The Kansas Jayhawks are the new men's NCAA basketball champions

The Kansas Jayhawks are the new men's NCAA basketball champions

Transcript¹

The Kansas Jayhawks had the greatest comeback in national championship history. They beat the University of North Carolina 72-69.

A MARTINEZ, HOST:

You could call this season's Kansas Jayhawks the ultimate comeback kids after their 72-69 win over the North Carolina Tar² Heels in last night's NCAA basketball championship game. From New Orleans, Greg Echlin tells us why.

GREG ECHLIN, BYLINE³: It was a matchup of two teams rich in college basketball history and in a setting that felt like normal again. The pandemic wiped out the tournament two years ago, and last year's championship was in a bubble in the state of Indiana. The buzz was back. After trailing by 16 points near the close of the first half, the Jayhawks staged a second-half comeback for the ages - the biggest comeback in championship game history. Jayhawks senior Ochai Agbaji, voted the most outstanding player, says KU had been accustomed to facing uphill battles this season.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

OCHAI AGBAJI: It was just a matter of us playing our game and executing in the second half and taking away what they were - you know, what they were getting at in the first half.

ECHLIN: KU went to its big man in the middle, David McCormack, down the stretch. He scored the game's final four points and was happy to come through when the Jayhawks needed it the most.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

DAVID MCCORMACK: I just prevailed, and I made the basket happen. I just - I appreciate them for allowing me to have that opportunity.

ECHLIN: The championship provided a poignant⁴ moment for Jayhawks coach Bill Self, whose father was a product of the Dust Bowl days in Oklahoma. He passed away during the season. Self says he thought about his dad after the game was over.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

BILL SELF: He always felt that, you know, nothing was ever given. Everything had to be earned. And so I think he would be very proud of this team because he knows, without question, they earned what happened tonight.

(SOUNDBITE OF CROWD CHEERING)

ECHLIN: The Tar Heels made their own history under first-year coach Hubert Davis. No coach in his first full season on the bench has ever taken a team to the championship game, but Davis wanted to be the champion with the Tar Heels.

For NPR News, I'm Greg Echlin.

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 tar   

n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于

参考例句：

• The roof was covered with tar.屋顶涂抹了一层沥青。
• We use tar to make roads.我们用沥青铺路。

3 byline   

n.署名；v.署名

参考例句：

• His byline was absent as well.他的署名也不见了。
• We wish to thank the author of this article which carries no byline.我们要感谢这篇文章的那位没有署名的作者。

4 poignant   

adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的

参考例句：

• His lyrics are as acerbic and poignant as they ever have been.他的歌词一如既往的犀利辛辣。
• It is especially poignant that he died on the day before his wedding.他在婚礼前一天去世了，这尤其令人悲恸。