National Championship Game Grades: Kansas

Story posted April 5, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Jack McCune

The Jayhawks pulled off the largest comeback in title game history when they erased a 16-point advantage for North Carolina, including a 15-point halftime deficit.

The 72-69 win gives Kansas its fourth National Championship and second under head coach Bill Self. Let’s take a look at the champion’s grades from the game.

Offense: B-

Self’s offensive game plan to start was to work the ball inside and set up for offensive rebounds, and iif there’s no space in the post, make sure the playmakers are open on the perimeter.

That didn’t work in the first half against a stingy Tar Heels’ defense when Kansas scored just 25 points in the first 20 minutes for the Jayhawks’ lowest halftime total all-tournament long.

After halftime, Kansas didn’t change its strategy too much, but it got much more aggressive on one-on-one and fastbreak opportunities. Junior guard Christian Braun scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half and used his speed to wear down the opposing defense.

That allowed 6-foot-10 senior David McCormack to use his strength in the paint when he finished with 15 points. McCormack’s post presence opened up more space outside as well, and sixth-man and 6-foot senior Remy Martin took advantage. Martin recorded 14 points in 21 minutes off the bench, including a game-high four 3’s.

So the tale of two halves was pretty simple - one had a hot Braun, the other did not.

Defense: B-

The difference on the defensive end between the halves is easy to see as well.

In the first half, Kansas sent North Carolina to the line eight times for 16 free throws. In the second half, Kansas committed just three shooting fouls for six foul shots.

With North Carolina being the nation’s fifth-best free throw-shooting squad among tournament teams, putting the Tar Heels at the line in the first half was a recipe for disaster defensively.

In fact, the Tar Heels made just one less field goal in the second half than they did in the first.

The Jayhawks didn’t defend the perimeter too often all night, and it worked to their advantage as North Carolina made just five shots on 23 tries.

Kansas also won the turnover battle 13-9 with six steals.

If Self’s team didn’t foul so much in the first half and allow a 16-0 run, their grade would be much higher.

However, a B- is a passing grade, and it got the job done.

Coaching: A-

Self’s team didn’t look like itself in the first half on either end. The offense had no room to operate, and the defense wasn’t patient enough.

But that changed after a visit to the locker room. Self said during the trophy presentation that he didn’t say much to his team during halftime except for an allusion to his 2008 championship team.

“Would you rather be down 15 with 20 [minutes] left, or down nine with two left?” Self said during the trophy presentation, referencing his 2008 team’s comeback.

The 19-year Kansas coach didn’t panic when his team was down at the break and instead stuck to his core coaching philosophies. He made the necessary adjustments so his team wouldn’t foul as much, yet stay poised defensively and confident offensively.


Jack McCune is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jxm1237@psu.edu.