The 1-seed Kansas Jayhawks put together a fantastic performance to take down the 2-seed Villanova Wildcats 81-65 in the NCAA Tournament‘s Final Four on Saturday in New Orleans.
Load the wagons…
WE'RE GOING TO THE NATTY 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Tw3r1Wi0bH
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) April 3, 2022
It was a wire-to-wire victory for the Jayhawks, who got off to a 10-0 start and led by as many as 19 points.
What a start for Kansas! #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/0gCVlcP2lq
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 2, 2022
The Jayhawks shot 53.7% from the field and 54.2% from three-point range.
Ochai Agbaji started out 6-of-6 on threes for Kansas (finished 6-of-7) and had 21 points.
Ochai Agbaji is 4-for-4 on 3s! 🔥 #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/I2TdQ0i0bj
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 2, 2022
David McCormack was unstoppable in the paint for Kansas, going 10-of-12 from the field and throwing down a poster dunk. He scored a game-high 25 points and pulled down nine rebounds.
David McCormack with the posterizing jam! 💪🏀🔨 #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/RhrUcJ2dBr
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 2, 2022
And Christian Braun nailed dagger threes for Kansas down the stretch.
Christian Braun! What a shot for Kansas. 🏀🔥 #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/krvqN6pQh8
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 2, 2022
Christian Braun hitting big-time shots in the second half for Kansas! 🔥 #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/prPomUJuR4
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 3, 2022
Villanova certainly missed guard Justin Moore — who tore his Achilles in the final minute of the Elite Eight; averaged 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists this season — in this game, and they made a valiant effort to get within six points with six minutes to go, but the Jayhawks were too much to overcome.
Kansas will face the winner of Saturday night’s North Carolina-Duke game in the National Championship on Monday. The Jayhawks last won the National Championship in 2008, and they last reached the title game in 2012.
Here’s a look at how the basketball world is reacting to Kansas’ Final Four victory over Villanova:
"And let me tell you something. Not only are they going to play for the National Championship Monday; they are going to *win* the National Championship Monday."- Charles Barkley on the Kansas Jayhawks pic.twitter.com/28Fx2cCh9P
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 3, 2022
Kansas and Villanova have played four times in the Men’s NCAA Tournament.
The winner of the first three went on to win it all. pic.twitter.com/zWGK3cqIoP
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 3, 2022
The Big 12 Player of the Year is playing his best basketball of the tournament at the right time.
Ochai Agbaji's first 3 games:
10.3 PPG, 2-12 3-PT FG
Ochai Agbaji's last 2 games:
19.5 PPG, 8-9 3-PT FG pic.twitter.com/BRT4LJ8e6C
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 3, 2022
KANSAS IS HEADED TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9XO2m4dJec
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 3, 2022
That was really a flex by Kansas.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) April 3, 2022
My look when Kansas punches its ticket to the national championship game pic.twitter.com/CZy9HYB9mp
— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) April 3, 2022
Dayton beat Kansas this season.
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) April 2, 2022
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at Awful Announcing and The Comeback.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@awfulannouncing.com.