Kansas triumphs – there has never been a comeback like this in a final
Made it: The Kansas City Jayhawks win the college title final against North Carolina. It didn’t look like it at half-time
Which: AFP/JAMIE SQUIRE
In 2020, the Kansas Jayhawks were the big favorites for the college basketball title. But the final tournament fell victim to the corona pandemic. Two years later, the team is crowned champion. Kansas is making a historic comeback.
WWhilst his players celebrated what was probably the greatest success of their careers, Bill Self made his way to the stands. The Kansas Jayhawks coach went to the former Kansas players who had supported their university from the ranks: Drew Gooden, Paul Pierce, Mario Chalmers, all of whom later made the jump to the NBA. Coach Self hugged them all. Also Devon Dotson.
Two years ago, Dotson was a point guard and top scorer for the Kansas team, which was considered a heavy favorite to win the college basketball title. But the outbreak of the corona pandemic meant that the championship was not played for the first time since 1939. Dotson and his teammates had been robbed of their big chance.
Coach Self therefore put on his former player one of the championship hats that he and his players had received a few minutes earlier for winning the title. A small gesture with a big meaning. “For me, that was also a partial success for the 2020 team,” the Kansas coach later explained. “I always thought the 2020 team had a better chance of doing well in the final tournament.”
But Self was taught otherwise. 14 years after their last title to date, his Kansas University finally won the college title. The favored Jayhakws defeated the University of North Carolina 72:69 in the final in New Orleans. In doing so, Kansas provided a historical presentation.
Biggest comeback in Finals history
The outsider from North Carolina started the game furiously after the dramatic victory over arch-rival Duke in the semifinals. Especially shortly before the break, the Tar Heels played themselves into a frenzy and went into the dressing room with a 40:25. But in the second half it was the Jayhawks’ hour.
Led by David McCormack (15 points, 10 rebounds), Jalen Wilson (15) and Remy Martin (14), Kansas quickly caught up from a gap of 16 points at one point. In the final minutes, the almost 70,000 spectators saw a gripping exchange of blows; With 1:21 left, it was McCormack who gave Kansas a 70-69 lead.
A minute later, the center also made the final score, crowning the biggest comeback in a final for the American college championship, as US media reported. “Today we obviously had big problems in the first half,” analyzed Kansas coach Self, who won his second title. “But the boys gave everything.”
Trophy secured: Kansas Jayhawks winger Ochai Agbaji cuts ring net after win over North Carolina
Source: AFP / TOM PENNINGTON
From Dotson’s team, who lost their title chance two years ago, there were still seven players in the Jayhawks roster. One of them was Ochai Agbaji. “This is a special group of guys,” said the winger, who was voted the finals’ best player. “We’re going down in history.”
