Kansas erased a 16-point second-half deficit to defeat North Carolina 72-69 in the 2022 NCAA Championship — the largest comeback in title game history.
The Comeback
April 4, 2022, New Orleans: Kansas trailed North Carolina 40-25 at halftime. Down 15. UNC looked dominant. Kansas looked defeated.
Second half: Kansas went on 31-10 run. Tied game with 10 minutes left. Back-and-forth battle. David McCormack putback layup with 1:21 left gave Kansas 70-69 lead. They held on for 72-69 victory.
Largest halftime comeback in championship game history. Bill Self’s second title (2008 previous).
March Madness Magic
Kansas’s tournament run:
- Beat Texas Southern, Creighton, Providence, Miami (Elite Eight)
- Beat Villanova in Final Four (gutsy performance)
- Overcame 16-point deficit in final vs. UNC
Ochai Agbaji (Final Four MOP). Christian Braun. Jalen Wilson. McCormack. Remy Martin. Balanced attack.
Historic Drought
Kansas last won championship in 2008 (14 years). Despite being blueblood program (Kansas, Duke, UNC, Kentucky), hadn’t won since Mario Chalmers’s clutch shot vs. Memphis (2008).
Self had lost national championship game twice since 2008. Pressure mounting. Down 16 at half, looked like another disappointment.
The Celebration
Kansas fans stormed Bourbon Street. Lawrence, Kansas erupted. “Rock Chalk Jayhawk” chants echoed through Superdome.
Bill Self: “I told them at halftime, ‘We’re going to win this game.’” Team believed. Executed. Won.
Largest comeback. Sweetest victory. Never give up.
Source: NCAA.com