Kansas/Memphis: Open Thread
April 7th, 2008 at 5:44 pmBy Chris
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Here we are folks: this is for the whole enchilada. Memphis. Kansas. Both teams deserving of the trophy. Both teams have just as good of a chance at beating the other. We’ll be here with updates as the game progresses, so drop by and let us know your thoughts on what’s going on when Memphis and Kansas tip it off in a couple of hours.
In the meantime, here’s Jerome Lane destroying the backboard — complete with Bill Raftery — you know, just to get you in the mood.
SEND IT IN, JEROME!!!
We’ll be back later, right around tip-time. Stay tuned.
8:00 (CST) - Yay, the broadcast is on. Unfortunately, the Gus Johnson grassroots movement hasn’t worked. There’s Billy “Mr. Happy” Packer.
8:15 - Ty Rogers’ shot against Drake just won the CBS March Madness award for Play of the Tournament. Why don’t we relive it here:
Now imagine if tonight’s game goes like that. 
8:22 - I like the way CBS is doing these player intros… Normally, the bells and whistles kind of annoy me (NFL on Fox), but this seemed to work. And hey, there’s D-Rose.
8:32 - FRENETIC PACE. Lots of players on the floor too. Chalmers will not be able to control Rose either. The athleticism on this particular floor is pretty astounding.
8:40 - Be happy Kansas fans. The refs are calling it for your team. Some really odd calls in the paint considering how much banging is going on at both ends. Tied at 13.
8:46 - KU’s first lead. 15-13. Neither team is lighting it up, but KU is doing a better job on the boards. One and done for Memphis.
8:48 - Calipari now has to coach his team when they are behind. That’s not always good.
8:50 - Memphis’ defense is pure garbage right now.
8:57 - Memphis, like X pointed out, is too worried about the refs, but the way this game is going, it’s easy to see why. Rush WAS over Dorsey’s back and Joey saw his coach react.
9:00 - Regardless of the refs, Kansas IS controlling the rebounds. If Memphis misses, they don’t get many second chances. The Jayhawks are also attacking Memphis’ defense very effectively. They’ve had a number of lobs and if the Tigers don’t adjust, they won’t be able to stop KU all evening.
In other news, My Better is Better than Your Better. Thanks Nike/adidas.
9:05 - Wow. Blocking foul? Memphis forgot how to rebound. Completely. If KU wasn’t turning the ball over, they’d be up by double-digits. Impressive display by the Jayhawks. They are DOMINATING Memphis on the boards.
Memphis is also playing soft. Really soft.
9:11 - Memphis looks lost and you have to credit Kansas. Their defense is stunning. Derrick Rose looks like a freshman and the Tigers inside play is apparently somewhere outside of the Alamodome. KU scores the last five points of the game and is up 33-28.
First time Memphis has trailed all tournament. Will they respond?
9:15 - OK, I just overheard on a local new commercial that a woman’s uterus had turned inside out. WTF? Anyway, for your halftime entertainment, here’s a video I think you should see. The song is Korean and it’s kind of mellow, but the drummer is absolutely INCREDIBLE. Enjoy:
Be back for the second.
9:33 - And we’re back. More aggressive on the first possession by Memphis.
9:35 - Tigers start the second half outscoring KU 8-2.
9:40 - Even though Memphis is more aggressive, KU is still getting anything they want inside and at the rim.
9:45 - FRENETIC. Really much.
9:47 - There’s 11 minutes and some change left in the second half and Derrick Rose, the best player in the tournament the last few games finally gets his first basket. I’d say KU is doing a good job defending him, but that pick and roll isn’t working because he’s getting jumped by the big man and the guard.
9:58 - Say what you will about who wins or loses but this has been a damn entertaining game. Kudos to both teams. Where we stand:
Rose is heating up. Three straight baskets and seven assists to go along with it. Chalmers is the best defender on the floor. Dozier is rebounding but missing free throws. It’s going to be a great finish.
10:05 - KU is anemic from behind the arc.
10:07 - Derrick Rose has announced his presence in a major, MAJOR way and KU can’t score. They’d better find their inner Jimmy Chitwood in a hurry.
10:09 - Derrick Rose banking a 3-pointer as the clock winds down = uh-oh for KU. He was off-balance too.
10:13 - That off-balance 3 is now a 2-point bucket after further review. 7-point Memphis lead.
10:16 - Bill Self is going Hack-A-Shaq. It’s up to you, Memphis.
10:22 - Dorsey fouls out w/1:23 left in the game. I’m curious to see if they keep fouling.
Yep. They are.
10:27 - CDR misses to HUGE free throws but he is absolutely BAILED out by Dozier with a MASSIVE offensive rebound. Timeout. When we come back, Derrick Rose will be at the free throw line with 10.8 left.
10:30 - Overtime. Chalmers with a huge 3 after Memphis chokes at the line.
10:36 - Memphis has quit. They are done. KU is your champion. Those free throws killed them and KU capitalized in overtime.
10:42 - KU by 3 with 50-something seconds left. Is Memphis going to foul or make them score?
10:50 - And the Kansas Jayhawks are your National Champs, ending a 20-year drought. Time for the Team of Destiny talk to begin. Or Danny and the Miracles. Mario Chalmers is your MOP and rightfully so.
I bet Lawrence has just pushed past bedlam status by now. Congrats, KU.
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April 7th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
One of my all time favorites. Nasty.
April 7th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I THINK this game has the potential to be one of the greatest title games ever. Should be an offensive extravanganza of some of the best talent in college this year, and, IMO, there was some serious, next-level talent this year. Memphis 86 Kansas 80 or Kansas 86 Memphis 80. Flip a coin.
April 7th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
ONIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 7th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
What does Dallas Cowboy/Squirrel Nuts think?
April 7th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Memphis.
April 7th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
It doesn’t really matter to me which team wins. I’m just glad UNC went home.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
So the hate has began.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Nice undercut you prick!
April 7th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Memphis by 15 if they win and Kansas by 5 if they win.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Yeah F UNC!!! Hahahaha
April 7th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Keep the UNC hate to a minimum… I don’t want X getting pissed at the entire thread.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
sorry bro
April 7th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I don’t care I’m talking about the game. If anyone wants talk about teams that aren’t playing. That tells me who is better.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
It’s all good Rigs.
On a small note why do these colleges d_ck coaches over by being disrespectful by offering jobs when the other team is still playing. Like how Michigan did Les Miles and now Ok St is doing Bill Self.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Worse yet, why does the media keep asking these coaches about it during the Final Four week. Can’t you wait until tomorrow?
April 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Yeah that is pretty shitty. Those colleges can’t wait another week or two to start talking to these guys? It’s pretty lame.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I’m too slow CSR.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I’ve noticed that Memphis does alot of woofin to the refs instead of playing ball. Doesn’t mean anything but something that shows weakness sometimes. IMO
April 7th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Maybe they are asking them to call it both ways in the paint. Just a thought.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Maybe I guess I need to see Kansas doing it too and as often.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Memphis’ defense sux.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Damn Rush is making CDR look stoopid!
April 7th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
No kidding Chris. None whatsoever.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
CDR has 11 points of his own. That blocking call was awfully suspect. Apparently, this game is in Allen Fieldhouse.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
He could have 20 for all I care. I’ve seen how he has got his points. He his getting his ankle broken by Rush.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
No one on that team is playing a lick of defense. KU’s going to win their 3rd.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
That shot was so nasty. Two defenders in his face. Rex Chapman-esque!
April 7th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
This is turning into one of the better games I’ve watched. I’m all about watching a lot of offense.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
That had to be a foul somewhere. Alright CSR you might be right.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Yes! Offense good!
April 7th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Derrick Rose is AWOL.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Cinnamon roll? That’s something you send your sister.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
No. An English muffin. It’s more proper.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Hey! A foul on KU.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
And there’s Derrick Rose!
April 7th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Unbelievable! You have got to be kidding me.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Did he fall or did CDR trip him?
April 7th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I think he fell. Looked like it to me.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
There’s that whole.free throw thing.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Gotta hit free throws.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Was his toes on the line?
April 7th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
CDR and Derrick Rose should be ashamed.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Why not foul. Game over.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
You’re correct CSR but better plan by Rigs. Dukie V says it all the time foul with a three point lead.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I guess people rooting for the Tigers are pissed. It was a good game. Yes the stars of Memphis choked some but also I will say those guys were tired as hell.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Good game indeed. Gotta hit free throws. Later.
April 8th, 2008 at 12:38 am
The spread on this game was Memphis -2. When Rose knocked down that free throw to make it 63-60, every chalk bettor in Vegas and online had to have been holding their breath…….and then Mario Chalmers punches them in the groin and steals their money!
Great shot, and an awful, soul-crushing beat for everyone who had money on the Tigers.