The Jayhawks beat the Tar Heels in a wild matchup that featured three overtime games, one of which ended with UNC shooting two free throws at the buzzer. The victory was remarkable for several reasons: not only did it end KU’s five-game losing streak against North Carolina, but also because Kansas won its first ever title since 1952 and had never previously made it to the national championship game. How will this loss affect both teams going forward? What’s next for each squad?
The “2022 kansas jayhawks basketball roster” is a list of the players on the upcoming Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team. The roster includes names, positions, and height/weight.
A new national champion has been crowned in men’s college basketball. The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 72-69 in the national championship game in New Orleans on Monday night. It was the school’s fourth national victory and second under head coach Bill Self, who previously guided KU to the title in 2008. Kansas created history by overturning the greatest halftime deficit ever faced by a national champion, trailing 40-25 at halftime before exploding out of the locker room with an 18-6 run that put an end to any hopes of a Tar Heels comeback. The previous most halftime deficit for a champion was 11, set by the Duke Blue Devils in 2001 and the Temple Owls in 1958.
With Kansas taking down the nets to end the 2021-22 season, ESPN’s Myron Medcalf, Jeff Borzello, John Gasaway, and Joe Lunardi reflected on the historic national championship game, including what went well for Kansas and what went wrong for North Carolina in the second half. The ESPN foursome also discussed the significance of Kansas’ victory, as well as the last five months of college basketball, and looked forward to the personnel the Jayhawks and Tar Heels will have in 2022-23.
What was the most important factor in Kansas’ victory against North Carolina?
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North Carolina and Kansas teamed together to produce one of the most exciting national championship games in recent memory. After trailing by 15 points at halftime, Kansas led 63-61 with five minutes remaining. North Carolina’s offensive firepower and defensive pressure had given them a lead at halftime, but Kansas’ offensive efficiency allowed them comeback and regain the lead in the second half. Kansas’ 10-minute run to open the second half, during which it outscored North Carolina 31-10, kept the Tar Heels in the game until the finish. However, both sides had a chance in the last minutes.
Kansas won this game by doing to North Carolina what it did to Texas Southern, Providence, and Miami in the NCAA tournament during one of its spectacular game-changing runs. In the second half, it was a different squad. Early in the game, Leaky Black picked up his fourth foul, relieving pressure on Ochai Agbaji, who had been harassed by the North Carolina winger. After the break, Jalen Wilson went hot, and the Jayhawks found the same gear they did in the second half of their Elite Eight game against the Hurricanes, when they outscored them 45-17.
North Carolina was showing signs of exhaustion as Kansas surged. Armando Bacot was hobbling early in the second half after turning his ankle in his team’s triumph against Duke. The Tar Heels were weary of chasing Kansas players off screens and tussling on the block with David McCormack, whose game-winning three-pointer over Brady Manek in the dying seconds gave Kansas a crucial three-point advantage.
In the second half, Kansas made 58 percent of their shots, while UNC made just 28 percent. Kansas was able to raise to a level that no opponent could equal in the playoffs, and the Tar Heels suffered the same fate.
So KU pressed the button once again, joining Loyola Chicago in 1962-63 as the only teams to come back from 15-point deficits in national championship games to win, securing Bill Self’s second national title. Medcalf —
Was this a classic Kansas comeback or a classic North Carolina meltdown?
It has to be the former. As terrible as the Jayhawks were after their 7-0 start, they utilized every tool at their disposal to turn the game around in the second half. And it’s not like North Carolina just handed it up. That is not the case. After falling down late, the Tar Heels produced several huge plays of their own, only to run out of time — and players — in the final minutes.
Kansas won the game twice in a fashion. A weaker opponent may have been decimated by the quick start, and the second half turnaround was championship class in every way. It was an incredible comeback and a fitting finale to one of the most memorable NCAA tournaments in history.
Both sides are deserving of recognition. Lunardi’s words
What historical significance does this game have for Kansas and Bill Self?
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Under Bill Self, the Kansas Jayhawks have had a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament nine times (ten if we consider the canceled 2020 tournament) — about half of his career in Lawrence. They had only ever won the championship game once before. Even Self admits that more prizes should have been awarded.
The Jayhawks achieved something the Braves never could: they won their fourth national title, a signature second for their coach, and converted all of those unfulfilled No. 1 seeds into happy accidents on Monday night.
Winning is the panacea for all ills. One championship might be a fluke, but two establishes a reputation. Even if Bill Self never wins another game, he’ll be remembered. Lunardi’s words
Which of these clubs is better prepared for the next season? Can Kansas win consecutive games for the first time since Florida in 2006-07?
The NBA draft and the transfer portal clearly play a big role. However, I believe Kansas is in somewhat better situation right now. And, considering that Kansas is rated No. 4 in my Way-Too-Early Top 25 and North Carolina is ranked No. 5, I don’t believe there is a significant separation. While Kansas is likely to lose McCormack, Agbaji, Christian Braun, Remy Martin, Mitch Lightfoot, and Jalen Coleman-Lands, Bill Self is anticipated to retain two starters in Dajuan Harris Jr. and Wilson from last season’s squad. The actual reason for excitement is the upcoming recruiting class, which includes three five-star talents. Gradey Dick had one of the best senior seasons of any player in the 2022 class, while MJ Rice is physically prepared for college basketball and Ernest Udeh will provide inside support. I also believe the Jayhawks will seek assistance from the portal, particularly up front.
Meanwhile, if Bacot, Caleb Love, and R.J. Davis all return to Chapel Hill, North Carolina might be in the top five. Is that a reasonable assumption? Most likely not. Before the NCAA tournament, Bacot could have been on his way out, and Love’s Kemba Walker imitation this month has placed him in line to leave for the NBA as well. Black has a super-senior season that he can employ, but it’s currently unknown. So Hubert Davis’ future is a lot more up in the air next season. Davis will need something from his newcomers, Seth Trimble and Jalen Washington, who are both top-50 prospects. The size of their first involvement will be influenced on whether or not the existing stars remain. Borzello’s words
What do you think will be the most memorable part of the collegiate basketball season in 2021-22? What will be remembered about it?
We’ll recall that this was a welcome return to normalcy, and that the season came to a close with a great run by No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s and a thrilling Final Four replete with bluebloods. The crowd returned, and we’ll overlook the fact that several games were postponed or even canceled in hindsight.
But it wasn’t until March that things really started to get up. The Peacocks of Shaheen Holloway made history by defeating Kentucky and becoming the first No. 15 seed to get to the Elite Eight. As a No. 8 seed, North Carolina had their own incredible run. In a national semifinal in the Superdome, the Tar Heels put an end to Mike Krzyzewski’s career, writing an unforgettable chapter in that famous rivalry.
We’ll remember Kansas most for coming back from a 15-point halftime hole to win the championship. Among the historic names in New Orleans, the Jayhawks were the lone No. 1 seed, and they did all they could to write their name in history once again. — Mr. Gasaway
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the national championship 2022 basketball being played?
A: The 2022 national championship will be held in New York at Madison Square Garden.
How many national championships has Kansas won?
A: Kansas is a state in the United States. They have won two national championships, one of which was in football and the other basketball.
Has Kansas ever won March Madness?
A: Yes, Kansas has won the NCAA Mens Division I Basketball Championship in 1995 and 2008.
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