Down 40-25 at the half, it seemed as if all hope was lost for the University of Kansas Jayhawks in the National Championship game on Saturday. But this is March. And March is madness.
The comeback started immediately out of the gate in the second half. Kansas came out guns-a-blazin’, and tied the game just under halfway through the period, outscoring the University of North Carolina 25-10.
The Tarheels didn’t just lay down and die however, remaining in the game the whole way to the end. With 22 seconds left, Kansas led 70-69 before David McCormack made a jump shot and brought the lead to three. North Carolina got chance after chance in the final few seconds, but could not connect.
Kansas’ Dajuan Harris, Jr. turned the ball over with under two seconds remaining and North Carolina would have one last heave to tie it. The ball seemingly hung in the air forever, but only grazed the side of the rim on the way down as the buzzer sounded. With that final buzzer, Kansas cut down the nets for the first time since 2008, their fourth National Championship. The Jayhawks also pulled off the largest comeback in National Championship history, overcoming a 16-point deficit!
Senior forward David McCormack led the way for the Jayhawks scoring 15 points and securing 10 rebounds for a double-double. Sophomore forward Jalen Wilson pitched in 15 points as well. Junior guard Christian Braun posted a second double-double in the game with 12 points and 12 rebounds while senior guard Remy Martin put up 14 points off the bench.
North Carolina only played seven players the whole game, but three of them posted double doubles. Junior forward Armando Bacot had 15 points and rebounds, senior forward Brady Manek compiled 13 points and rebounds, and sophomore guard R.J. Davis netted 15 points and 12 rebounds. The difference in the game: shooting. Kansas outshot North Carolina 43% to 31%, making it possible for the comeback to be completed. The Tarheels easily out-rebounded Kansas, however, 55-35.
Kansas was a one-seed, and was viewed as a favorite to win; but North Carolina was an eight-seed – not seen as likely to be in the championship game, let alone win it all. One of the many underdogs to make it far in the tournament, they took down the Cinderella story of this year’s tournament, 15- seed St. Peter’s University out of Jersey City. North Carolina tamed one-seeded, defending champ Baylor en route to their final appearance.
Each team, and many others seeded both high and low, put together tournament runs to be remembered. Until next year, put the brackets to rest – the time to obsess has concluded.
But not for long.
