quote:

Originally posted by jgreen:
I think Kansas is a great team and deserves to be champion...they hit their 3's and made their free throws when it counted, but c'mon, a 9 point lead with 2:12 to go, miss 4 of 5 free throws (several of which were the front end of 1 n 1's) & don't foul the man with the ball with under 10 to go...

Once it got to overtime, Kansas absolutely dominated and deserved it.

Regarding the fouling business - it could and has been argued that Rose hip-checked Collins twice while bringing the ball up, ultimately putting Collins to the floor. An atemmpt at a foul? Perhaps. Besides, putting Kansas on the line to possibly score 2 with no time off the clock, and a likely immediate foul on the subsequent inbounds play puts Memphis on the line with maybe 9 seconds left. Kansas then has the ball in their hands with plenty of time to tie or even win the game. That's a better scenario?

The free throws - an Achilles heel all season. Memphis is one of the worst FT shooting team in the entire NCAA. You knew that flaw had to eventually catch up with them - and it did.

Not that Kansas didn't get some breaks, but so did Memphis (CDR slamming the ball on the court is a technical foul, no matter what Billy Packer says).

It was one of the best NCAA games of all time, and it does a disservice to both teams when the accomplishments of one team or the other is diminished.

God, I love this tournament.

It was a combination of Memphis giving Kansas an opportunity to win and Kansas taking advantage of the opportunity and making the clutch plays to win. Without Memphis falling apart over the last 2 minutes, Kansas does not get the chance - I don't see that this diminishes what they accomplished, they still had to play the D, make the shots etc., but the game should have been finished off by Memphis and was not -

There is no doubt that they should have fouled to prevent the 3 and that Cal should have called a timeout to make sure the players knew what they were supposed to do.

I had the same reaction to the ball slamming, and did not see how that was not a T - I dislike Billy Packer although he was better than usual last night.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jcocktosten:

There is no doubt that they should have fouled to prevent the 3 and that Cal should have called a timeout to make sure the players knew what they were supposed to do.QUOTE]

I'm with you on the timeout. But, Cal is a "hands off" coach that trusts his players to make plays. Perhaps he should rethink that strategy, especially at the end of the game.

Fouling at ten secs to prevent the 3, turns the game into a free throw competition that Kansas is better equipped to win. I'll give Calipari the benefit of the doubt on that one.

I must quit obsessing over this game.

Kansas had what, 30 turnovers in this game? I'm surprised they even made it a game the way they were throwing the ball around. They even did this against NC, but had enough to overcome it.

Slamming the ball...definitely a technical, doesn't matter the reason, contrary to Packer. Also, in overtime when (can't remember who it was) was fouled AFTER he threw the ball to a teammate. Just thrown to the floor....should have been an intentional foul (2 shots and the ball). Not that it made a difference anyway, but it was definitely a flagrant foul.

They might as well have cancelled the OT portion of the game.

Regardless of what happened before, once Kansas hit the three, did anyone think Memphis had a chance?

I didn't.

quote:

Originally posted by Foghorn Leghorn:
Slamming the ball...definitely a technical, doesn't matter the reason.

I disagree....

quote:

Originally posted by Gigond Ass:
Regardless of what happened before, once Kansas hit the three, did anyone think Memphis had a chance?

I didn't.

I agree....

After watching Kansas overcome a powerhouse and well balanced team as Memphis, I have so much more respect for Davidson who took Kansas to the last shot of the game, with a chance to win it.

quote:

Originally posted by Dom'n'Vin'sDad:

quote:

Originally posted by Foghorn Leghorn:
Slamming the ball...definitely a technical, doesn't matter the reason.

I disagree....

OK, let's change it to kicking the ball into the stands because he was upset for missing the freethrows. Or, slamming the ball off the backboard during the timeout.

Both would be T's, as would slamming the ball into the floor. It's not really an interpretive kind of call here.

UGH- more bad news...reports Love & Collison going to NBA and Westbrook to follow.

The Final Four in San Antonio 2008! Four number one seeds and Memphis was leading by 3 with 10 seconds remaining! Wow, I lost!!???

As a Memphis Tiger fan, I feel as if we gave away a win! Still, the Memphis Tigers had a great year at 38-2

In the end, Memphis didn't hit their shots, and Kansas did, and Bill Self was classy in saying; "sometimes you win games you're not suppose to win"!

I was at the game and I was confident thoughout the 2nd half that we were going to win it all. 4 minutes left, and almost there; 2 mintues left and we were up 9! 17 seconds left and Dozier got the offensive rebound. 10.8 seconds left and we're at the line with a final opportunity to put the game out of reach and win in all, but we only hit one of the two foul shots and the score was 63-60! Still, all we had to do was----foul and let Kansas shoot their two foul shots.

What?? no foul when you're up by 3 with only 10.8 seconds left in the game???

When Kansas hit the tying 3 pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining in the game, and with Dorsey already fouled out of the game, I knew it was over! The Memphis team was very fatigued and it showed! We had wins over Texas Arlington, Mississippi State, Michigan State, Texas, and UCLA, but Kansas was not to be!

So the congratulations goes to Kansas, who also had a huge number of really classy fans attending. The Jayhawks had a wonderful sports year in Football, and now they've won the 2008 NCAA Basketball Championship---Fantastic!

BTW, San Antonio did a wonderful job hosting this Final 4! Other than the hotels gouging prices with most all rates in the $300-$1000+ per night plus a 4 night requirement, every other thing was outstanding and far better than anticipated! The "River Walk" area was a festive meandering group of shops, boutiques, and restaurants in downtown San Antonio, and provided a constant party for the four days. It seemed as if it was designed by the Disney Corpn. Outstanding!

No surprise here.

quote:

Originally posted by jgreen:
UGH- more bad news...reports Love & Collison going to NBA and Westbrook to follow.

If that's true, Oregon might actually have a chance against UCLA!

quote:

Originally posted by duckfaninmt:

quote:

Originally posted by jgreen:
UGH- more bad news...reports Love & Collison going to NBA and Westbrook to follow.

If that's true, Oregon might actually have a chance against UCLA!

Keep dreaming buddy..you guys lose (I think) Leunen, Taylor, Hairston...that leaves a 5'2" point guard.

Even if we lose all three, we have Shipp, Mbah Moute, Aboya, Keefe, Roll and 4 excellent freshman. All 4 played on the USA squad that just beat the world team at the Hoops Summit in Portland. Holiday is a stud...and I think Drew Gordon will be a big surprise. He had two major injuries his senior year and fell off the radar a bit. The other two guards, Anderson & Lee are really good too.

If Love, Collison & Westbrook do go pro, we wont be a preseason top 10 team but by the end of the year, we'll be there.

quote:

Originally posted by jgreen:

quote:

Originally posted by duckfaninmt:

quote:

Originally posted by jgreen:
UGH- more bad news...reports Love & Collison going to NBA and Westbrook to follow.

If that's true, Oregon might actually have a chance against UCLA!

Keep dreaming buddy..you guys lose (I think) Leunen, Taylor, Hairston...that leaves a 5'2" point guard.

Even if we lose all three, we have Shipp, Mbah Moute, Aboya, Keefe, Roll and 4 excellent freshman. All 4 played on the USA squad that just beat the world team at the Hoops Summit in Portland. Holiday is a stud...and I think Drew Gordon will be a big surprise. He had two major injuries his senior year and fell off the radar a bit. The other two guards, Anderson & Lee are really good too.

If Love, Collison & Westbrook do go pro, we wont be a preseason top 10 team but by the end of the year, we'll be there.

Hey, a guy can dream can't he?

You're right though, all three of the players you mentioned are gone. I think the majority of the remaining players were freshmen or sophomores so it'll definitely be a young squad hitting the court next season.

Hey I love your optimism...no reason to be down 7 months before the season starts. And who knows, maybe next years Ducks will be over achievers and pleasantly surprise you.

Love has a news conference today to announce his intentions...gee, I wonder. But if for some reason he decides to stay, I'll be doing a little jig.

quote:

Originally posted by Foghorn Leghorn:
OK, let's change it to kicking the ball into the stands because he was upset for missing the freethrows. Or, slamming the ball off the backboard during the timeout.

Both would be T's, as would slamming the ball into the floor. It's not really an interpretive kind of call here.

Entirely different scenarios - which do allow for a bit of interpretation....

Underclassmen who have made themselves eligible for the NBA Draft.

Tubby Smith got the ninth rated recruiting class for next year nationally. Only Ohio State had a better recruiting class in the big 10. I hope we make the tournament next year and win a couple games. The Big 10 hasn't done to well lately, but for Ohio State making the final with Oden.

MSU will be better, despite the loss of Neitzel. And I think they have players who are likely to stay in school 3 or 4 years.

Purdue should be tough next year.

Wisconsin is always good, if not great.

Sometimes, a "top" recruiting class doesn't mean much, especially if some of those prize recruits leave early. You need star players, sure. But you also need someone who can shoot when the star is double-teamed, but doesn't pout when he's not THE go-to guy.

The loss of Neitzel will be a plus, he is absolutely terrible. I'm an Iowa grad but I still root for Izzo because he's a tough guy and a good coach. And they can still represent the big ten well in the ncaa tournament!