Won And Done! Kentucky Clinches 2012 National Championship Over Kansas, 67-59

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John Calipari Is Not The Future

Kentucky won the national championship on Monday night, and John Calipari finally has a title. But if you're waiting for the rest of college basketball to copy Calipari, don't hold your breath.

Anthony Davis Is The Future

Kentucky won the National Championship Monday night, and Anthony Davis won the Most Outstanding Player award. But after the most dominant season we've seen from a player in years, it's only the beginning.

NCAA Tournament 2012: Kansas Fans React To The Championship Defeat

The Kansas Jayhawks had been bounced from the previous two NCAA Tournaments much earlier than anticipated, but fought their way all the way to the Finals of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, including a comeback win in the Final Four against Ohio State. Even with the loss to a dominant Kentucky team in the Championship Game, Kansas fans are still proud of their Jayhawk team. As Owen from SB Nation's Rock Chalk Talk notes, this is a Kansas team that proved all the doubters wrong.

Right now, I want to talk about MY team. The Kansas Jayhawks with Thomas Robinson, Tyshawn Taylor, Jeff Withey, Travis Releford, Elijah Johnson, Kevin Young and Conner Teahan. Those are the guys that made up the 2011-2012 Kansas Jayhawks.

The Jayhawk team that went into the season with a boat load of doubters. The Jayhawk team that won an eighth straight Big 12 championship. The Jayhawk team that refused at any point to give in or quit clawing and scrapping when things weren't going their way. That's the team that I'm proud of and that's the team I watched leave it all on the floor one more time tonight.

The 2012 Kansas team was made up of veterans who knew what disappointment and defeat felt like. This was a Kansas team that didn't win the Championship, but as Rock Chalk Talk says, it wasn't a team that lost it and is a team that Kansas fans can be proud of, even in defeat.

For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more on the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more updates on Monday's championship game, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.

NCAA Tournament 2012: Kentucky Fans React To Championship

Fourteen years after winning their last NCAA basketball title, the Kentucky Wildcats won again for the first time since their 1998 championship. Fans can now rejoice after their dominating 67-59 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks. Kentucky fans reacted to the win over at SB Nation's Wildcats blog, A Sea Of Blue, as Ken Howlett noted that it was simply Kentucky's year and having a team comprised mostly of freshmen didn't matter.

But, this was Kentucky's year, about that there can be no debate: 16-0 in the SEC, 24-game winning streak, ranked No. 1 for most of the year, and a school record 38 wins. There can also no longer be the doubters (well, they can "be," but no one will pay attention). Doubters who said "you can't win a championship with a freshman dominated team." Say what?!? ... is exactly what the 'Cats said Monday night, as they came away with Kentucky's eighth NCAA National Championship in a 67-59 championship win.

In the past, the argument had been made that you can't win a championship with a team of freshmen, but the Wildcats blew that theory out of the water with their dominant run through the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more on the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more updates on Kentucky's championship hroughout the day, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.

NCAA Tournament 2012: 8 Thoughts On Kentucky's Eighth National Championship

From Anthony Davis' post dominance to Doron Lamb's underrated brilliance, Monday night was pure ecstasy for both John Calipari and Big Blue Nation. | SI.com: Kentucky’s (Big) Blueprint For The Ages

VIDEO: Breaking Down Kentucky's Win

NCAA Tournament 2012: John Calipari Relieved To Win First Title

Whatever you think about John Calipari, you can no longer say he can't win the big one. Kentucky's controversial head coach expressed relief over that fact during his post-game press conference following Monday's 67-59 win over Kansas.

"You know what it is, I told my wife, I'm glad it's done," he said. "Now I can get about my business of coaching basketball and getting these players to be the best that they can be, helping young people, you know, create better lives for themselves and their families, and also helping them prepare for life after basketball.

"I can get on with that. I don't have to hear the drama. I can just coach now. I don't have to worry. If you want to know the truth, it's almost like, done, let me move on."

Calipari has made three previous trips to the Final Four, but his first two appearances were eventually vacated from the official record books due to NCAA infractions. That, combined with his unabashed willingness to embrace one-and-done freshmen, has made him one of the most polarizing figures in college hoops.

Nevertheless, Calipari doesn't plan to change anytime soon.

"I said this a couple years ago and everybody got crazy when we had five guys drafted in the first round," he said. "This is one of the biggest moments, if not the biggest, in Kentucky history. The reason was, I knew now other kids would look and say, 'You got to go there.'

"What I'm hoping is there's six first‑rounders on this team. We were the first program to have five, let's have six. That's why I've got to go recruiting on Friday."

For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more on the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more updates on tonight's championship game throughout the day, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.

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2012 NCAA Tournament: Kentucky's Anthony Davis Named Most Outstanding Player

Defense wins championships. Just ask Anthony Davis, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2012 NCAA Tournament despite scoring just six points in Kentucky's 67-59 win over Kansas.

He didn't score his first point until five minutes after halftime -- and he didn't hit his first field goal until six minutes were left in the game -- but the long-limbed freshman was still the most dominant player on the court.

By halftime, Davis set the NCAA record for the most blocks in a season by a freshman, and by the end of the game he tied Joakim Noah's record with six blocks in a championship game. He also grabbed 16 rebounds, recorded three steals and handed out five assists.

Davis controlled the paint in every way imaginable, intimidating Kansas with a volleyball spike one moment, deftly tipping the ball back to himself the next. Just watch him erase Thomas Robinson's attempt to the right -- that's shades of Bill Russell.

This game was likely Davis' last for the Wildcats. John Calipari admitted back in November that Davis was a lock to be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft -- and that's even more obvious after Monday's game.

For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more on the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more updates on tonight's championship game throughout the day, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.

NCAA Tournament 2012 Championship, Kentucky Vs. Kansas Final Score: Wildcats' 67-59 Victory Earns First Title Since 1998

Kentucky held the lead from early on in the 2012 NCAA Tournament final on Monday night. And the Wildcats seemed to be bobbling it in the second half as Kansas made an improbable run. But the immensely talented Wildcats ultimately held on for a 67-59 victory, giving the most successful program in college basketball its first national championship since 1998 — and allowing John Calipari to hold the trophy high for the first time in his career.

The Wildcats got contributions from up and down their roster, like a game-high 22 points from Doron Lamb and 11 points, six rebounds, and a clutch defensive play from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and built a 16-point lead with 10:00 to go in the second half. But Anthony Davis, their superlative forward, starred in Kentucky's coronation despite making just one field goal: he had 16 rebounds, six blocks, five assists, and three steals, more than making up for a subpar six-point outing with all-around brilliance.

Kansas would not let Kentucky ascend the ladder without a fight, though, and ripped off a 13-3 run late in the second half to close to within five points. Thomas Robinson ended the game with 18 points and 17 rebounds, and Tyshawn Taylor had a 6-0 spurt within that run, but the Jayhawks didn't have enough firepower to stay with star-studded Kentucky.

The Wildcats didn't encounter a team in the 2012 NCAA Tournament that did: their six wins came by an average of 15.4 points, and none by fewer than eight.

For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more on the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more updates on tonight's championship game throughout the day, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.

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2012 NCAA Tournament Final: Jeff Withey, Anthony Davis Get Records In Block Party

Lanky post players Jeff Withey and Anthony Davis were looking to make Monday night's 2012 NCAA Tournament final a block party. In the first half, both already have, adding new records to their resumes.

Withey's record is more event-specific: with his two blocks, the Kansas center pushed his total in the NCAA Tournament to 29, tying the record for blocks in a single tournament set by Florida's Joakim Noah in 2006. His more impressive block was his second, a close-out that saw him come from the free throw line to swat a shot out of bounds.

Davis, meanwhile, broke the NCAA record for blocks by a freshman with his three first-half blocks, moving to 183 on the season and eclipsing the mark set by Marshall's Hassan Whiteside in 2010. Davis' second block made full use of his long limbs, and was his most aesthetically-pleasing swat of the first period.

Oh, and Davis is now at 26 blocks for his NCAA Tournament. So he may be snagging another record by the end of the night.

For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more on the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more updates on tonight's championship game, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.

NCAA Tournament 2012 Championship, Kentucky Vs. Kansas Score: Wildcats Up Huge, 41-27

After a fantastic first half in the 2012 NCAA Tournament final, Kentucky is 20 minutes from a national championship. The Wildcats are up 41-27 on Kansas at halftime.

Kentucky's offensive assault has conscripted most of its starters: Doron Lamb has 12 points, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 11, and Marquis Teague nine. But the shocking stat of the first half is the goose egg under points for Anthony Davis. The Kentucky big man was held scoreless in the first period — though he did grab nine rebounds, dish four assists, and record three blocks. If Kentucky can be well ahead of Kansas without his assistance on the offensive end, the Jayhawks may have little reason to be hopeful in the second half.

It would help Kansas if Thomas Robinson could get untracked. The Jayhawks' star has eight points, but they came on pitiful 3-for-11 shooting, and only Tyshawn Taylor, also with eight points, joins Robinson in the "Kansas Players Who Have More Than Five Points Club." The Jayhawks may want to leverage the length of Robinson and Jeff Withey on the glass, too: Kentucky has 22 boards to Kansas' 14.

For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more on the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more updates on tonight's championship game throughout the day, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.

NCAA Tournament Championship, Kentucky Vs. Kansas: Wildcats Holding Lead

Kentucky began the 2012 NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed. Entering Monday night's NCAA Tournament final against Kansas, the Wildcats seemed like prohibitive favorites. And now, at the under-eight timeout in the first half, Kentucky looks to be less than a half-hour of game time from a national championship, leading Kansas 31-19.

The most impressive thing about this game so far may be that Kentucky is rolling without anything from Anthony Davis on the offensive end. Davis is still scoreless, and Marquis Teague and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, both with nine points, are among the UK players picking up the slack.

Davis is doing work on defense, however, harassing both Jeff Withey and Thomas Robinson down low. Withey has five points on 2-of-4 shooting, but Robinson's four points have come on 2-of-8 shooting.

For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more on the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more updates on tonight's championship game, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.

NCAA Championship 2012: If Kansas Beats Kentucky, Drew Gooden is Calling His Mom

VIDEO: Kentucky Has Edge On Kansas In 2012 NCAA Tournament Championship

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NCAA Championship 2012: John Calipari Reflects On Humble Beginnings, Serving Peas With Kansas Jayhawks

Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari has become one of the elite names in his profession, building championship contenders by consistently bringing in the best high school basketball talent in the country. Before he earned his reputations as a gang-busting recruiter he started as a humble volunteer with the Kansas Jayhawks, who just so happen to be his opponent Monday night in the 2012 NCAA Championship Game.

"When Ted Owens asked me to join his staff, I said, ‘What position?'" Calipari recalled. "He said, ‘Volunteer.' I said, ‘How much does that guy make?' He said, ‘You're going to live with the assistant, Randolph Carroll, and you can work at the training table to eat. And then you're going to help me run my camp, and I'll pay you some camp money.' So I said, ‘I'm going to work at the training table?' ‘Yes, for the Sinclairs.' So Paul Sinclair ran the training table. I would be in the line (asking) ‘Would you like peas or corn? Peas? Great.' I served the baseball team, basketball team, football team. It was a great experience. I mean, I had no worries. I have great memories of Lawrence, Kansas."

Calipari also admitted that he is still learning lessons as a head coach. His loss to the Jayhawks in 2008 with the Memphis Tigers, for example, was rather instructive.

"Make free throws, that's what I learned," Calipari said.

The Tigers made just 12-of-19 attempts from the charity stripe in the 2008 championship game. This year's Wildcats should fare a little better, having made 72.3 percent of their attempts on the year.

For more on Self and the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more updates on tonight's championship game throughout the day, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.

NCAA Championship 2012: Bill Self Named 2012 Naismith Coach Of The Year

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self was named the 2012 Naismith National Coach of the Year on Sunday, one day before the NCAA Tournament Championship Game against the Kentucky Wildcats. He beat out Syracuse's Jim Boeheim, Missouri's Frank Haith, and the Wildcats' John Calipari for the award.

"This is a terrific honor. When you think of postseason awards, anything that has (James) Nasmith's name in front of it is a huge award and certainly I'm very proud of this," Self said. "It is a reflection of how our team performed all year long. There are so many good coaches out there to choose from, but I am honored they picked me."

The Jayhawks are 32-6 on the year and arguably playing their best ball of the season at the moment. They defeated the likes of the 1-seed North Carolina Tar Heels and 2-seed Ohio St. Buckeyes to advance to the championship game despite being a popular upset pick to start the tournament.

For more on Self and the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more updates on tonight's championship game throughout the day, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.

How Often Are NCAA Championship Games Exciting? And Other Questions

In 2010 we saw one of the most exciting championship games in NCAA Tournament history. In 2011, we saw the very worst. So what are we in for Monday night? Here's a look at a few statistical trends.

Kentucky Vs. Kansas: 15 Thoughts On The 2012 National Championship

Kentucky and Kansas clash in the 2012 National Championship Game in New Orleans Monday night, so get ready for the showdown with some thoughts and a preview before the biggest night in college basketball.

NCAA Tournament Championship: Kentucky Vs. Kansas Rematch Should Be A Classic

Two of college basketball's premier programs, big name players and coaches are taking the floor inside the Superdome in New Orleans. Monday night's national championship game figures to be as memorable as any in recent memory.

NCAA Championship 2012: How Big An Upset Was 2008 Really?

When Kansas completed a stunning comeback down nine with two minutes left against Memphis in the 2008 national title game, it dealt John Calipari his greatest defeat yet, as another of his extremely talented teams fell short in March.

However, four years later, it's hard to call Bill Self's 2008 team the underdog.

While Memphis star Derrick Rose has become an NBA MVP, none of his Tigers teammates have had more than a cup of coffee at the next level.

On the other side of the floor, three Jayhawks (Darrell Arthur, Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush) have carved out successful NBA careers as major contributors, while four more (Cole Aldrich, Sherron Collins, Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson) have been on NBA rosters as well.

Calipari has become known for shepherding waves of one-and-done stars to the next level, but Rose wasn't flanked by any other NBA lottery picks in 2008. Four years later, National Player of the Year Anthony Davis has two future lottery picks (Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) helping him in the front-court.

NCAA Championship 2012: Anthony Davis Vs. Thomas Robinson? That, Or Kentucky Zones It Up

It's widely accepted that the Kentucky Wildcats have more raw talent than the Kansas Jayhawks and that Anthony Davis is the best NBA prospect that will be playing in the national title game. However, that doesn't mean that a Wildcat will have the most impact on the game. Thomas Robinson was the country's only unanimous All-America selection and provides a tough matchup for Kentucky.

When the two teams met in a 75-65 Kentucky win early in the season, Robinson wasn't given an opportunity to take a lot of shots. It was an odd game, in which his teammates couldn't buy a basket and Tyshawn Taylor got to the free throw line 17 times. Kentucky turned the ball over 19 times. Don't expect a stylistic repeat in the national title game at all.

For those who were counting on a Davis-Robinson one-on-one slugfest ... don't. Robinson is too strong to be guarded by Terrence Jones one-on-one, and if Davis takes him on, Jeff Withey is going to have a big size advantage on whatever Kentucky player guards him. What's the solution? According to John Calipari, it might be a zone. Really. Select words in bold for emphasis.

"We know how good Thomas Robinson is. We all know. We went against him in New York. He is as good as they get. He’s a vicious competitor, great around the rim, expanded his game. He can make the top of the key 3. Loves driving that thing hard left and getting to the rim. He has become a better handler and passer, rebounds. So we know how good he is. I don’t really know who is going to guard him. We may play a 2-3 zone. Those guys are so big, we may fall into a zone. I haven’t played that very often, but we may do it."

It's possible that Cal is just playing mind games with the media and Bill Self, but the idea isn't terribly far-fetched.

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub, and remember to pick up our printable NCAA Tournament bracket.

NCAA Tournament 2012 Schedule And Bracket: Kentucky And Kansas Meet In Championship Game Monday

The Kansas Jayhawks and the Kentucky Wildcats are all set to tip off in the 2012 NCAA Tournament Championship Game on Monday night. KU's Thomas Robinson shut down Jared Sullinger on Saturday night, and will attempt to slow AP Player of the Year Anthony Davis.