So, Memphis loses because of free throw shooting....

[NuttinItUp]

Finally caught up with them....

Calipari was so wrong that it wouldn't cost them any games and wasn't a problem. Couldn't have happened to a better bunch of guys.




Edit: Removed the word "thugs" since it was offending some of the Memphis lovers.

[Oliver]

Free throw shooting and stupid decision making at the end of regulation.

[ErieHog]

Final Four tickets: $350 Dollars
Bill Self Salary at Kansas: $1.37 Million
Memphis going 1-5 from the FT line in the last minute to choke away a Championship:  Priceless.

[NuttinItUp]

Free throw shooting and stupid decision making at the end of regulation.

Anything more than 1 out of 5 at the end of regulation would have sealed it for them.

[BigDeal]

This has to be one of the biggest chokes in the history of the title game !

[Bigfoot]

Congrats to Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks!

[Arkapigdiesel]

I'm stunned that Memphis lost.  They absolutely GAVE the game away.  They were clearly the better team in regulation.

[BigDeal]

Memphis didn't lose because of free throw shooting. They lost because they CHOKED !!!!

[Oliver]

Anything more than 1 out of 5 at the end of regulation would have sealed it for them.

That and fouling Kansas before they could shoot a 3 would have won the ball game for them.

[bigyellowdog]

Tigger High was up by nine with a little over 2 minutes to play. 

[3kgthog]

I wish we could've had the opportunity to choke away a championship.

[Oliver]

I wish we could've had the opportunity to choke away a championship.

I would say that we choked out the SEC championship game this year but I don't think we ever were ahead.

[Doggtown31LCC]

they still made it to the finals though.

[ErieHog]

I don't know. KU was shooting over 50% deep into the game while holding Memphis STATE to the low 40s.  A couple of more 3s by KU and the Tigers never would have taken control of the game.

It wasn't like they had Kansas put away early, either;  the Tigers do deserve credit for fighting back from a halftime deficit.

[bigyellowdog]

they still made it to the finals though.

great "Sunshine" outlook.

[TRUHOG718]

When CDR was at the line was anyone else thinking.  Theres got to be a higher power writing this script because thats been their story all year and it came smack dab down to just that.

[NuttinItUp]

they still made it to the finals though.

Have you been taking lessons from Nutt?

[bigyellowdog]

Have you been taking lessons from Nutt?

They were so close.....

[cubsfan5150]

Freethrows played a big part, but it wouldn't be talked about too much if Memphis had just FOULED at the end of regulation.

[BigSexyHog]

"we make them when they count the most"  what a tool.

[BigDeal]

They were so close.....

Oh well. Basketball is over. Now we can look forward to Ole .. I mean Arkansas football .

[HogInThaGrove]

Chokefest. 

Memphis gave it away, plain and simple.  And when they did, Kansas was there to take it from them.

CDR stupid play trying for the layup instead of pulling it out. 

Make a free throw.  Is Rose still the #1 draft pick?  I don't think so.  He looked scared and unagressive for 3/4 of the game.   Absolutely would not drive until late 2nd half.

Cal should have had him space it out and drive all night long.  Bad coaching. 

Rely on physical ability alone and have no smarts, and you're destined to fail.  Not like we've seen that scenario before....

[SLC]

That and fouling Kansas before they could shoot a 3 would have won the ball game for them.

That is exactly what I was thinking.  Why don't you foul now? 

[hoglady]

Finally caught up with them....

Calipari was so wrong that it wouldn't cost them any games and wasn't a problem. Couldn't have happened to a better bunch of thugs.

Should any Hog fan call any other teams' players thugs.
Let's see we've had - Drug users, drug dealers, gun dealers, gun toters, thiefs and guys accused of rape.
Does it really get any worse?

[The Realist]

Should any Hog fan call any other teams' players thugs.
Let's see we've had - Drug users, drug dealers, gun dealers, gun toters, thiefs and guys accused of rape.
Does it really get any worse?

Oklahoma under Barry Switzer and Washington under Neuheisel come to mind as topping this.  I mean, at least our gun dealers don't shoot their teammates, ahem Oklahoma. 

[NuttinItUp]

Should any Hog fan call any other teams' players thugs.
Let's see we've had - Drug users, drug dealers, gun dealers, gun toters, thiefs and guys accused of rape.
Does it really get any worse?

At least we don't have a coach that has been shown to be a cheater by the NCAA, and we don't specifically recruit thugs. Say what you will about the coaching ability of Nolan, Heath, or Pel; At least they do (did) it the right way.

[BigDeal]

Calipari blamed himself. I would have blamed it on the refs, poor free throw shooting, and kids not acting right and thus not playing well. Would have thrown in a couple of players names too. This was a special team but they didn't come ready to fight and win.

[The Realist]

At least we don't have a coach that has been shown to be a cheater by the NCAA, and we don't specifically recruit thugs. Say what you will about the coaching ability of Nolan, Heath, or Pel; At least they do (did) it the right way.

Cal does have Nolan beat by about 80% on graduation rates.

[hoglady]

Oklahoma under Barry Switzer and Washington under Neuheisel come to mind as topping this.  I mean, at least our gun dealers don't shoot their teammates, ahem Oklahoma. 

You've got a point - I was just reminding everyone we've had our own share of players in trouble.

[The Realist]

You've got a point - I was just reminding everyone we've had our own share of players in trouble.

I agree with you.  Was just pointing out a couple of extreme examples.  Every team has good guys and bad guys who are getting opportunities they don't deserve.

[WilsonHog]

People in glass houses cannot throw stones.

We've had kids screw up; are they thugs?

Or do they get a pass because they wear a Razorback jersey?

A thug is a thug; it's no excuse that they happen to be "our" thugs. 

That's a dangerous label to throw around.

[hoglady]

At least we don't have a coach that has been shown to be a cheater by the NCAA, and we don't specifically recruit thugs. Say what you will about the coaching ability of Nolan, Heath, or Pel; At least they do (did) it the right way.

How can you say Nolan did things the right way when his graduation rate bordered around 0%.

[NuttinItUp]

How can you say Nolan did things the right way when his graduation rate bordered around 0%.

I meant as far as recruiting/coaching/not cheating. Perhaps coaches should have more of a role in academics, but that generally isn't high on my list of expectations for them.

By the way, I removed the word "thugs" from the original post. Didn't mean any offense to any of you Memphis lovers.

[riccoar]

they still made it to the finals though.

And UCLA made the Final Four the last 3 years.  You better be in it to win it, or stay the phuck home.

[Newcoachplease]

And UCLA made the Final Four the last 3 years.  You better be in it to win it, or stay the phuck home.

This is what happens when you play weak teams througout the season. None of thier games throughout the season came down the last seconds, so they werent prepared. Kansas is not some directional school, and is use to playing tough competetion. Memphis=Ohio State.

[The Realist]

This is what happens when you play weak teams througout the season. None of thier games throughout the season came down the last seconds, so they werent prepared. Kansas is not some directional school, and is use to playing tough competetion. Memphis=Ohio State.

Tennessee (4 point), UAB (1 point) Gonzaga (8 point), Mississippi State (3 point).  I'd say those were some close games, but maybe not.

[ErieHog]

Tennessee (4 point), UAB (1 point) Gonzaga (8 point), Mississippi State (3 point).  I'd say those were some close games, but maybe not.

When your 'tough prep' inclues UAB, you need to reconsider your scheduling.

[The Realist]

Well I can include Georgetown, UConn, Arizona, Oklahoma but they beat them all handily.  They played 9 teams who were in the tournament.  Arkansas played 6 for comparison. 

[BigDeal]

This is what happens when you play weak teams througout the season. None of thier games throughout the season came down the last seconds, so they werent prepared. Kansas is not some directional school, and is use to playing tough competetion. Memphis=Ohio State.

Losing a 9 point lead with 2:12 had nothing to do because they played  Tulane or Rice or whoever earlier in the season.
Memphis is definitely the 2nd best team in the nation this year no matter who they played. And if they hadn't CHOKED, they would be considered the best team in the nation right now.

[BigDeal]

Well I can include Georgetown, UConn, Arizona, Oklahoma but they beat them all handily.  They played 9 teams who were in the tournament.  Arkansas played 6 for comparison. 

Don't  confuse these people with facts . Memphis played in the championship game because they play in Conference USA and they don't play any real competition . Had they played in the mighty SEC , they may not have even made the tournament  at all.

[NuttinItUp]

Don't  confuse these people with facts . Memphis played in the championship game because they play in Conference USA and they don't play any real competition . Had they played in the mighty SEC , they may not have even made the tournament  at all.

They would have made the tournament no matter what conference they were in I think.

[Newcoachplease]

Well I can include Georgetown, UConn, Arizona, Oklahoma but they beat them all handily.  They played 9 teams who were in the tournament.  Arkansas played 6 for comparison. 

All those teams were one and done i believe.

My main point is, Kansas played better competetion, had to come from behind to win games, such as Texas. Memphis is used to walking in the gym and turning the game into an And 1 highlight reel. Kansas didnt let the pressure get to them, and Memphis did.

Memphis has not been in close game situations, and they didnt know how to play it.

Such as using your timeouts Calipari, or fouling before they shoot the three, something you dont get to practice when you are beating NE Southwestern Baptist State

[Baconator]

All those teams were one and done i believe.

My main point is, Kansas played better competetion, had to come from behind to win games, such as Texas. Memphis is used to walking in the gym and turning the game into an And 1 highlight reel. Kansas didnt let the pressure get to them, and Memphis did.

Memphis has not been in close game situations, and they didnt know how to play it.

Such as using your timeouts Calipari, or fouling before they shoot the three, something you dont get to practice when you are beating NE Southwestern Baptist State

We have a winner.

[spit]

"had a weak scehdule... didn't have close games.... "  WTH dude. they are one of the top 3bball teams in the frankin nation.  Kansas got lucky.  Heck kansas was lucky to beat UNC.  Either of these games replayed would likely have a different result.  Memphis is a better bball team than Kansas, 6 of 7 nights a week, IMHO. 

[NuttinItUp]

Kansas got lucky.

Takes a lot more than luck to win a national championship.

[Baconator]

Takes a lot more than luck to win a national championship.

Like a little thing called mental toughness?

[spit]

Takes a lot more than luck to win a national championship.

yeah maybe but w/o luck last couple games THEY WOULDN"T HAVE.

[jkstock04]

Did anyone hear Nolan Richardson on the radio yesterday afternoon on sports rap?  He was very adamant about how poor free throw shooting wouldn't be the cause of Memphis losing the game...he said when it came to crunch time they would hit their free throws.  Good call coach..HA. 

This is about how I figured the game would go.  It seems like in close games the team who hits their free throws at the end usually wins.  I expected this to be a close game....hence Memphis loses due to choking on free throws at the end of the game. 

[hogsanity]

I'm stunned that Memphis lost.  They absolutely GAVE the game away.  They were clearly the better team in regulation.

They gave the game away because of what people had been saying about Memphis for at least 3 seasons, THEY COULD NOT MAKE FREE THROWS.  People have sai about Memphis that, due to the weak sister league they play in, they could get away with games in which they shot 40% from the FT line, but it would get them in the NCAAT, and it did. 

[The Realist]

All those teams were one and done i believe.

My main point is, Kansas played better competetion, had to come from behind to win games, such as Texas. Memphis is used to walking in the gym and turning the game into an And 1 highlight reel. Kansas didnt let the pressure get to them, and Memphis did.

Memphis has not been in close game situations, and they didnt know how to play it.

Such as using your timeouts Calipari, or fouling before they shoot the three, something you dont get to practice when you are beating NE Southwestern Baptist State

Do you seriously believe this?  You mention Kansas playing Texas close.  Memphis DESTROYED Texas.  So let me get this straight...you are blaming the fact that Memphis lost on the fact that they pummeled Texas and didn't keep it close so they can get that "game experience" that they already have from being an experienced squad who played the #2 ranked Out of conference schedule in the nation?

Georgetown, UConn, Arizona, Gonzaga, Oklahoma, Tennessee, USC, Mississippi State, Texas, UCLA, Michigan State....you are seriously trying to discredit the schedule of a team who played ALL of these teams?  And you believe it?  Can I have some of your kool-aid?