Fifty years from now, it's still a terrific story

You know how Mario Chalmers would barely acknowledge that his shot -- The Shot -- was anything more than ho-hum. Never mind that it sent Kansas' national championship game against Memphis into overtime, during which the Jayhawks ran away and hid in winning their third title. Never mind that it was, as far as any can remember, the biggest shot in KU basketball history.

Jayhawk faithful able to exhale

I would imagine that Bill Self announcing he was going to Oklahoma State to coach basketball three days after leading Kansas to a national championship would have been just a little bit of a downer for KU fans.

Chalmers restores the glory

Twenty years ago, it was Danny and the Miracles. In 2008, it's Mario's Miracle. Everybody knows two miracles are better than one. Kansas won an improbable national championship at the Alamodome on Monday night, beating Memphis 75-68 in overtime. And although it wasn't like 1988, when Danny Manning put a 6 seed with 11 losses on his back and carried it through the NCAA Tournament, it was just as amazing.

Being Brown's gopher has its advantages

Is it a coincidence the two coaches leading teams into tonight's national championship game started at the same place? Or is it perfectly sensible, given that place was Kansas?

Williams era is laid to rest

Now the animosity for Roy Williams from the Kansas fans who once adored him can be buried. Much as the Jayhawks shoveled an endless pile of dirt on North Carolina with an incredible first-half explosion that left the Tar Heels frantically, and with much futility, digging out.

Moving past Roy means beating Roy

The day has arrived, as we knew it would when Roy Williams left Kansas to coach basketball at North Carolina five years ago. It was as inevitable as a trip to the dentist's office. You can put it off and put it off, but eventually you just have to do it and get it over with.

It's good to be a KU fan

One of the four Kansas basketball fans I was sitting and talking with about the Jayhawks, Roy Williams and everything else crimson and blue referred to KU as "basketball royalty."

Final Four could be best we've seen

This Final Four has the makings of something special. Now let's just hope the cooks don't spoil the meal. Kansas, UCLA and North Carolina are three of the most storied college basketball programs. And Memphis ain't no slouch.

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Facing Roy brings time to reflect

It's time to let bygones be bygones. For Kansas fans, and I mean every one of them, to throw down their arms (weapons) and throw open their arms (attached to their shoulders) and embrace Roy Williams for the 15 years he coached basketball at KU.

Final Four deficiency takes on a life of its own

This is where the bridge washes out. This is where Bill Self is left to explain why he cannot get his basketball team to the Final Four. He's in another Elite Eight game, his fifth, and all that stands in his way from an elusive Final Four is Davidson. Much as North Carolina, Arizona, Georgia Tech and UCLA stood in his way before.

From Wildcats to more Wildcats

Top five signs that Kansas had its way in Friday night's Sweet 16 game against Villanova. 1. Russell Robinson, who rarely looks to score, had 13 points in the first 8:15 and made three three-pointers.