The combination of Burke (23 points) and McGary (25) helped put Michigan up by three points with one minute left in overtime. But the Jayhawks were not done and had a final chance to tie or potentially win the game with possession of the ball with eight seconds left.
With time running down, Kansas' Elijah Johnson penetrated toward the basket and appeared to have an open look for a layup. But he tossed the ball all the way back out to Naadir Tharpe, who badly missed a wild three-point shot attempt at the buzzer.
NCAA TOURNAMENT: Updated bracket
As the two teams shook hands, Johnson – who early in the game was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for appearing to hit McGary below the belt – remained in the corner of the court, hands on knees, motionless.
In 2008, Kansas coach Bill Self was on the other side of an improbable rally when the Jayhawks came back from a nine-point deficit in the final few minutes to beat Memphis in the national championship game. On Friday, he watched his Jayhawks squander a similar advantage and conclude a season filled with extreme highs and lows.
Michigan, which made its first Sweet 16 since 1994, sputtered to a 6-6 record down the stretch of a grueling Big Ten schedule. But the Wolverines recovered to easily beat Nate Wolters and South Dakota State and then successfully navigated VCU's frenzied defense in two NCAA tournament games.
Cowboys Stadium was filled with more Jayhawks fans, but many were so far away from the court it hardly created a decisive advantage for Kansas. The Jayhawks did not need one at the game's start. They rushed out to a double-digit lead less than 10 minutes into action by scoring almost at will inside the paint.
Kansas scored its first 22 points in the paint, making 11 of its first 15 field goal attempts. The Jayhawks did not score their first points from the perimeter until McLemore's three-pointer put them up eight points, 25-17, at the 8:48 mark of the first half. McLemore's basket from beyond the arc was another great sign for the Jayhawks because the redshirt freshman had been 0 for 10 from three-point range in a little more than two full NCAA tournament games.
McGary absorbed the hardest blow in the first half; Kansas' Elijah Johnson was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul after he appeared to hit McGary below the belt. The shot did little to deter McGary, who was Michigan's best offensive weapon throughout the first half.
Burke missed all four of his field goal attempts in the half. He had more turnovers (three) than points (zero) at the break. And with the Jayhawks shooting nearly 70% in the half, Michigan was fortunate to be down just six points at halftime.
But Burke and Michigan got the last laugh, and in stunning fashion.
THE BEST PHOTOS OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT SWEET 16 
Oregon Ducks forward Arsalan Kazemi shoots against the Louisville Cardinals in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell reaches for a rebound over Oregon Ducks forward Arsalan Kazemi in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium.]()
Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell reaches for a rebound over Oregon Ducks forward Arsalan Kazemi in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Oregon Ducks forward Carlos Emory drives against Louisville Cardinals center Gorgui Dieng in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium.]()
Oregon Ducks forward Carlos Emory drives against Louisville Cardinals center Gorgui Dieng in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan Wolverines forward Jon Horford , upper left, and Tim Hardaway Jr., right, defend Kansas Jayhawks forward Perry Ellis in the first half at Cowboys Stadium.]()
Michigan Wolverines forward Jon Horford , upper left, and Tim Hardaway Jr., right, defend Kansas Jayhawks forward Perry Ellis in the first half at Cowboys Stadium.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan Wolverines guard Trey Burke shoots over the defense of Kansas Jayhawks center Jeff Withey in the first half at Cowboys Stadium.]()
Michigan Wolverines guard Trey Burke shoots over the defense of Kansas Jayhawks center Jeff Withey in the first half at Cowboys Stadium.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Kansas Jayhawks guard Travis Releford reacts in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Cowboys Stadium.]()
Kansas Jayhawks guard Travis Releford reacts in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Cowboys Stadium.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Louisville Cardinals players Wayne Blackshear (20), Chane Behanan (21) and Russ Smith (2) react in the first half during the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the tournament against the Oregon Ducks at Lucas Oil Stadium.]()
Louisville Cardinals players Wayne Blackshear (20), Chane Behanan (21) and Russ Smith (2) react in the first half during the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the tournament against the Oregon Ducks at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Jamie Rhodes, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan Wolverines guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) drives to the basket past Kansas Jayhawks guard Travis Releford (24) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the NCAA tournament at Cowboys Stadium.]()
Michigan Wolverines guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) drives to the basket past Kansas Jayhawks guard Travis Releford (24) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the NCAA tournament at Cowboys Stadium.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
