The Jayhawks lost a close national championship game against the Orangemen because of two of KU’s typical banes — the opponent’s three-point shooting and its own free-throw shooting.
Syracuse (30-5) hit 11 of 18 three-point attempts, including 10 of 13 in the first half. Gerry McNamara had six three-pointers in the first half, and Kueth Duany and Carmelo Anthony each hit a pair.
The Orangmen scored 53 points in the first half, the third most in any half of a title game. The Jayhawks only lead was an early 3-2 advantage.
Kansas (30-8) closed to within two or three points numerous times in the second half, but struggled from the foul line, hitting just 12 of 30 shots from the charity stripe.
Anthony, who led all players with 20 points and added eight rebounds, was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. McNamara added 18 points, Billy Edelin had 12 points and Duany had 11 points.
Nick Collison scored 19 points and grabbed 21 rebounds, and Keith Langford scored 19 points, but both fouled out in the second half.
Jeff Graves added 16 points and 14 boards, Kirk Hinrich had 16 points, and Michael Lee had five points. Aaron Miles had two points, and Bryant Nash hit a free throw.
Josh Pace scored eight points for Syracuse, and Hakim Warrick and Craig Forth each had six points.
McNamara, Collison, Hinrich and Langford joined Anthony on the All-Final Four team.
After the loss, KU head coach Roy Williams was interviewed by CBS’ Bonnie Bernstein on live national television.
After talking about the game, Bernstein asked Williams about his interest in the North Carolina vacancy.
At first, Williams was cordial.
“Bonnie, I could give a flip about what those people want,” Williams said. “As a journalist, you have to ask that question. And I understand that. But as a human being … All those people that want that answer, to know right now, they’re not very sensitive.”
Bernstein followed up, however, incurring Williams’ wrath.
“I haven’t thought about that for one second,” Williams said. “Haven’t thought about that for one second. The guy in your ear that told you you have to ask that question — as a journalist, that’s fine, but as a human being, that’s not very nice, because that’s not very sensitive and I got to think that in tough times that people should be more sensititive.
“I could give a shit about North Carolina right now. I’ve got 13 kids in that locker room that I love.”
Later, in his postgame news conference, Williams apologized — and gave a nod to former UNC coaching legend/mentor Dean Smith.
“Coach Smith wouldn’t appreciate my blankety-blank,” Williams said, “but he’ll understand.”
HALFTIME REPORT
The Orangemen hit the Jayhawks where they’re weakest — from behind the three-point line.
Syracuse, which led by as many as 18 points, hit 10 of 13 three-point attempts, including six by freshman point guard Gerry McNamara. Kueth Duany and Carmelo Anthony each hit a pair.
The Orangmen’s 47 first-half points were the third most in any half in a title game.
McNamara leads all players with 18 points, Anthony has 13 points and Duany has 10 points. Hakim Warrick and Billy Edelin each have four points for Syracuse.
Keith Langford leads KU with 13 points, Nick Collison has 12 points and seven rebounds, and Kirk Hinrich and Jeff Graves each have eight points. Graves has added seven boards, and Bryant Nash has a free throw.
Syracuse shot 20-of-36 from the field, and KU hit 16 of 35 shots. The Jayhawks, who turned the ball over 10 times, outrebounded the Orangemen, 22-16.
