Kansas Jayhawks Stun UNC After Largest Comeback Ever in a Championship Game

The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels in a final score of 72-69 to win the 2022 NCAA men’s basketball national championship. Kansas was down by 15 points at halftime but managed to bounce back, making this the largest comeback ever in a championship game. The Jayhawks captured their first NCAA tournament title since 2008.

Bill Self’s Selfless Moment

After becoming the first Kansas men’s basketball coach to win a second NCAA national championship, head coach Bill Self was on top of the world. Self quickly found Devon Dotson in the stands and handed him a national championship hat. Dotson was the star point guard for the 2019-20 KU team that had an extremely good chance of winning a championship between the pandemic canceled the remainder of their season. That year, the Jayhawks finished in the AP Top-25 poll with 63 out of 65 first-place votes. They were on a 16-game winning streak before the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled.

Self gave Dotson the hat and told him that it should be his as well.

Self called this win a 2022 miracle.

Kansas Jayhawks’ Ochai Agbaji Named MOP

Ochai Agbaji was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Agbaji played 37 minutes in the championship game against North Carolina, scoring 12 points and adding three rebounds, and one assist. In the semifinal game against Villanova, Agbaji posted 21 points, two rebounds, and one assist.

A very emotional Ochai Agbaji hugged his family after winning the National Championship. They hugged him and said “You’re a Champion.” Tears man. @youngoch pic.twitter.com/OcctnD7772

— Mitchel Summers (@WIBWMitchel) April 5, 2022

After winning MOP, Agbaji mentioned that his teammate, David McCormack should have received that title.

McCormack had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the championship game. Jalen Wilson added 15 points, and Christian Braun matched Agbaji’s 12 points. Remy Martin came off the bench strong with 14 points and went 4-of-6 shooting from deep.

McCormack scored the last two baskets for the Jayhawks.

Highlighting a Few Tar Heels

The North Carolina team never gave in. With three players earning double-doubles, their energy was never shaken. Armando Bacot paced the Tar Heels with 15 points and 15 rebounds, before leaving late in the game with an injury. R.J. Davis put up 15 points and 12 rebounds and Brady Manek added 13 points and 13 rebounds.

North Carolina Head Coach Hubert Davis spoke about his thoughts on his team in that game and over the whole season.

Kansas Jayhawks Add Another Banner

This victory gives Kansas their fourth national championship in program history.