Kansas Garners Miracle, Championship

This was an unusual season. Kansas is an unusual champion. Their coach was not renowned. They were sans superstars. They were not glamorous. They were not glitzy. They were simply diligent, intelligent, and unrelenting.

On April 7, Kansas defeated Memphis 75-68. Actually, the Jayhawks survived the Tigers. With 2:12 remaining, Memphis led 60-51. Darrell Arthur scored. Sherron Collins stole and tripled. Chris Douglas-Roberts and Mario Chalmers traded free throws. Arthur scored again.

With 1:00 remaining, Memphis led 62-60. Douglas-Roberts missed two free throws. He missed another. Derrick Rose made only one of two. Chalmers made three-point history. In overtime, Kansas outscored Memphis 12-5.

In 1988, Kansas garnered the national championship. Danny Manning was their soul. Larry Brown was their supervisor. Twenty years subsequent, Brandon Rush and Bill Self channeled these personas. They personified Kansas. A deserving, unexpected champion.