NCAA - Memphis or Kansas?

[West Coast Duffer]

Free throws were a well known weakness for Memphis and it bit them in the ass.

[mddubya]

Does crow taste better fried or baked?






WTG Kansas.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by 5iron

Rock Chalk Jayhawk. end of story ( and i dont even know what that means)

A chemistry Professor at KU developed a cheer in the 1800's for his science club, that simulated the sound of a train rolling down the tracks. Later an English Professor thought "Rock Chalk" would be more appropriated because it rhymed, but more importantly it was symbolic of the Chalky Limestone formations on Mount Oread, which is where the campus is located.

Are you sorry you mentioned that now. I will tell you, there is very little I have ever seen at sporting events that is as deafening and eerie as hearing that inside Allen Field House. I would probably compare it to when UNLV used to shoot off fireworks (may still) inside their field house prior to a game.

Originally Posted by MGP

KU had their ups and downs through the elite 8 but the one constant that kept them in every game this season was their smothering defense.

I found myself screaming at the TV every time KU went to a zone defense. For whatever reason all the analysts, and both coaches thought KU should abandon their Man-to-Man Defense that got them there. They started with a zone, did poorly. Then every time they switched to zone (at half and late in the game), the tone of the game would change. I just can't picture KU playing a zone defense, and I think after they review the tapes, they may feel the same way.

Originally Posted by West Coast Duffer

Free throws were a well known weakness for Memphis and it bit them in the ass.

This was obviously the difference in the game. For about the last five years, KU has always had the Achilles heel as the tournament went on with poor free throw shooting, as well as forcing the 3 pointers and abandoning their inside game too early on their losses this year, and was almost the case on Saturday.

They went 14-15 from the line, and I believe only attempted 2 three pointers while down in the last 5 minutes. One off the inbounds steal that changed the momentum of the game, and one for the tie at the end.

Even Memphis shot about 75 from the line over the course of the game, with exception to the last minute or two of regulation with the game on the line, when they went 1 for 5.

[warbirdlover]

I thought it was an excellent coaching tactic by Self to force Memphis into freethrows. One of the all time great championship games IMHO.

Now what's this crap about Self going to his alma mater? He would be an idiot. Kansas is one of the premier b-ball schools in the country.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by warbirdlover

Now what's this crap about Self going to his alma mater? He would be an idiot. Kansas is one of the premier b-ball schools in the country.

A Billionaire sponsor, the one who paid for their stadium, is pushing for this. The timing of Suttons firing and bringing this up at that point was in very poor taste and may likely have cost them any chance IMO. Kinda compare this to what Michigan did with the LSU coach prior to the Championship game, I think had Michigan waited they would have him now. Not sure OSU is as luring as Michigan was for Football. Although I imagine Self will be getting a hefty raise by staying at Kansas as a result of this. Here is an interesting article about the development support what you said, and kinda sums up how I feel:
ESPN - Self should ignore the dollars and stay at Kansas - Columnist
.. and one on Self comments indicating they should likely look elsewhere.
ESPN - Self wants to stay at Kansas but won't rule out talking to alma mater - Men's College Basketball

Two years ago, I likely would have said good riddance, but then OSU likely wouldn't have made the offer two years ago. Instead though, KU showed their faith in Self by offering a Contract Extension. I guess I kinda feel the same way about this when Larry Brown left for San Antonio weeks follow their last championship. Sad to see him go, but unlike most of the KU faithful I didn't hold it against him. I was just thankful he brought them a National Championship prior to leaving. Then the same faithful rode the AD for taking Brown's advice and bringing in Roy Williams. Then only a year later they rode the AD about what he was doing to keep Williams. Kinda just gotta go with the flow I guess and be happy with the Championship and just consider with whatever happens, KU Basketball won't be going away anytime soon. I guess now I hope he stays because it seems he has grown well into this program, and I think his style of Basketball is very suiting to the KU philosophy as well as their ability to recruit.

edit 1 - ... well, that and the fact that I need insert my favorite Oklahoma Line: "If I owned hell and Oklahoma, I would live in hell and rent out Oklahoma"

edit 2 - Another interesting thought, should this happen I'm not sure they would look any further than their existing bench, in Danny Manning who I am sure part of his reasoning on becoming an assistant was to at one point down the line become the head coach. Although I imagine his idea was that it would be many years.

[Youngun5]

who was favored in this game? and by how many?

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Youngun5

who was favored in this game? and by how many?

Memphis was favored by 2. The Over/Under was 147.5

[Pa Jayhawk]

Self turned down the OSU offer without even talking salary.
ESPN - Self tells Oklahoma State he's not leaving Kansas - Men's College Basketball

Kinda nice he didn't even use this as a bartering chip. I imagine that may benefit him more than had that been the case.

[Youngun5]

he's pushing for upgrades to allen fieldhouse as well as the bball team's housing and practice facilities as well.

i've watched the championship game 3 times all the way through now...1 as it happened, and 2 on my vhs..... one of the top 3 college games of all time, imo. shame the whole team is gonna be gone next year....