Tournament 2020

And with that, we will now sign off from our coverage of the 2020 tournament. And as we do, we hope you’ll enjoy the 2020 edition of our favorite annual tradition: One Shining Moment youtube.com/watch?v=_Ru0Ot…

This will be the final post from this account. Truly appreciate all who came along for the ride the past few weeks. We'll always be able to say that in 2020 there *was* madness. Stay well and let's all look forward to the "real" tournament in 2021.

Congratulations to Mike Whaley, who has won the Bracket Challenge and will receive the $100 prize. His FSU title pick vaulted him over second place finisher @noahpransky. Third place goes to Meghan Manangon. Thanks to all who participated!

@sheabd01 That's kind of you to say. And it's OK. We did it for the love of the game.

And with that, we will now sign off from our coverage of the 2020 tournament. And as we do, we hope you’ll enjoy the 2020 edition of our favorite annual tradition: One Shining Moment youtube.com/watch?v=_Ru0Ot…

Thousands of Seminole fans remain here basking in their first title. The trophy ceremony is now underway. An emotional Leonard Hamilton has just greeted former coaches Hugh Durham and Pat Kennedy on stage. Devin Vassell has been named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

The Florida State Seminoles have won the 2020 national championship!

*Final Score* National Championship (2) Florida St. 80 (1) Kansas 76 Dotson gets it in to Azubuike in the post. He turns and goes up, uses the glass, but it bounces off the rim. Rebounded by FSU’s Williams, who hurls it downcourt to Vassell, who lays it in as time expires.

Florida St. is as close as it’s ever been to a national championship. All 80,000 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium are standing as the teams huddle. Kansas will inbound under its own basket.

*Update from Atlanta* 2nd half, 28.6 seconds remaining (2) Florida St. 78 (1) Kansas 76 FSU grabs the lead! After Vassell is stuffed by Azubuike, FSU's Patrick Williams misses follow from 12 feet. FSU’s Forrest rips rebound from Marcus Garrett and lays it in. Timeout Kansas.

*Update from Atlanta* 2nd half, 55.8 seconds remaining (2) Florida St. 76 (1) Kansas 76 Trailing 76-75, KU’s Ochai Agbaji drives and is fouled by Malik Osborne – his 5th. Agbaji misses the first free throw and makes second. FSU calls timeout. Azubuike still in with 4 fouls.

*Update from Atlanta* 2nd half, 3:37 remaining (2) Florida St. 70 (1) Kansas 73 Devin Vassell has come to life for FSU, igniting 8-2 spurt that has Seminole fans back on their feet. Dotson now with 20 for KU. Azubuike playing with 4 fouls. Game is in television timeout.

*Update from Atlanta* 2nd half, 10:29 remaining (2) Florida St. 50 (1) Kansas 58 Dotson on fire for KU: 4-4 this half for 10 points, with a 3 just now to give Jayhawks their biggest lead. Azubuike has 8 since the break. Hamilton wants a timeout.

Halftime in Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Moving tribute just now led by former President Bill Clinton to legendary coach Eddie Sutton, who was elected over the weekend into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Sutton reached the Final Four with Arkansas in 1978 and Oklahoma St. in ‘95 and 2004

*Halftime Score* Atlanta (2) Florida St. 35 (1) Kansas 34 After trailing by as many as 10, KU closes half with blitz. Marcus Garrett scores 8 in final minutes and Azubuike ends half with dunk off lob from Devon Dotson. Fired-up Jayhawks run off the court to a rousing ovation.

*Update from Atlanta* 1st half; 6:58 remaining (2) Florida St. 26 (1) Kansas 17 Trent Forrest and Rayquan Evans pacing ‘Noles. KU looking adrift with Azubuike out, turning it over five times already. Teams returning to court after television timeout – Azubuike is back in.

*Update from Atlanta* 1st half, 15:29 remaining (2) Florida St. 9 (1) Kansas 5 Trouble early for Kansas: Udoka Azuibuike fouls RaiQuan Gray on a drive from the corner. It’s Azubuike’s second foul, already. Gray makes the shot and free throw for a 3-point play. TV timeout.

Tipping now in Atlanta: (1) Kansas vs. (2) Florida St. The national championship game is underway! Kansas, seeking its fourth title, is playing in home whites. FSU, here for first time since losing to UCLA in 1972, is wearing its road maroon jerseys.

Just as many bold-faced names here to support the Jayhawks, including: current UNC/former KU coach Roy Williams, who is seated with Paul Pierce, star of Williams’ mighty mid-‘90s teams; alums Paul Rudd and Scott Bakula; and Mick Allen and Judy Morris, grandchildren Phog Allen.

Behind the Seminole bench is a sea of familiar faces, including: Legendary FSU football coach Bobby Bowden; hoops great Dave Cowens; and notable alums Traylor Howard (of “Monk” fame), Rep. Val Demings, former Sen. Mel Martinez, and former St. Louis Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa.

What a scene here inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. More than 80,000 on hand and not an empty seat in sight. The starters have just been introduced and Bill Self and Leonard Hamilton are shaking hands. Self is going for his second national title; Hamilton is here for the first time.