University of Kansas

Watch: Talking Kansas Jayhawks, and the greatest comeback in NCAA title-game history

This wasn’t Bill Self’s greatest team. It won’t produce the most NBA players. But few in Kansas Jayhawks history will be more memorable.

KU defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 72-69 to win the program’s fourth NCAA championship on Monday night at the Superdome in New Orleans.

They did it the hard way, too, trailing by 16 points late in the first half and 15 at halftime. Neither of those deficits had ever been overcome in a title game. Until Monday.

In this episode of the SportsBeat KC Live stream, The Star’s New Orleans coverage team of beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell explain how it happened ... and what it means for Self and the Jayhawks.

Story links:

Why this KU Jayhawks title represents the best work of Bill Self’s career at Kansas

How Bill Self’s words — from a year ago — spurred Kansas Jayhawks to NCAA championship

Historic Hawks! Kansas sets two NCAA Tournament comeback records in winning title

Jayhawks fans: Relive Kansas’ national championship season with our collector’s book

KU fans overjoyed with Jayhawks’ national title victory over North Carolina Tar Heels

This story was originally published April 4, 2022 at 9:20 PM.

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
Sports Pass is your ticket to Kansas City sports
#ReadLocal

Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Kansas City area sports - only $1 a month

VIEW OFFER