The 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament concluded with the Kansas Jayhawks securing their fourth national title by defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 72–69. This 83rd edition of the tournament is celebrated for Kansas’s record-breaking 16-point championship comeback, the historic Elite Eight run by 15-seed Saint Peter’s, and the final career games of Duke’s legendary head coach, Mike Krzyzewski.
The Selection Process and Tournament Structure
The 2022 NCAA tournament began with the traditional "Selection Sunday" on March 13, 2022. The selection committee utilized the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) as the primary sorting metric to determine the 68-team field. This system, which replaced the previous RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) in 2018, emphasizes team quality and game location, categorizing wins into four quadrants.
The four No. 1 seeds in 2022 were Gonzaga (the overall top seed), Arizona, Kansas, and Baylor. While Gonzaga entered as the heavy favorite according to most sportsbooks, the 2022 field was noted for its extreme parity. The "First Four" games took place in Dayton, Ohio, serving as the play-in round for the lowest-ranked automatic qualifiers and the last four at-large selections.
As we look back from 2026, the 2022 selection process remains a pivotal moment in college basketball history, as it was one of the last years before massive conference realignment significantly altered the strength-of-schedule calculations for mid-major programs.
The Kansas Jayhawks' Path to Glory
Led by head coach Bill Self, the Kansas Jayhawks entered the Midwest Region as the No. 1 seed. Their journey was characterized by veteran leadership and tactical flexibility. Kansas began their run with a dominant victory over Texas Southern, followed by a hard-fought win against Creighton in the second round.
The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight saw Kansas find their rhythm. They defeated Providence 66–61 in a defensive struggle and then dismantled the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes 76–50 to secure their spot in the Final Four. A key factor in their success was the play of Ochai Agbaji, the Big 12 Player of the Year, and the emergence of Remy Martin, a transfer guard who provided a spark off the bench during the late-season surge.
The Historic Championship Comeback
The national championship game, held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, pitted Kansas against a surging No. 8 seed North Carolina. The first half was a nightmare for the Jayhawks, as they struggled with the Tar Heels' interior presence and trailed 40–25 at halftime.
However, the second half of the 2022 championship game produced one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history. Kansas opened the half with a 31–10 run. They neutralized UNC’s Armando Bacot and utilized a high-low offensive set that allowed David McCormack to score crucial points in the paint. The 16-point deficit overcome by Kansas remains the largest halftime comeback in the history of the NCAA championship game.
The "Cinderella" Story: Saint Peter’s Peacocks
The defining narrative of the 2022 tournament was undoubtedly the Saint Peter’s Peacocks. Entering the East Region as a No. 15 seed, the Peacocks achieved what no 15-seed had ever done before: reaching the Elite Eight.
Under head coach Shaheen Holloway, Saint Peter’s pulled off a massive upset in the first round by defeating the No. 2 seed Kentucky Wildcats 85–79 in overtime. This victory shattered millions of brackets globally and established Saint Peter’s as a national sensation. They followed this up with a victory over No. 7 seed Murray State and an emotional Sweet 16 win over No. 3 seed Purdue.
The Peacocks’ run was fueled by a gritty, "Jersey-tough" defensive identity and the standout performance of Doug Edert. Although they eventually fell to North Carolina in the Elite Eight, their run solidified the 2022 tournament as a "Year of the Underdog" and led to Shaheen Holloway being hired by his alma mater, Seton Hall, shortly after the tournament concluded.
Coach K’s Farewell and the Duke-UNC Rivalry
The 2022 NCAA tournament served as the final chapter for Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who had announced his retirement prior to the season. Duke entered the tournament as a No. 2 seed in the West Region, eventually winning the region to advance to the Final Four.
In a twist of fate, the 2022 Final Four featured the first-ever NCAA tournament meeting between Duke and their arch-rival, North Carolina. This game, played on April 2, 2022, is regarded as one of the most significant college basketball games ever played. North Carolina, under first-year head coach Hubert Davis, defeated Duke 81–77 in a high-intensity battle. Caleb Love’s late-game three-pointer secured the victory for the Tar Heels, ending Coach K’s career and sending UNC to the title game.
| Team | Seed | Region | Final Result | Key Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 1 | Midwest | National Champion | Ochai Agbaji |
| North Carolina | 8 | East | National Runner-up | Armando Bacot |
| Duke | 2 | West | Final Four | Paolo Banchero |
| Villanova | 2 | South | Final Four | Collin Gillespie |
| Saint Peter's | 15 | East | Elite Eight | Doug Edert |
| Gonzaga | 1 | West | Sweet 16 | Drew Timme |
| Arizona | 1 | South | Sweet 16 | Bennedict Mathurin |
Statistical Leaders and Individual Honors
The 2022 tournament showcased an array of talent that would later dominate the NBA. Ochai Agbaji was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player (MOP), averaging 13.7 points throughout the tournament and providing elite perimeter defense.
Armando Bacot of North Carolina set a tournament record by recording a double-double in all six games of the tournament. Despite playing with a significant ankle injury in the final, Bacot finished the tournament with 99 rebounds, the second-most in a single NCAA tournament since the field expanded.
Scoring and Defensive Excellence
- Leading Scorer: Caleb Love (UNC) provided several 20+ point performances, including a 30-point game against UCLA in the Sweet 16.
- Rim Protection: Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga) and Mark Williams (Duke) led the tournament in blocked shots per game, demonstrating the value of elite interior defense in the modern era.
- Efficiency: Kansas’s Christian Braun and Jalen Wilson were instrumental in the Jayhawks’ 47.5% field goal percentage across the tournament.
Legacy and Impact on the NBA Draft
The 2022 tournament served as a final audition for several top NBA prospects. The 2022 NBA Draft, held just months later, saw three players from the Final Four selected in the top 15. Paolo Banchero (Duke) was selected No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic, while Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga) and Jabari Smith Jr. (Auburn) rounded out the top three.
From our 2026 vantage point, we can see how the 2022 tournament accelerated the trend of "positionless" basketball. Players like Banchero and Kansas’s Jalen Wilson demonstrated that 6'8" to 6'10" players could act as primary playmakers, a shift that has become the standard in both collegiate and professional ranks.
Operational Logistics and Revenue
The 2022 tournament was the first since 2019 to return to a full, multi-city format without the restrictions of a "bubble" environment. This return to normalcy resulted in record-breaking attendance and television viewership. According to NCAA official reports, the championship game between Kansas and UNC averaged 18.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched college basketball game on cable television in history at that time.
The economic impact on the city of New Orleans was substantial. Hosting the Final Four generated an estimated $170 million for the local economy. The tournament also marked a significant year for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, as players like Doug Edert signed lucrative sponsorships mid-tournament, illustrating the changing financial landscape of college athletics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2022 NCAA Tournament?
The Kansas Jayhawks won the 2022 NCAA Tournament. They defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 72–69 on April 4, 2022, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. This was the Jayhawks' fourth national title and their second under head coach Bill Self.
What was the biggest upset in the 2022 NCAA Tournament?
The biggest upset was No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s defeating No. 2 seed Kentucky in the first round. Kentucky was a heavy favorite to reach the Final Four, and the loss remains one of the most shocking first-round exits for a blue-blood program in tournament history.
Who was the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) of the 2022 tournament?
Ochai Agbaji of Kansas was named the Most Outstanding Player. He was recognized for his consistent scoring, leadership, and defensive contributions throughout the Jayhawks' six-game run to the championship.
How many people watched the 2022 NCAA championship game?
The 2022 championship game averaged approximately 18.1 million viewers. This high viewership was attributed to the historic nature of the matchup between two "blue-blood" programs and the dramatic 16-point comeback staged by Kansas.
What happened in Coach K's last game?
Mike Krzyzewski’s last game was a 81–77 loss to North Carolina in the Final Four. It was a historic matchup, as it was the first time the two rivals had ever met in the NCAA tournament. The loss concluded Coach K's 42-year career at Duke, during which he won five national championships.
How did the 2022 tournament handle NIL?
2022 was one of the first years where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules were fully active during the tournament. This allowed players like Saint Peter's Doug Edert to sign endorsement deals (such as with Buffalo Wild Wings) while the tournament was still ongoing, a major shift from previous years.
Final Perspective and Future Outlook
The 2022 NCAA tournament remains a landmark event in college sports history. It bridged the gap between the traditional era of college basketball and the modern era of the transfer portal and NIL dominance. For fans and analysts in 2026, the 2022 tournament serves as a reminder of the "Madness" that defines the sport—where a 15-seed from Jersey City can capture the heart of a nation, and a blue-blood giant can erase a massive deficit to claim the throne.
For those looking to research further, reviewing the official 2022 bracket on NCAA.com provides a detailed look at every matchup and scoring margin that defined this historic three-week period.
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