Live Blog: Jayhawks celebrate NCAA national championship victory

Update 12:29 a.m. | Celebrations on Massachusetts Street continue after midnight.

Different members of the KU community, coming together to share the joy of victory.

One fan was even crowd surfing in a shopping cart.

Though the Lawrence Police Department advised against it.

As the celebrations continue, the cheers in Lawrence are sure to echo through the early hours of the morning.

Update 11:50 p.m. | Even Big Jay took time to soak in the national title.

Update 11:32 p.m. | While Jayhawks fans in Lawrence took to the streets to celebrate, fans in New Orleans matched their energy.

Update 11:26 p.m. | The Lawrence Police Department joined in on celebrating with Jayhawks fans.

Update 11:08 p.m. | The Jayhawks hoisted the National Championship Trophy overhead following the victory.

Associated Press

Meanwhile, fans in Lawrence were having celebrations of their own.

Update 10:53 p.m. | KU fans and community members are celebrating the Jayhawks' NCAA championship victory.

Fans took to Massachusetts Street to celebrate with a victory chorus.

Former President of the United States Barack Obama gave the Jayhawks his congratulations.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also congratulated the team for their victory.

Congrats!! 💪🏽💪🏽 @KUHoops

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 5, 2022

Update 10:40 p.m. | The Kansas Jayhawks are your NCAA men's national champions.

After being down 69-68, KU rallied back and took a 72-69 lead. The Jayhawks' defense applied stayed strong to secure the lead and the team's victory.

Update 10:28 p.m. | KU leads 68-67 in final two minutes of the championship game.

Update 10:08 p.m. | A three-pointer from Remy Martin helped the Jayhawks reach a 56-50 lead, but a long jumper from the Tarheels reminded Kansas that it is still anyone's game.

The game is tied up, 57 all, with 8 minutes left on the clock.

The excitement of KU fans has been relit as the team is neck and neck with UNC.

Update 10:00 p.m. | The Jayhawks have rallied back, bringing things to a one-point game after a 12 point run over three minutes and 15 seconds.

Update 9:47 p.m. | Kansas starts the half on the attack with a 12-5 run, bringing it to an eight-point game.

Update 9:17 p.m. | The Jayhawks went nearly four minutes without scoring a point. The Tarheels lead Kansas 40-25 at half time.

Update 9:08 p.m. | Late in the first half, the scoring drought continued for the Jayhawks as they went nearly four minutes without scoring a point. This prompted a 16-0 run by the Tarheels.

Update 9:03 p.m. | Following a 10-0 run by the Tarheels, the Jayhawks fell behind 32-22 with 3:46 left in the first half.

Update 8:57 p.m. | Two back-to-back threes from Tarheels forward Brady Manek gave UNC a 28-22 lead with 5:05 left in the first half.

Update 8:49 p.m. | After going on a 7-0 run to start the game and leading 9-3 at one point, the Jayhawks fell behind 22-18 with 7:53 left in the first half.

Update 8:25 p.m. | The Jayhawks got off to a hot start and fans in the Power and Light District are loving it.

Update 8:20 p.m. | The KU men's basketball team has tipped off aganst the University of Carolina men's basketball team in the NCAA Championship.

Update 8:12 p.m. | Minutes away from tip off, Jayhawks fans are gathering at KC Power & Light waiting for the game to begin.

Meanwhile in Lawrence, police are giving final briefings and assignments before game time.

Update 7:55 p.m. | Ochai Agbaji's family is attending the championship, cheering the Kansas guard on for his final collegiate game.

As Agbaji's family prepares to show their support, KU basketball prepares to face UNC as game time approaches.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes showed his support for the Jayhawks, wishing the team good luck.

Update 6.55 p.m. | From Lawrence, to Kansas City, Missouri and to New Orleans, the celebrations were in full swing for Kansas fans.

Many Kansas fans made their way to the Power and Light District in downtown KCMO to watch the big game.

In Lawrence, Mass Street was also flooded with fans less than two hours before tip-off.

Update 6:19 p.m. | University of Kansas students are attending the Jayhawks' NCAA Men's Championship Game at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Certain KU pass holders were offered $47 tickets on a first come, first serve basis.

Update 5:56 p.m. | Security measures are in place in Lawrence along Massachusetts Street, including a tank of 3,000 gallons of water in one strip of blockades.

Update 5:16 p.m. | A line has also formed outside of Allen Fieldhouse as fans prepare for a watch party in the arena.

Doors open at 7:15 p.m. and the event is free for fans to attend.

Update 4:51 p.m. | With roughly three-and-a-half hours to go until the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, businesses are preparing for a Jayhawks victory.

Sunflower Outdoor and Bike, a bike shop and coffee bar in Lawrence, Kansas, tells KSHB 41 News anchor Dia Wall that it plans to stay open until around 1 or 2 a.m. following the game.

Rally House told KSHB 41 News that in the event KU wins the championship, its Kansas City and Lawrence locations will be opening at 8 a.m. Tuesday, and will be anticipating excited fans.

Update 4:14 p.m. | The Lawrence Police Department said it's expecting at least 100,000 KU fans on Mass Street.

LPD Chief Rich Lockhart said 300 police officers from around the state of Kansas will be assisting.

Lockhart also said a drone team will be monitoring the area from above.

The department had no issues during KU's Final Four game Saturday, he said.

Update 3:32 p.m. | Fans are bound to get hungry during the game.

In that case, Carl the Carryout was spotted in Lawrence to assist them.

Original story | Kansas Jayhawks' fans waited for hours in line ahead of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, to catch the game at a bar in Lawrence.

KSHB 41 News reporter Megan Abundis reported that line to get into Brothers Bar & Grill wrapped down a street and around the block.

And to keep busy while waiting for the big game, fans also played the UNO card game on sidewalks.

It's not just humans who are ready to flood Mass Street should the Jayhawks win.

KSHB 41 reporter Dan Cohen spotted a dog decked out in KU gear.