Bill Self's 2011-2012 Kansas Jayhawks entered the season ranked inside the top 15 in the preseason AP Poll. After starting the year 7-3, KU went 20-3 the rest of the way to finish their regular season 27-6 and ranked #6 heading into the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks were led all year by Big 12 Player of the Year Thomas Robinson. Robinson averaged nearly 18 points and 12 rebounds per game to become a consensus All-American.
Robinson and his Kansas teammates earned the #2 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament. Once there they made short work of #15 Detroit Mercy before narrowly escaping #10 Purdue, 63-60, to make the Sweet 16. Another close call against #11 NC State setup a showdown with #1 seed North Carolina.
After being tied at half, KU put the clamps on the UNC offense in the 2nd half only giving up 20 points to the Tar Heels to cruise to a 80-67 victory and book a trip to New Orleans. Once there it took another strong 2nd half performance to overcome a 9 point halftime deficit squeak by #2 seed Ohio State.
A loss to fellow blue blood Kentucky in the National Championship game didn't take away from the year the 2012 Jayhawks had.
"I love how we fought, and in a couple days I might look back and say, 'You know, this was a great year. We had a great year.' But right it's just a bad feeling-being so close."
-Tyshawn Taylor
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