilar came in loud and clear when he heard the topic of KU basketball come up.

“Let’s go Hawks,” he shouted. “We’re gonna win the natty. All the way, right?”

The first-time dad is training 14-month-old Leo in Kansas fandom and sees his son as a sign of good things to come.

“This one’s my good luck charm,” Aguilar said. “So, we’ll hopefully bring it home.”

It was plenty busy at the college town tavern for the start of March Madness, but the real madness will come when No. 4 seed KU hits the court at 8:45 p.m. Friday to take on No. 13 seed California Baptist.

Assistant general manager Faith Hurst and her staff spent the morning preparing for a full house. Hurst knows well what to expect.

“We get packed,” she said. “It is crazy in here. It’s wild. Everyone goes insane for the games.”

They’ve been stocking glassware, beer and their hottest bar food items. They have five kegs of Free State Blue Collar Lager on hand. They whipped up gallons of their homemade ranch dressing – an essential pairing with wings, pickle chips and even fries. Nearly every neon sign on the wall features a Jayhawk.

“The best part at Johnny’s is Kansas Basketball, obviously. One of the greatest basketball schools around,” Hurst said. “The worst part is controlling every single TV in here. There are so many.”

Rick Welton was watching one of the TVs. He rolled up his sleeve to show a Jayhawk tattoo on his right arm. He got it when he turned 18.

“That is a fandom you cannot take back,” Welton said. “Since I can remember, I’ve been a Jayhawk through and through.”

Kansas won the championship in 2022 but hasn’t made it past the second round since. The Jayhawks didn’t survive the first round in 2025. They enter this tournament 23-and-10.

“Usually, the Jayhawks lost some games early on then get their feet under them,” Welton said. “This year has been a little different. It doesn’t seem that they have their feet under them just yet, but I’m hopeful they’re going to turn it on starting tomorrow.”

It’s been a season that leaves Aguilar with doubts.

“I’ve been telling people I don’t know what KU we’re going to get,” he said. “I am nervous. I can say that.”

But with Leo at his side, Aguilar didn’t stay nervous for long.

“I am confident,” he said. “This is our year. We’re going to do it.”