THE UNIVERSITY JAIRY KANSAN
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008
SPORTS
3B
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Go-to-guy saves the day
Mario's shot gives fans a reason to remember Alamo
Jon Goering/KANSAN
Junior guard Mario Chalmers passes an alley-oop dunk to sophomore forward Darrell Arthur during overtime. Chalmers, who was named Most Outstanding Player, made the three-pointer that tied the game and put it into overtime.
BY RUSTIN DODD dodd@kansan.com
SAN ANTONIO — Call this one Mario - and the miracle.
It seemed as if all of Kansas was in the massive arena on the outskirts of downtown San Antonio.
Ask someone twenty years from now where they were when Mario Chalmers hit "the shot," and they'll probably tell you the Alamodome.
Nope, it was only 43,257 fans. But junior guard Mario Chalmers, the tournament's most outstanding player, made them roar like never before.
"It was probably the biggest shot ever made in the history of Kansas basketball," coach Bill Self said.
The game,the season,the dream. It all looked lost, snatched away by the beautiful play of Memphis' duo of junior Chris Douglas-Roberts and freshman Derrick Rose.
But then Memphis started missing free throws and Kansas furiously rallied. And down three, with 10 seconds remaining, Sherron Collins skirted across half-court and found a looping Mario Chalmers.
"Sherron kind of fumbled the ball." Chalmers said.
The three-pointer went down. Kansas 63, Memphis 63. Life continued.
"We got the ball to our most clutch player and he delivered," Self said.
Funny thing is, Bill Self saw this coming. Kansas was known as a team of balance, defined by players who only cared about winning. A group of high school stars, brought together and molded into champions by Kansas coach Bill Self.
But Self knew. He kept it close to his breast, but he knew. Mario Chalmers was Kansas' go-to-guy. Self even said so last year.
"He has no memory," Self said.
"The next thing that happens is the only thing he's worried about."
The shot will be replayed for years. Mario Chalmers, who came to Kansas from Anchorage, Alaska, finding the net and sending the game into overtime.
Of course, there was still an overtime to be played. Energized by a second chance, Kansas quickly took control.
And once again Chalmers came through, making two free throws with 45 seconds remaining.
When it was all over, Chalmers high-stepped around the Alamodome with Brady Morningstar fast in pursuit. Morningstar finally caught Chalmers, wrapped his hands armed around Kansas' junior guard and tried to jump on his back. Chalmes slipped away. He probably was tired of carrying people.
It was a team effort in the first half, as Kansas built a 33-28 lead.
But in the second half and overtime, Chalmers made his presence known, delivering 11 points and
two assists after the break
Kansas' junior guard finished with 18 points, three assists, three steals, and the most clutch shot in Kansas history.
Chalmers seemed unfazed by history.
"I just know that it was a big shot," He said. "My teammates had confidence in me."
The confetti poured and the championship T-shirts came out. A historic comeback was complete.
As the buzzer sounded, Chalmer made his way to the crowd.
Finally he found his way to his mother and hung on for dear life. Moments later, Chalmers hugged his father, Ronnie. Father and son were wrapped into each others' arms, and the Jayhawks were champions once again.
"There was something different tonight," Self said.
—Edited by Sasha Roe
COMMENTARY
Men's basketball, football seasons mark best in Kansas sports history
BY CASE KEEFER
KANSAN SPORTS EDITOR
ckefer@kansan.com
And there would be more than enough content to fill it. 'The Chalmers Shot,' which will be remembered for decades to come, could be repeated for five minutes straight without ever getting old for Jayhawk fans.
Before 2007, the Kansas football team had lost at least five games each season for 12 straight years.
CBS' traditional 'One Shining Moment' highlights montage, which is played at the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament to commemorate the champions, just doesn't do what happened here justice. Nope, the network's head honchos would have to create 'A Year's Worth of Glowing Memories' video to do that.
This year, the University of Kansas' two revenue sports squads, the football and men's basketball teams, lost a total of four times.
How about sophomore forward Darrell Arthur blocking national darling Tyler Hansbrough's shot in the first half of Saturday's game? Let's not forget the Sherron Collins-to-Sasha Kaun alley-oop in the same game that re-energized the Jayhawks for the final seven minutes. Add Mario Chalmers' eight three-pointers in the Big 12
Four losses—just think about that. That means about 92 percent of the time when the Jayhawks walked on the field or court, they won. If you were that proficient in the classroom, you'd have a 4.0 grade point average. If the president ever received that high of an approval rating, wad be living in euphoria.
That's why Kansas' 75-68 overtime victory against Memphis in Monday night's National Championship did more than simply bring Lawrence its first title in 20 years. It capped off the greatest year in Kansas sports history.
Championship or jumping out to a 32-11 lead in the opening nine minutes against Kansas State at Allen Fieldhouse. This list could stretch on.
Oh, there's football triumphs, too. Maybe sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing directing the Jayhawks up and down the field against Nebraska en route to 10 straight touchdowns and 76 points. Junior linebacker Joe Mortensen's burst through the Virginia Tech offensive line that led to a blocked field goal in the Orange Bowl needs to be immortalized.
This year was incredible for Kansas sports fans. More than that – this year was dominance. Even the most bitter defeats had their silver linings. Kansas State might have beaten Kansas for the first time in 25 years at Bramlage Coliseum, but
the Cats were beaten into submission in Lawrence. Not to mention, they squandered a third opportunity to face the Hawks by losing in the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.
Missouri might have ruined Kansas' football national title aspirations, but the Tigers ended up in Dallas playing in the Cotton Bowl. Kansas was rewarded with a more exotic location and a more notable trophy at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
Neither the football or basketball teams lost a home game all year. And while we're at it, KU Athletics Director Lew Perkins dominated airtime during the Super Bowl because he was sitting right below Peyton Manning. But nothing can be better than the fact that there's going to be a new banner in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse.
Did the stars just align correctly over Lawrence? Is Perkins just truly Buddha? We'll never know why it happened.
But one thing is for sure – something magical took place here this year. Enjoy it.
Edited by Matt Hirschfeld