In the 2007 – 08 season , Self 's Kansas team began the season 20 – 0 until they suffered their first loss at rival Kansas State , their first loss at Kansas State since 1983 . The 2008 Jayhawks won the Big 12 regular-season title and the Big 12 conference tourney . They received a number-one seeding in the NCAA Tournament in the Midwest region . On March 30 , 2008 , Self led Kansas to a win in an Elite Eight game over upstart Davidson College . KU won by two , 59 – 57 . The Jayhawks played overall number 1 tournament seed North Carolina in the semifinals , a team coached by former KU head man Roy Williams . The Jayhawks opened the game with a 40 – 12 run over the first 12 ½ minutes before finally defeating them 84 – 66 . On April 7 , 2008 , the Jayhawks triumphed over a one-loss Memphis team to claim the national title . With only seconds on the clock , Sherron Collins drove the ball the length of the court and threaded a pass to Mario Chalmers , who connected on a deep three-pointer to force overtime . This shot would later come to be known as " Mario 's Miracle " in a nod to 1988 championship nickname " Danny and the Miracles " . Kansas then outplayed Memphis in the overtime to win the NCAA Championship game , 75 – 68 . The Jayhawks finished the season with a 37 – 3 record , the winningest season in Kansas history
Big 12 conference tourney
2008 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament
Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball