With the whole world watching, Mario Chalmers nailed a game-tying three pointer, and Coach Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks came through in the clutch to claim their first title in 20 years.
The Jayhawks took a halftime lead and did not panic when they were down late in the game. Kansas climbed back into it with execution and playmaking, and Memphis struggled with missed free throws late in the game.
The Tigers had opportunities to close out the game but missed baskets and failed free throw attempts ultimately did them in.
Memphis missing four out of their last five free throws and a no-call on a potential foul allowed the Jayhawks to tie the game and gave them the momentum heading into overtime.
Kansas took advantage of the Tigers’ cold shooting and outscored their opponent 12-5 in the extra period.
With two first-round losses in the past four NCAA tournaments, the Jayhawks have been known in the past to come up short when playing the favorites. But now head coach Bill Self can breathe a sigh of relief.
The only question now is whether Bill Self will stay at Kansas.
Self has reportedly been offered the head-coaching job at his alma mater, Oklahoma State. The deal is expected to be worth $3 million a year with a $6 million signing bonus. That salary would be a step up from the $1.3 million has makes annually.
Things just keep looking up for Self and his coaching staff...let them enjoy the championship first and then talk coaching moves once all this sinks in.
Self, of course, has said he wants to stay at Kansas, but we've all heard that before.
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