On March 30, 2008, Self led Kansas to a win in the Elite Eight over Davidson. KU won by two, 59–57, after a last-second shot by Davidson's Jason Richards drew only backboard. The Jayhawks went on to play the overall #1-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels in the semifinals, who were coached by Self's predecessor at Kansas, Roy Williams. The Jayhawks jumped on the Tar Heels early, leading 40–12 at one point, before recording an authoritative 84–66 victory and advancing to the National Championship game.