Kansas secured its spot in the 2022 NCAA Tournament championship game on Saturday by beating Villanova 81-65 in a Final Four matchup inside the same venue. The victory sends the No. 2 seed Jayhawks on to play either Duke or North Carolina on Monday night as KU pursues its first national championship since 2008.
Kansas jumped out to a 38-19 lead in the first half against the shorthanded Wildcats but was tested from there as Villanova found its footing and drew within 64-58 with 6:10 remaining. The Jayhawks used a quick 11-1 run from there to surge back ahead and avoid late drama.
David McCormack posted a season-high 25 points while helping Kansas dominate the paint 32-16.