Mario Chalmers, hero of KU’s 2008 title, ‘even more happy’ about this Jayhawks championship
Mario Chalmers, the hero of Kansas’ comeback victory over Memphis in the 2008 NCAA championship game, watched from the Caesars Superdome stands Monday as KU rallied from 16 points down to defeat North Carolina, 72-69, for the 2022 title.
“I’m even more happy,” Chalmers said of KU winning the school’s fourth NCAA men’s basketball title Monday, compared to 14 years ago when his three-pointer capped a nine-point comeback in the last 2:12 and forced overtime in KU’s 75-68 victory over Memphis in San Antonio.
“It’s been a long time since ’08. I know these guys put in a lot of work to get here. Coach (Bill) Self put in a lot of work to get here. I’m happy for the whole program,” the 35-year-old Chalmers added.
The Jayhawks trailed UNC by as many as 16 points in the first half and by 15, 40-25, at the break. KU pulled off the largest comeback victory in title game history. Loyola Chicago trailed Cincinnati by 15 points in a 60-58 overtime win in 1963.
KU also had the biggest comeback from a halftime deficit in title game history. Kentucky trailed Utah by 10 at the break in a 78-69 victory in 1998.
“That’s KU,” Chalmers said of comeback victories. “We came back (in ‘08) so they had to come back. It’s the only way. That’s how we win our championships. We always come back when we are down.”
Chalmers said he never doubted the Jayhawks would rally.
“I had faith. I know what it takes to get there and get to the final and be able to win,” Chalmers said. “I was just happy they were able to pull it out. It was determination. They believed. They came out on fire the second half. They stuck to Coach’s game plan and were able to come back.”
KU coach Bill Self, whose two KU national title teams both pulled off comeback victories en route to the title trophy, said he doesn’t expect a catchy nickname, such as “Mario’s Miracle,” to be tied to Monday’s game.
“With Rio, he made the shot, and it was Mario’s miracle, and it stuck, but Darrell Arthur was actually the best player in that game,” Self said. “But Mario gets all the credit, which he deserves for making the shot, I think all seven of these guys (Monday) would be totally content after being around them all year long this is the ‘2022 miracle.’ I think they’ll enjoy it more not having a name attached to it because that’s how we played all year long.”
Another former Jayhawk player watched with great interest as KU claimed the national title.
Devon Dotson, who played on the 2019-20 KU team that was expected to be the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAAs (a tourney called off because of COVID-19), not only attended Monday’s game but visited the winner’s locker room after the contest.
“We did,” Dotson said, asked if the Jayhawks of 2022 avenged what happened in 2020. “I am so excited. I’ve been excited all week, all month. This is great to see.”
Like Chamers, Dotson said he knew No. 1 seed KU would eventually overcome No. 8 seed UNC.
“I was never doubting,” Dotson, who plays in the NBA G League, said. “The first half was a little shaky. I know coach Self. He had a game plan. He got the guys motivated.”
Dotson said the first two Jayhawks he congratulated in the locker room were Ochai Agbaji and David McCormack. Agbaji, who scored 12 points, was named most outstanding player of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. McCormack, who scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds — his basket with 1:19 left gave KU a 70-69 lead and hoop with :23 left made it 72-69 — Made the all-NCAA Tournament team.
“I came in with them, that’s my (recruiting) class, my guys,” Dotson said. “It’s great. ‘O’ is different. Coming in, seeing him grow into the guy he is now is great.”
Dotson said that like Chalmers, he knew the Jayhawks would fight back when down 16 in the first half.
“Dave being a senior … ‘O’ leads them. I know the fight ‘O’ has every day in practice. You see it. At halftime it was going to change. I was telling the fans out there, ‘We’re good. We’re good.’ I let them know (KU would still win),” Dotson added.
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 1:49 AM.
