Midwest Regional Final: (2) Kansas 80 – (1) North Carolina 67

03/25/2012

ST. LOUIS, MO – Kansas has their revenge over the coach who left them. North Carolina has an entire off-season to wonder, “What if?”

Using a 12-0 run to close the game, the Jayhawks turned a one-point lead into a 13-point victory over North Carolina in the Midwest Regional final, as the Tar Heels became the third #1 seed to fall short of reaching the Final Four.

Though he took part in Saturday’s practice, UNC head coach Roy Williams made the decision to sit point guard Kendall Marshall, who suffered a broken wrist last Sunday in the Tar Heels’ victory over Creighton.

All five Kansas starters scored in double-figures, led by a 22-point, 6-rebound, 5-assist performance from Tyshawn Taylor. Thomas Robinson added 18 points and 9 rebounds and Jeff Withey added 15 points and 8 boards. James McAdoo came off the bench to lead North Carolina with 15 points, while Harrison Barnes added 13.

Kansas will meet Ohio State in the second national semifinal game next Saturday night.

Wayne Larrivee and Fran Fraschilla called the action on the Westwood One Radio Network.

(Withey dunks it with authority as the Jayhawks break the tie)

[podcast id='1']

(Bullock with the big three as UNC takes a 31-28 lead)

[podcast id='2']

(Thomas Robinson with the “manly” effort to put Kansas back in front)

[podcast id='3']

(Taylor connects on the jumper as Kansas takes their biggest lead of the game)

[podcast id='4']

(McAdoo with the and-one as the Tar Heels fight back to close the gap)

[podcast id='5']

(Johnson with an enormous three-ball as Kansas takes a 71-67 lead)

[podcast id='6']

(Releford punctuates a huge Kansas run with the dunk, as the Jayhawks are off to the Final Four)

[podcast id='0']

(Postgame interview with Kansas’ Thomas Robinson)

[podcast id='7']

(Postgame interview with Kansas head coach Bill Self)

[podcast id='8']

(Postgame recap from Wayne Larrivee and Fran Fraschilla)

[podcast id='9']

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