What a great game and what a tough way to lose for Memphis. You have to credit Bill Self for coming up with the strategy to start sending Memphis to the line with over two minutes left in the game, for his strategy to get the Memphis bigs in foul trouble and for switching to a zone defense at times coming down the stretch. Finally, a coach goes out on a limb in an effort to lead his team to victory.
I kind of feel bad for the Memphis kids today because for how much people don't want to like them....they seem like a good bunch of hard working kids. Both teams played their butts off and we (the fans) were the recipients of 45 minutes of pure entertainment. The Lovely Dentist and I were watching the game at my house and at one point she said, "I'm not even sure what's happening but it's fun to watch."
Kudos to the Kansas players for not giving up when they were down towards the end of the game. I was about fifteen seconds away from turning off the game and going to bed but a stolen in-bounds pass and a three-pointer later....it was on like Donkey Kong. I loved seeing Brandon Rush, who at times has been called apathetic, going up for the dunk "with authority" early in the game with no regard to his body and it was great to see the little Sherron Collins prove to the nation that he has a heart the size of Wyoming.
Agreed. That was a terrific game, one for the ages (OT!). And it's sad, but it had to come to this: Memphis' well known weakness was it's poor FT shooting (59% on the season!), and you knew someone was going to exploit that at some point during this run. It's just unfortunate for Memphis that it came at the worst possible moment.
And I do think playing in a weak conference set them up for that, too. I know Memphis played a tough out of conference schedule, but most of those games were at the beginning of the season... when it's crunch-time, and all the teams you are playing are gelling, that's when your weaknesses are exposed, and you get a chance to work on them (or around them). Memphis never really got that opportunity, and so their FTs, along with the zone defense (which slowed Rose down a bit) were too much for them to overcome.
Mega respect to Kansas for pulling off a big upset. I actually thought this one was a bigger upset than the Giants over the Pats, but what do I know?...
Hoosiernation
said
I was giving the game to Memphis in the middle of the 2nd half when Kansas pulled a box and one out. That gave Rose an open look and a couple of baskets which got him going. The box and one should be outlawed in every coaching book unless you are in high school or lower level. I don't think I would call Kansas winning a big upset. Maybe in the sense of the end of game situation. I think it was very obvious last night that not playing in tough and close games throughout the season hurt Memphis. Practicing those situations is one thing but doing it in crunch time is another.
I can't find fault really with anything about these two teams from their scheduling to their school colors. I mean, it went to OT. If these teams played ten times, they'd each probably win five. Just a very good game played at a very fast pace.
even though i picked memphis to win (along with almost everyone else), i don't see this as an upset at all. remember, most of us didn't expect memphis to even get to the final four, nevermind winning it all. plus, this kansas team managed to bang out 37 wins this year. they're not quite underdogs.
and to all the little kids out there with big basketball dreams... PRACTICE YOUR FUNDAMENTALS!
Bruce Paine
said
Memphis spent all season trying to convince the nation that they were for real. Tey were questioned a lot for the schedule and such. I did enjoy the their run, though. They were tremendously athletic and had lots of motor and fight. In the end, though, if you can't win a free throw shooting contest you shouldn't be in the NCAA. There is no excuse for the poor FT shooting. If you have such a glaring weakness you can always expect a good coach to exploit it. We may have seen more of that strategy if they hadn't beaten everybody they played so badly.
Again, hard to say they weren't 'for real' when they were the second best team in the nation last night.
I thought the Memphis kids were going to make those FT's with the way they were walking up to the line so confidently. Just wasn't meant to be I guess.
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Agreed. That was a terrific game, one for the ages (OT!). And it's sad, but it had to come to this: Memphis' well known weakness was it's poor FT shooting (59% on the season!), and you knew someone was going to exploit that at some point during this run. It's just unfortunate for Memphis that it came at the worst possible moment.
And I do think playing in a weak conference set them up for that, too. I know Memphis played a tough out of conference schedule, but most of those games were at the beginning of the season... when it's crunch-time, and all the teams you are playing are gelling, that's when your weaknesses are exposed, and you get a chance to work on them (or around them). Memphis never really got that opportunity, and so their FTs, along with the zone defense (which slowed Rose down a bit) were too much for them to overcome.
Mega respect to Kansas for pulling off a big upset. I actually thought this one was a bigger upset than the Giants over the Pats, but what do I know?...
I was giving the game to Memphis in the middle of the 2nd half when Kansas pulled a box and one out. That gave Rose an open look and a couple of baskets which got him going. The box and one should be outlawed in every coaching book unless you are in high school or lower level. I don't think I would call Kansas winning a big upset. Maybe in the sense of the end of game situation. I think it was very obvious last night that not playing in tough and close games throughout the season hurt Memphis. Practicing those situations is one thing but doing it in crunch time is another.
I can't find fault really with anything about these two teams from their scheduling to their school colors. I mean, it went to OT. If these teams played ten times, they'd each probably win five. Just a very good game played at a very fast pace.
even though i picked memphis to win (along with almost everyone else), i don't see this as an upset at all. remember, most of us didn't expect memphis to even get to the final four, nevermind winning it all. plus, this kansas team managed to bang out 37 wins this year. they're not quite underdogs.
and to all the little kids out there with big basketball dreams... PRACTICE YOUR FUNDAMENTALS!
Memphis spent all season trying to convince the nation that they were for real. Tey were questioned a lot for the schedule and such. I did enjoy the their run, though. They were tremendously athletic and had lots of motor and fight. In the end, though, if you can't win a free throw shooting contest you shouldn't be in the NCAA. There is no excuse for the poor FT shooting. If you have such a glaring weakness you can always expect a good coach to exploit it. We may have seen more of that strategy if they hadn't beaten everybody they played so badly.
Again, hard to say they weren't 'for real' when they were the second best team in the nation last night.
I thought the Memphis kids were going to make those FT's with the way they were walking up to the line so confidently. Just wasn't meant to be I guess.