When Bill Self claimed in the wake of Kansas’ 75-68 win over Memphis that if the two teams were to play 10 times, they’d probably split the series, he might’ve been right on the money. However, on this occasion, Memphis’ struggles from the charity stripe cost them the National Championship. The Tigers failed to sink 4 of their last 5 foul shots in regulation, while Kansas topped off a ferocious comeback with a Mario Chalmers three-pointer to force O.T. — a shot that will be replayed to death over the next 30 years and with good reason. Chalmers connected in spite of Derrick Rose doing everything short of putting a blindfold on the Jayhawks guard.
I don’t know if John Calipari is headed to the Knicks or not —- but I know I’d more impressed if he was bringing Rose with him. As for rumors Self might be wooed to his alma mater, it would be useful to keep in mind some of these zillionaires are difficult to work for.
I feel for the Memphis Tigers, as having spent my life a KU fan, I can say that their folding was eerily Jayhawkesque. But, the conclusion goes to underscore why March Madness is as close to World Cup Fever that we’ll ever enjoy in the US and college basketball fans got a classic regardless of one’s allegiances.
As if we didn’t get enough catharsis out of the UNC victory, that was one for the ages for the KU faithful. Much will be made of the folding of Memphis under the weight, but there’s just as much a case to be made that KU executed under pressure. Super Mario has been clutch all year, so that he made the shot was no surprise. That he actually got to take it is another matter. Memphis just looked too bewildered to commit a game ending foul and Collins looked like he was tripping his way to game-ending turnover when he shovelpassed for the wildest assist of his career.
I really don’t think Bill Self will go… he’ll get his massive payday courtesy of KU and our own T. Boone Pickens (Dana Anderson). Plus, there should be enough Chalmers jerseys sold to cover the pay raise for a few years at least. The big difference between 2003 and 2008 is that Al Bohl isn’t the AD. If not for him, Roy would probably still be in Lawrence.
The animosity and ill-feeling towards Ol’ Roy has subsided more than the media would let one know. The KC Star took a poll prior to the Final Four and the outcome was 70% would shake his hand and thank him for his years on Mt. Oread (but around 10% would have pushed him into the Riverwalk, to be fair and balanced). One can’t help but appreciate his determination to not let the bad feelings dent his own affection for KU. It was heartwarming to see him in the stands with a Jayhawk logo amongst the fans… a move which I’m sure he knew wouldn’t play well back Chapel Hill, but that is Roy to the core and to his credit. Last night’s victory closes the chapter on that saga, thankfully.
up nine with two minutes to go and they lost…. heartbreaker for memphis. hit any one of those missed free throws and that shot from supernintendo chalmers is a moot point.