Mario's Miracle Shot

Well Kansas fans, including myself, the monkey is off our backs. Twenty years after Danny Manning dominated the competition in 1988 to win a national championship, they brought it home again. No longer shall we be reminded of the 2003 loss to Syracuse or the early tournament exits to Bucknell and Bradley, but we will be reminded of the magical shot to send it into overtime with the clock running down.

With only two minutes left in the game the Tigers had a tight grasp on the game leading by nine. This would soon turn around and give all the momentum to the Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas managed the clock very well and hit shots in key moments, Memphis did not. The Tigers missed late free throws that would eventually cost them the game. Rose hit one of two free throws and Memphis led by three with only ten seconds on the clock. Sherron Collins drove the length of the floor and dished the ball to a streaking Mario Chalmers. Chalmers came across the top of the key and launched up the prayers of Kansas fans around the nation. Those prayers were answered when the ball dropped through the net with only two seconds remaining. The Tigers missed a half court desperation shot and the game went into overtime.

In overtime the Jayhawks sensed that the legs of Memphis were very tired, so they decided to turn up the heat. Kansas jumped on the Tigers early and maintained the lead throughout the rest of overtime. Basketball is a game of momentum and it really showed in this match-up. Once the game was sent into overtime everyone sensed that Kansas was gonna take home the ultimate prize. These senses proved true when the Aladome rained down crimson and blue streamers; the Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Memphis Tigers 75-68.

Mario Chalmer's shot was one of the biggest in Kansas history and it will be remembered that way. All of the people that said Kansas did not have a go-to player were proved wrong. The Kansas Jayhawks fought hard throughout the season and they got what they deserved, a national championship.