NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kansas finished off the biggest comeback in national championship history Monday night, getting a big game from David McCormack, crucial shots from Remy Martin and surviving a potential game-tying 3-pointer by Caleb Love at the buzzer for a 72-69 victory over North Carolina in the Superdome. The senior-laden Jayhawks trailed 40-25 at halftime before rallying to win their fourth national championship, and the second for coach Bill Self, on the same floor where they lost to Kentucky in the national title game a decade ago.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Great Kansas Comeback is about more than just one scintillating, stifling 20-minute stretch of Jayhawks basketball. The championship KU captured Monday night had roots back in 2020, when the Jayhawks were a team that looked headed for the program’s fourth national title. Instead, it was KU’s come-from-behind 72-69 victory over North Carolina on Monday that brought that fourth championship banner back to Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks insisted they’d share it with the 2020 team, too.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bill Self won his elusive second national title with a masterful second-half coaching job and a spicy dash of Remy Martin. Kansas tightened up defensively to rev up its transition game and Martin provided the spark in a dazzling second half in the Jayhawks' 72-69 win over North Carolina. The Jayhawks started fast and faded even faster to fall into a 15-point hole by halftime. They roared back behind Self’s adjustments, setting a record for biggest comeback in championship game history.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bill Self went from the Hall of Fame coach who too often failed on the big stage to the brilliant mastermind of the biggest second-half comeback in NCAA title game history. The Jayhawks were blitzed by plucky North Carolina for most of the first 20 minutes and dug a seemingly insurmountable 40-25 hole. But Kansas rallied for a 72-69 victory over the Tar Heels inside the boisterous Superdome. Self managed to calm down his disjointed team in the locker room, then get it back on a script for success. That meant getting the ball inside to David McCormack and into the hands of Remy Martin and making crucial stops in the closing minutes.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — If the nine months that led to Monday night’s national title game proved anything, it’s that college sports are changing. Whoever shapes all these changes will help define whether the next decade in this multibillion-dollar ecosystem of sports, entertainment and education grows into an efficiently run business or devolves into total chaos. The NCAA has struggled with rules regarding paying players, gender equity, the newly relaxed transfer portal, an increasingly cluttered infractions system and, of course, the long-debated “One and Done” rule. The governing body is all but waving the white flag when it comes to figuring all this out, leaving questions as to who, exactly, will decide on the next big steps that college sports need to take.
WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor and athletic director Mack Rhoades have agreed on a 10-year contract that officials say will allow him to “complete his career” at the Big 12 school. Rhoades joined Baylor in 2016 after Ian McCaw resigned following an investigation that found the school had mishandled allegations of sexual assault. The scandal also led to the firing of football coach Art Briles. The first significant hire for Rhodes was football coach Matt Rhule, who led a turnaround before going to the NFL. Baylor was the first Big 12 school to win regular-season titles in football and men’s and women’s basketball in the same academic year in 2021-22.
UNDATED (AP) — Kentucky forward Keion Brooks Jr. will enter the NBA draft but does not plan on hiring an agent, leaving open the possibility of returning to school. Alabama leading scorer Jaden Shackelford says he plans to enter the NBA draft and sign with an agent. And Syracuse forward Cole Swider will forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the draft.
UNDATED (AP) — Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Pujols will be the designated hitter for his 22nd consecutive opening day start. That matches Hank Aaron and Carl Yastrzemski for second-most behind only Pete Rose, who made 23 straight during his career.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have acquired two first-round picks from the Philadelphia Eagles in a major swap of assets. The Eagles sent picks Nos. 16 and 19 and a sixth-rounder to the Saints for the 18th overall pick, a third-rounder, a seventh-rounder, a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder. The move leaves both teams with two firsts later this month.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Commanders are refuting a report that alleged they withheld ticket revenue from visiting teams. The lawyer for a former Washington VP of sales and customer service said her client testified truthfully and accused the NFL club of defamation. Front Office Sports citing sources reported that the House Oversight Committee received information to indicate Washington withheld ticket revenue. The league pools 40% of all ticket revenue for the road team.
MONDAY SCORES
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (3)Kansas 72 North Carolina 69
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final OT Boston 3 Columbus 2
Final Toronto 6 Tampa Bay 2
Final St. Louis 5 Arizona 1
Final Calgary 3 Los Angeles 2