The ‘Jimmy Chitwood‘ moment that helped KU basketball win the 2022 NCAA title

As he spoke to reporters for the first time since his hospitalization for a heart issue, Bill Self shared a story about a key moment from the 2022 NCAA championship game that is mindful of a famous scene in the movie “Hoosiers.”

Kansas point guard DaJuan Harris stepped out of bounds after receiving an in-bounds pass with 4.3 seconds remaining. North Carolina now had a final possession on its side of the court, trailing 72-69.

During a timeout, Self said he wanted his players to commit a foul that would send the Tar Heels to the line for a one-and-one.

“I told the kids to foul,” Self said. “I spent five minutes telling them how to foul.”

That’s not what happened. Why?

Cue “Hoosiers.” On the final possession in the Indiana state high school championship game, the players overruled the coach, who had called for another player to attempt the game-winner. The team’s star, Jimmy Chitwood, said he would make the shot. The coach agreed, and the underdog team prevailed.

For Kansas, Jalen Wilson provided the contrary voice, and Self recalled the conversation going like this after laying out his plan to foul:

Wilson: “No, no, we ain’t doing that. We’re going to screw it up.”

Self: “So what do we do?”

Wilson: “We’re going to guard ‘em. We’re going to play it out.”

Kansas did. North Carolina’s Caleb Love launched a contested three-pointer that didn’t draw iron to ensure the Jayhawks’ victory.