KU Completes Greatest Comeback in Championship Game History; Wins 4th NCAA Title
NEW ORLEANS (AP/KPR) — The Great Kansas Comeback is about more than just one scintillating, stifling 20-minute stretch of Jayhawks basketball. The championship KU captured Monday night had roots back in 2020, when the Jayhawks were a team that looked headed for the program's fourth national title. Instead, it was KU's come-from-behind 72-69 victory over North Carolina on Monday that brought that fourth championship banner back to Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks insisted they'd share it with the 2020 team, too. The 2020 NCAA Basketball Tournament was canceled due to COVID, preventing the top-seeded Jayhawks from competing. ( Read more.)
(Additional reporting...)
Jayhawks Rally, Rock North Carolina 72-69 to Win NCAA Title
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kansas finished off the biggest comeback in national championship history Monday night, getting a big game from David McCormack, crucial shots from Remy Martin and surviving a potential game-tying 3-pointer by Caleb Love at the buzzer for a 72-69 victory over North Carolina in the Superdome. The senior-laden Jayhawks trailed 40-25 at halftime before rallying to win their fourth national championship, and the second for coach Bill Self, on the same floor where they lost to Kentucky in the national title game a decade ago.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Best. Comeback. Ever. Sounds pretty good next to Rock Chalk, Jayhawk. What looked like a lost cause turned into one of the sweetest wins ever for Kansas. The Jayhawks brought their fourth NCAA title back to Allen Fieldhouse on Monday thanks to a second-half flurry that erased a 16-point deficit and eventually overcame North Carolina 72-69 in an epic battle of power programs. It was the largest comeback in national championship history, surpassing the 1963 title game when Loyola overcame a 15-point deficit to beat Cincinnati at the buzzer, 60-58. "We just locked in as a family, as a team, and that's what we do," said Kansas big man David McCormack, after making last two baskets of the game. "We overcome the odds. We overcome adversity. We're just built for this." McCormack scored the go-ahead bucket from close range with 1:21 left, then another at the 22-second mark to put the Jayhawks ahead by three. North Carolina missed its final four shots, including Caleb Love's desperation 3 at the buzzer. His heave came up short after officials ruled that Kansas guard DaJuan Harris Jr., stepped out on an inbounds pass with 4.3 seconds left. The Tar Heels went scoreless over the final 1:41. They couldn't find an answer for KU over the final 20 minutes. It was a reat season for both teams, but the championship banner will hang in Lawrence. Ochai Agbaji, who was named the Final Four's most outstanding player, finished with 12 points. "This is a special group of guys," Agbaji said. "We're going down in history. All I got to say is, 'Rock Chalk, baby.'" ( Read more.)
Thousands Pour into Lawrence Streets to Celebrate KU's Historic Victory
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Thousands of people poured into the streets of Lawrence, home of the University of Kansas, Monday night to celebrate the Jayhawks' come-from-behind win over North Carolina to take the men's NCAA basketball championship. Lawrence's main downtown strip, Massachusetts Street, was crammed sidewalk to sidewalk as fans watched the game on an enormous flat-screen TV suspended high over the street from a construction lift. The Jays' 72-69 win brought even more fans to the bar-lined street to celebrate the team's first championship since 2008. Lawrence police estimated that 70,000 fans turned out to celebrate in the streets, with preliminary reports showing only three arrests, a citation and no serious injuries.
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KBI: Toddler Fatally Shot by Officer in Kansas Standoff
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says a toddler found dead inside a southeast Kansas home after a standoff between her father and law enforcement officers was fatally shot by a police officer. The KBI reported preliminary findings Monday from the deadly March 26 shootings in Baxter Springs. Thirty-seven-year-old Eli Crawford fired at officers for more than three hours in what the KBI called a hostage situation. Crawford died along with 2-year-old Clesslyn Crawford and her mother, 27-year-old Taylor Dawn Shutte. The KBI said Crawford shot Shutte as she exited their home when officers responded to a call for help. The KBI said Crawford is believed to have shot himself.
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Court Records: Olathe Man Shot, Killed After Offering Man a Ride
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) - Court records say a Kansas City, Missouri, man fatally shot an Olathe man who offered to give him a ride because it was raining. Twenty-eight-year-old Aaron Simmons Jr. was charged Friday with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 32-year-old David Rowe. The Olathe man was shot four times Tuesday night outside a closed Independence gas station. The probable cause statement said Rowe's girlfriend told police that Simmons became angry when they drove near him, alleging that they "almost hit him." She said Rowe rolled down the window and said they just wanted to give him a ride, and Simmons threatened to shoot him. She said Rowe then got out of the SUV and was shot.
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Legalized Sports Betting in Kansas Remains in Limbo
TOPEKA, Kan (KNS) - The future of legal sports gambling in Kansas is now uncertain and will hinge on the final days of the legislative session. The Kansas Legislature failed to finalize a plan just hours after lawmakers struck a deal on a bill. It would allow sports betting at casinos or through online apps. House lawmakers narrowly approved it, while the Senate chose not to take up the plan before adjourning for most of April. On the House floor, supporters said Kansas was falling behind dozens of other states that legalized sports gambling in recent years. But critics questioned how much revenue the bill would generate for the state. Republican Representative Paul Waggoner says the plan doesn’t tax enough of the projected profits of casinos. “We should make a good deal for the voters, for the citizens of Kansas, for the taxpayers of Kansas," he said. "We’re not here for the lobbyists.” The Kansas Senate could take up the plan when lawmakers return at the end of the month. Democratic Governor Laura Kelly signaled she would likely sign a sports betting bill.
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Ban on Transgender Athletes Competing in Women's Sports Unlikely to Survive Expected Veto
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas lawmakers have approved a ban on transgender girls and women competing in female school sports. The House passed the bill Friday night. It passed the Senate early Saturday morning, sending the measure to Governor Laura Kelly. She's expected to veto the measure and supporters of the ban fell short in both chambers of a veto-proof majority. The measure was part of a broader agenda for conservatives. It also includes responding to concerns about what's taught in public schools by making it easier for parents to try to remove materials from classrooms and libraries.
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Kansas GOP Lawmakers Abandon Plan to End 3-Day Grace Period on Mail-In Ballots
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Republican state legislators in Kansas have abandoned a proposal to end the three-day grace period the state gives voters who use mail ballots. Republican lawmakers are still pursuing efforts to restrict the use of ballot drop boxes in elections. The GOP's latest plans emerged Friday from negotiations between the House and Senate over proposals to tighten state election laws. The Senate approved the proposal on ballot drop boxes, but the House did not take it up before lawmakers adjourned early Saturday for their annual, three-week spring break. The vote in the Senate on the ballot drop box measure was 21-17. Some Republicans representing rural areas joined Democrats in voting against it.
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Charges Dropped Against Wichita Man in Fatal Double Shooting
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped charges against a man who had been arrested in a double shooting last year outside a dice game in Wichita that killed one man and injured another. The Wichita Eagle reports that charges of first-degree murder and aggravated battery were dropped March 14 against 40-year-old Jermall Campbell. Campbell was arrested 10 days after the June 20 shooting inside a home that killed 47-year-old Deandre Freeman and injured a 53-year-old man. The Sedgwick County Attorney's Office and Campbell's attorney declined to give details on why the charges were dropped, but said Campbell was no longer in custody and the case remains under investigation.
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Dick Kelsey, Beloved AP Broadcast Editor, Dies at Age 76
PHOENIX (AP) — Dick Kelsey, a retired Associated Press broadcast editor who was revered as much for his humor as his hardworking nature, has died after a seven-year battle with cancer. He was 76. Kelsey died Thursday at his Phoenix home. Raised in Lockport, New York, he overcame a childhood stutter and established a career in radio. After more than 20 years, he went into print journalism. He joined the AP in 2005 in Kansas City, Missouri, writing broadcast copy for some of the biggest news stories, like the BTK Killer's arrest. He later joined AP's West Regional Desk in Phoenix. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son-in-law, grandson and sister.
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KU's Victory over North Carolina Most-Viewed Men's Title Game on Cable TV
NEW YORK (AP) _ Kansas's comeback victory over North Carolina to win the NCAA men's basketball championship was the most-viewed title game on cable television. The Jayhawks' 72-69 win averaged 18.1 million viewers on TBS, TNT and truTV. That's a 4 percent increase over last year's title game between Baylor and Gonzaga on CBS. This was the third time the championship game was on Turner, but first since 2018. They were supposed to have the 2020 final, but the tournament was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The entire tournament on CBS and Turner averaged 10.7 million, a 13% increase over last year.
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Big 12 Commissioner Bowlsby Stepping Away from Role This Year
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby says he is stepping away from that role later this year after a decade on the job. Bowlsby will remain the Big 12's leader until a new commissioner is appointed. The expectation is that he will then transition into a new interim role with the league. The 70-year-old Bowlsby's contract with the Big 12 goes into 2025. He has been Big 12 commissioner since 2012. He came to the league after serving as athletic director at Stanford and Iowa.
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These area headlines are curated by KPR news staffers, including J. Schafer, Laura Lorson, Kaye McIntyre, and Tom Parkinson. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays, 11 am weekends. This news summary is made possible by KPR listener-members. Become one today!