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Mario Chalmers’ big shot leads Kansas to first national title since 1988

Mario Chalmers knew his historic moment was coming.

Jarrett Jack had all but predicted it back in 2004.

Chalmers was friends with Jack, a guard at Georgia Tech, which lost to Connecticut in the national final. Chalmers attended the game, which, by chance, was played at the Alamodome.

“I talked to him a little bit after the game,” Chalmers said. “He said, ‘One day you’ll be there. When you get there, make the most of your opportunity.’ “

Chalmers did precisely that. His 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds to play sent the national final into overtime, where Kansas pulled it out 75-68 over Memphis.

Chalmers, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, finished with 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc. He made all six of his free throws and had three assists.

According to ESPN online columnist Pat Forde, Chalmers carried a little something extra in his pocket. With just over two minutes left in the game -– before Kansas mounted a nine-point comeback en route to a 75-68 overtime win -– Chalmers looked at two verses he had written on a piece of paper: Psalm 46:10 and verse 1.

Verse 10 of Psalm 46 counsels, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Verse 1 reminds: “God is a refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.”

“We were in trouble at that time,” Chalmers added.

With Chalmers’ second basket from the arc, Kansas closed out regulation with a 12-3 run, erasing a 60-51 deficit with just over two minutes to play.

The contest was the first overtime title game since Arizona defeated Kentucky in 1997.

Kansas took full advantage of its new life in the extra session, scoring the first six points and never trailing again.

Chalmers also did some good work on the defensive end. Among the nation’s steal leaders all season, Chalmers had four. That was the most among the Jayhawks on a night they totaled 11 steals and took the high-scoring Tigers out of their comfort zone on offense.

At times, Chalmers seemed to be everywhere—pestering the Tigers on defense and then slicing into the lane at the other end of the floor, only to find an open teammate.

When it ended, he was in the best place of all—on a podium at center court, hoisting a national championship trophy with his teammates.

“It’s something that we got here, and we all believed in ourselves,” Chalmers said.