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4/7/08
Kansas vs Memphis: National Championship Game Predictions and Open Thread
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First things first -- let's give Ken Pomeroy a pat on the back. The #1 and #2 in his rating will be squaring off tonight.

Based on how Kansas and Memphis played Saturday night this could go down as one of the most entertaining championship games in a long time. I think we can also assume that Billy Packer won't be calling this game over with seven minutes remaining the first half.

Now that we've reached this point, it shouldn't be too big of a surprise the two deepest teams are playing on the final night. Both should go 9-10 deep again tonight, especially considering the surprising defensive performance of the Jayhawks Cole Aldrich on Saturday night. Those blocked shots will be needed, especially on the help side against Joey Dorsey and Shawn Taggert. Because of his emergence we'll give the depth advantage to KU.

The matchup that swings furthest to Memphis is clearly the backcourt. Can the shorter Kansas guards contain Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Robert and Antonio Anderson on the dribble drive all night. Rose dominated Darren Collison Saturday, and we suspect he'll get his again tonight ... it's just a matter of how much damage is done. However, Collison didn't have a lot of help behind him. A constant rotation of Collins, Robinson, Chalmers and ever Rush guarding the Memphis point guard should keep him in check.

Outside of Rose's point total/ability to create in the lane, Kansas' three point shooting should be the bellwether for a victory. Not having the same size/length they'll be forced to stay outside often -- Rush and Chalmers are hitting, it'll be a fun night in Lawrence, Kansas.

Both teams can and will score in bunches, but we'll take the best defensive team in the country. Picked Kansas to win before this started, so I can't turn my back on them now. We'll go with some sort of Jim Nantz "We're not in Kansas, anymore / Believe in your Self" line at the end of the night. Kansas 81, Memphis 79.

Share your predictions and your witty banter throughout the game.
73 comments
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4/7/08
4
I'm zeeing 3 or 2 times right now, but this seems to be an exiticngt game. Go jawywaks!

4/7/08
1
I picked Kansas at the beginning of the season so I am sticking with them. Their inside depth should get Dorsey in foul trouble. If Dorsey can stay out of foul trouble, Memphis will be able to slow down some of Kansas' inside game. If the game is close and anyone other than Rose or CDR shoots the free throws, then Memphis will be in trouble, I will go with:

KU 74, Memphis 69

On another note, since I have noticed on the recruiting leader board the fact that I am only one who was recruiting legit members, I am looking forward to winning the $100 Best Buy Gift Card!

4/7/08
1
I am debating if I am even going to watch the game. I avoided college basketball talk before the Carolina game and my tv hasn't crossed any news channel since the game. Longest time ever without sports, although I watched the Golden State game yesterday. I might wait a few minutes into the game just so I can avoid anything about the Final Four.

82-76, Memphis. Watch CDR and Rose to be the only ones going to the line, again.

4/7/08
2
Memphis is overrated garbage ... but you picked them to the finals? I take it you also think all the other teams on that side of the bracket "suck"

4/7/08
3
Look we will all win, if this is Billy Packard's last game. Hopefully Gus Johnson will fill in for an exciting 2nd half as Billy and Jim are eaten by Pierre Niles at half time.

4/7/08
1
The biggest reason why Memphis beat UCLA was CDR's and Rose's size advantage over Russell Westbrook and Collison.  Rush matches up well with Rush, and Rose will have 3 different guys defending him.  That and theres a huge difference between containing Kevin Love and containing Kaun, Arthur, Jackson, and Aldrich.  Memphis will keep it close, but going with Kansas 79-73.

4/7/08
0
I'm with you on the building Memphis bandwagon, but I'd like to think they've earned it. I like nothing about Memphis and Calipari, and called them overrated all year ... until the Tourney started. They're good and we might as well admit it.

4/7/08
1
I found this this afternoon. There is a formula for determining when a lead is actually safe and the team will win:
  • Take the number of points one team is ahead.
  • Subtract three.
  • Add a half-point if the team that is ahead has the ball, and subtract a half-point if the other team has the ball. (Numbers less than zero become zero.)
  • Square that.
  • If the result is greater than the number of seconds left in the game, the lead is safe.
www.slate.com/id/2185975

The creator of that formula says in the article that his editor could only find one instance where that formula didn't work. Billy Packer could have used this for the Kansas/UNC game instead of being just a braying jackass.

4/7/08
0
So tornado/thunderstorm watch in Oklahoma tonight means that I get the weather map in the corner and the occasional cut in to tell me it is storming.

4/7/08
0
(Edited by Janse)
Memphis (Syracuse) beats Kansas tonight behind freshman phenom Derrick Rose (Carmelo Anthony) who declares for the NBA draft shortly after the season is over.

Bill Self (Roy Williams) leaves Kansas to return to his alma mater Oklahoma State (North Carolina) who struggled this season and lost in the NIT Tournament.

Something I stole, thoughts? Even Oklahoma fans are thinking they have a chance at Self. ...and as I am reading, apparently Wibon said the same on PTI, I didn't watch so I can not confirm.

4/7/08
1
Very entertaining first 12 minutes.

4/7/08
0
Jubanator14 wrote:
Very entertaining first 12 minutes.
Indeed.

4/7/08
0
Great first half, let's hope the second half doesn't disappoint.

4/7/08
0
Did Rose load up on Gummy Bears before the game. He has been non-existent.

4/7/08
0
That Bob Knight commercial was so ridiculous that it was absolutely hilarious.

4/7/08
0
MrNFL wrote:
That Bob Knight commercial was so ridiculous that it was absolutely hilarious.
Is that your first time seeing it? It had me rollin when I first saw it.

4/7/08
0
Loved Packer's comment during the first half that Rose and Collins must have had some great playground games in Chicago growing up.  Borderline racist and 100% Packer.  Here come's my jinx.  A team I root for might actually win it all.  KU is too tough inside. 

4/7/08
0
Why is Clark screaming at half time. This game is exciting enough Clark, chill out.

4/7/08
0
Jubanator14 wrote:
Is that your first time seeing it? It had me rollin when I first saw it.
I hadn't seen that before.  Shows how oblivious I am.

4/7/08
0
MrNFL wrote:
I hadn't seen that before.  Shows how oblivious I am.
Well they just started running it, and a Heidi Klum one, during Saturday's games.

4/7/08
0
Jubanator14 wrote:
Well they just started running it, and a Heidi Klum one, during Saturday's games.
Makes sense, I was at the United Center during the end of game 1 and most of game 2.  (The Bulls are so bad that the best basketball I saw at the United Center was on a TV in a restaurant)

4/7/08
0
That was a disappointing interview from Roy Williams. Very disappointing.

4/7/08
0
How's everyone enjoying the Big Ten officiating. How on Earth was Ed Hightower allowed to call the finals?

4/7/08
0
CriticalFanatic wrote:
How's everyone enjoying the Big Ten officiating. How on Earth was Ed Hightower allowed to call the finals?
They pretty much suck. Way too inconsistent.

4/7/08
0
So a fade-a-way bank three is the shot of the tournament and truly amazing Jim? I am going to go with lucky.

4/7/08
0
It is a fade-a-way bank two point shot so now it is amazing, not lucky.

Rose has had to have done enough this tournament to be the number one pick in the draft.

4/7/08
0
(Edited by Janse)
Part of me wants to see this come down to the last shot because who doesn't like close games. The other part wants me to see Memphis win this already because I just do not like Kansas. I hope both happens.

Kansas within 2 with one minute left.

4/7/08
0
Awful possession by Memphis, but a quick stop the other way may save them.

Lets' see if the free throws kill them.

4/7/08
0
Double clunk!   And the rebound!!!

4/7/08
2
Why was there no T there? It doesn't matter Packer if you are mad at yourself or not, you can't do that.

4/7/08
0
What did I say, Memphis has shot great because basically Rose and CDR are the only ones going to the line. They also have yet to shoot free throws in a pressure situation such as now, three straight misses. You can shut me up if both go down right here.

4/7/08
0
Clunk!   One possession it will stay!

4/7/08
0
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4/7/08
1
Overtime + Championship Game = Awesome.

4/7/08
0
I wish I was watching this right now...

4/7/08
0
Amazing how something like that can be easily avoided just by making simple free throws.

4/7/08
0
Not to toot my own horn but I kinda called it with the first post in the thread. Packer is still a braying jackass.

4/7/08
0
I really do not want to see Kansas win this.

Memphis will never live down missed free throws no matter how well they shot it before the pressure came. Part of me wants to see a Calipari interview with Memphis losing.

4/7/08
4
What a shot by Supernintendo Chalmers.

4/7/08
0
Yeah Packer because those guys remember the 1957 Triple OT game. Jackass.

4/7/08
0
It's over. I will be greatly surprised if Kansas finds a way to lose this one.

4/7/08
0
gearhead wrote:
What a shot by Supernintendo Chalmers.
Hooray obscure Simpsons' references!

4/7/08
4
I'm zeeing 3 or 2 times right now, but this seems to be an exiticngt game. Go jawywaks!

4/7/08
0
gearhead wrote:
What a shot by Supernintendo Chalmers.
Hooray obscure Simpsons' references!

I've been annoying my brother all night by saying "SKINNER!!!" when he has had the ball.

4/7/08
0
Jubanator14 wrote:
They pretty much suck. Way too inconsistent.
So John, about those free throws ...

Let's see how many radio shows he goes on tomorrow talking about how unimportant they are.

4/7/08
0
kantwistaye wrote:
I'm zeeing 3 or 2 times right now, but this seems to be an exiticngt game. Go jawywaks!
Give me your keys...

4/7/08
0
kantwistaye wrote:
I'm zeeing 3 or 2 times right now, but this seems to be an exiticngt game. Go jawywaks!
You get the funny only because you are drunk on a Monday.

4/7/08
0
Jubanator14 wrote:
You get the funny only because you are drunk on a Monday.
I gave him a smart for the same reasoning.

4/7/08
0
Umm.. You didn't need a three pointer right now, Memphis.

4/7/08
2
"They've gone almost 6 minutes without a basket from the floor"

Where else would they get a basket from? The roof? A blimp?

4/7/08
0
kantwistaye wrote:
I'm zeeing 3 or 2 times right now, but this seems to be an exiticngt game. Go jawywaks!
I hate you because I can't get drunk tonight (stupid 8 am work). Of course, I'll still recovering from Thursday, when I somehow managed to be hungover before I fell asleep.

4/7/08
0
(Edited by MrNFL)
gearhead wrote:
I hate you because I can't get drunk tonight (stupid 8 am work). Of course, I'll still recovering from Thursday, when I somehow managed to be hungover before I fell asleep.
As the Kansas player just trips.  Yikes!

Why was that a response to Gearhead?  Hmmm...

4/7/08
0
Sure, now you don't need to go for a three. Yet with 1:30 left and down 4, Pecker is calling for a three pointer.

4/7/08
0
Free Throws.  That's all it would've taken to win a National Championship. 

4/7/08
0
Janse wrote:
Sure, now you don't need to go for a three. Yet with 1:30 left and down 4, Pecker is calling for a three pointer.
I was saying the exact same thing.

4/7/08
0
"Rock, Chalk, Championship"

I thought Nantz would have a better line than that.

4/7/08
0
So, Bill Self gets the monkey off this back, Memphis will never be taken seriously again, Supernintendo Chalmers never will need to buy a drink in Lawrence again, and I've now seeing the same Barack Obama ad for the 264th time (seriously, don't go to PA right now). But the most important thing...

Bill James doesn't have to shave his beard now.

4/7/08
0
Jubanator14 wrote:
"Rock, Chalk, Championship"

I thought Nantz would have a better line than that.
Why?

4/7/08
0
One of the best games in awhile.

4/7/08
0
(Edited by Jubanator14)
When will the recruiting award be given out? I had around 40 recruits and they were legit unlike the ones in front of me. Congrats to Keeter for winning the Wii also.

4/7/08
2
gearhead wrote:
So, Bill Self gets the monkey off this back, Memphis will never be taken seriously again, Supernintendo Chalmers never will need to buy a drink in Lawrence again, and I've now seeing the same Barack Obama ad for the 264th time (seriously, don't go to PA right now). But the most important thing...

Bill James doesn't have to shave his beard now.
Supernintendo Chalmers with the MOP



4/8/08
0
Jubanator14 wrote:
Supernintendo Chalmers with the MOP


Skiiiiiiner! LOL

4/8/08
0
Bill Self to OkSt. Count on it.

4/8/08
0
Janse wrote:
Bill Self to OkSt. Count on it.
Oh yeah. You can count that $10 Million times.

4/8/08
0
Even the ladder that they are climbing to cut the nets down is an official sponsor of the NCAA.

4/8/08
0
I've been a fan of the Tigers for a while... But with a game that good I don't even mind having them lose. Although their top 3 players are prjected to go to the draft... So I'll never see them win it all.

4/8/08
1

Rock Chalk Baby, love the underdog role

 

Chalmers is the man and Memphis sucked it up at the free throw line

 

I think Dorsey's idiotic showboating brought on some bad karma to Memphis, they should have played that 300 pound guy more


 
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