BY MADISON SHAPLAND
After defeating Villanova on Saturday in the Final Four, the Kansas Jayhawk men’s basketball team moved on to face the North Carolina Tar Heels for the National Title on Monday. With lots of anticipation building for the game, Fort Hays State University students came together to watch the 2022 season’s final contest. Before the tip-off, cheers of “Rock chalk, baby” rang in the quad.
When asked about plans for Monday’s game, FHSU Student Body Vice President Ryan Stanley said “We’re getting some snacks, creating an exciting environment, and having friends over to watch the game. It should be a fun night.”
Jasiah Pollreisz said, “I’m going over to my sister’s apartment and watching the game with our friends.”
KU was the lone #1 seed remaining while North Carolina entered the game seeded 8th. When discussing who would win the game, Mark Faber, FHSU student body president said “I pick KU, because they’re the better team.”
“I am a little nervous but I have a feeling of calmness, like something good is going to happen,” Pollreisz said.
The Jayhawks were quick to lose their early seven-point lead with UNC taking a 22-18 lead at the 12-minute mark of the first half.
“You guys [KU] are honestly just stressing me out,” said Chloe Stanley, student government community relations director.
“I’d rather have a safe eight-point-lead, I do not like this,” Hattie Lukert said.
The Heels’ lead grew into double digits in the closing minutes of the first half to take a 32-22 lead.
“They’re [KU] just laying down in the first half,” said Lukert.
“They’re [KU] just setting up for an amazing comeback,” Faber said.
“We just need a second half, we need to regroup, this isn’t working for us,” Emily Salmans added.
“They’re so patient with the ball like they take their time dribble the ball look around,” Stanley said of UNC’s first-half execution.
North Carolina led Kansas at the halftime break, 40-25.
“Rebounds and second-chance points, not playing aggressive is just killing KU. Kansas looks very out of sync and rushed,” Carter Jones said. “To come back they’re going to have to run offense and work through Ochai Agbaji. UNC’s playing really well though, Brady Manek and Armondo Bacot are having good games.”
“They’re [KU] usually a better second-half team,” said Ethan Salmans.
“They’re [UNC] the ones getting hit and we’re [KU] the ones afraid to get physical. KU is the number 1 seed and was in the final four in 2020 so there’s a lot of pressure on them,” Stanley added.
“I believe they [KU] can [comeback], I think they will, I have faith,” Lukert said.
If Jalen Wilson would’ve made his shots earlier, we would’ve been ahead,” Ethan Salmans said.
KU trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half and by 15 at halftime. A comeback from 16 down would be the largest in championship-game history while coming back from 15 down would be tied for the fourth-largest halftime deficit erased in the title game.
“I think they’re [UNC] going to play to conserve their lead, then they’ll end up losing,” said Ethan Lang.
“Well, we got nothing to lose so let’s see what happens,” Pollreisz said.
KU came out with that same attitude to start the second half. They continued to claw their way back until they were within one point of the Heels. With 12:41 left, the score was 46-45 UNC and the Tar Heels turned the ball over.
“That’s a junior high girl’s mistake,” said Emily Salmans.
“That was big, we just need to hit one shot and it would spark our offense,” said Lukert.
Ryan Stanely said, “Guys this is crazy I was about to go to bed, and now we’re back in it.”
“Wow we could actually pull this off,” said Pollreisz.
With 7:48 in the second half, the game was tied, 57-57.
“Excitement’s up, it’s close again, glad it’s a close game,” Faber said.
“KU’s gonna win, mark my words,” Jones said.
KU and UNC continued to teter back and forth for the next 5 minutes of play.
“This is such an ugly national championship game,” Stanley said.
“They both just look bad. I wish our final four-game could be like copy and paste,” Lukert added.
North Carolina took a one-point lead with 1:41 remaining, 69-68.
“Jacob you might have to move bud, I’m gonna have to stand up, it’s edge of your seat time now,” Jones said.
“I don’t think I can watch this. I’m gonna be sick, I don’t know why, I’m just a fan,” Salmons said.
“I don’t know how I’m going to go to bed after this, like all of this excitement,” Stanley said.
UNC’s big man. Armando Bacot went down with an ankle injury with 0:38 remaining.
“That’s a terrible ending [for UNC’s Bacot], I don’t want it to end like that,” Stanley said.
KU reclaimed the lead on a David McCormack jump-hook shortly after Bacot went down.
“Bacot was a big player for them [UNC],” Faber said.
“So much can happen in 38 seconds,” Lukert said.
With 4.6 seconds left, KU had a three-point lead; 72-69. With the ball in their hands, Kansas had made the biggest comeback in NCAA history.
“This is crazy! Hold on, hold on, everyone hold on. 4.6 seconds is too long,” Stanely said.
“I don’t like how they’re [KU] on their [UNC’s] side. How do you even coach in this scenario? Like what do you even tell them,” Lukert said.
“Oh man, I’m starting to get nervous now,” Salmans said.
KU’s Dajuan Harris stepped out of bounds to give the Tar Heels another shot to tie the game with 4.3 seconds left.
“That was a good play if he [Harris] would have just stayed in bounds,” Salmons said.
“He was out of bounds, no way,” Faber said.
“This man done goofed,” Stanley said.
“That was literally the worst-case scenario, the place to make a turnover, on their side,” said Maleigha Schmidt.
As it came down to the last play of the game Emily Salmos said “They’re talking about Manek, he’s ready to shoot, he’s warming up his hands.”
UNC’s Caleb Love threw up the last shot in an attempt to go into overtime.
“I was like 95% sure that ball was going into the hoop,” said Jones when the ball missed the rim.
Post game thoughts were filled with a lot of excitement, shock, and reflection on the overall quality of the championship game.
“So many weird things happened in that game, concussions, out of bounds, broken ankle, puke on court, line fault-multi, and we [KU] were down by 15 at half,” Schmidt said.
“Officials were pretty good, don’t think it would have mattered, charge calls a little weird but weird both ways. Made the right calls in the game when it mattered,” Salmons said.
“I’ve never enjoyed basketball games so much. That was a quality game, I’m glad I watched,” Faber said.
Watching KU celebrate their title Emily Salmons said “Aw look how happy they are. Man, what a game.”
“I mean I’ve been watching them since I was a little kid and I look forward to basketball season every year and for this to be my first year in Kansas and seeing my first KU game this year and then them winning it all, it is definitely something I will never forget,” Pollreisz said.
“The atmosphere is so hype! The entire town is bustling,” said Parker Gooden, a student at KU who watched the game from inside Allen Fieldhouse.
