John Calipari captured his first National Championship on Monday night as the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Kansas Jayhawks, 59-50. Kentucky led by double-digits for a 25-minute span before Kansas went on run at the five minute mark and cut the UK lead to as low as six. While the Cats got a little tight down the stretch, they came up with a few big defensive stops in the final minute to clinch the title.
Doron Lamb was fantastic for Kentucky, consistently hitting from behind the arc to either extend the lead or promptly stop a Kansas threat. He finished with a gam-high 20 points. National Player of the Year Anthony Davis hit only one field goal but he completely controlled the game on defense, grabbing 16 rebounds and blocking six shots en route to the tournament's MOP award. His fellow freshman, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, was the only other Wildcat in double-figures, setting the pace early and then clinching the title with a huge block in the final minute.
It's the eighth title in Kentucky's storied history but the first championship for coach John Calipari.
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