Kansas is (was) only ranked 16th in the nation!

Great game to watch and a heckuva 2nd half performance by the Tigers, but act like you’ve been there before. Just because it’s the Border Showdown doesn’t mean you go all out like you’ve just beaten the #1 team in the nation.

STAT of the GAME

Mizzou scored 16 in the 1st half.

Honorable Mention

83% free throw shooter Sherron Collins went 1-4 from the stripe.

29 Kansas turnovers, many of them caused by the swarming press of Mizzou.

Post from: EveryJoe

Why did Missouri fans storm the floor?

Dayton edged Auburn 60-59 in overtime in the Chicago Invitational Challenge at the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates, Ill. on Friday. The Flyers are underfeated at 5-0.

At least Auburn hit seven three-pointers. The Tigers went 7-for-31, but at least they hit seven three-pointers.

But I’m sure Auburn would trade those in for the win. The loss dropped the Tigers to 3-2.

Post from: EveryJoe

Stat of the Day – Dayton goes 0-24 from three point land and still wins

Before I start, I promised my pick, and that is Memphis. Even though Kansas looked incredible against North Carolina, I like how Memphis is rolling right now.

Of course, I’m forced to listen to Billy Packer and Jim Nantz once again – man, do I hate listening to both of them.

First Half

- Memphis darts out to a quick 9-3 lead after the first 4 minutes. Play is a bit helter-skelter right now, especially on Kansas’ part. Two early turnovers show the Jayhawks are feeling the pressure.

- Even though they are ahead, Memphis is standing around way too much on offense. On their last possession, 4 guys were standing around watching Derrick Rose go one-on-one. They won’t beat Kansas that way.

- Kansas comes out of a TV timeout and ties up the score at 9. They’ve tightened up their defense and are forcing Memphis to take some very tough shots. Memphis is trying to get by on their athleticism instead of working the ball for a good shot, and it isn’t working very well. 12:30 left in the first half, and the score is Memphis 13, Kansas 11.

- Kansas guard Brandon Rush is eating Chris Douglas-Roberts for lunch right now – two straight drives where he beat Douglas-Roberts off the dribble. Not a good sign for Memphis.

- Mario Chalmers hits the first trey of the game to put Kansas up 18-13. Memphis’ Dorsey picks up a silly over-the-back foul on the next trip down the floor. Memphis looks rattled.

- Memphis bulldozer, Pierre Miles, has come into the game to give Dorsey a rest. Miles is 6′8″ and 310 pounds. Miles needs to throw his weight around to throw Kansas off their game.

- The game has opened up now – both teams are pushing the ball up the floor and launching threes. Kansas up 24-21 with 7:25 to go in the half.

- Douglas-Roberts hits a three from the top of the key to push Memphis ahead 26-24. He has 13 points already. Kansas better find a way to stop him or it could be a long night.

- On a non-game note, the Nike’s “my better is better than your better” commercial is very annoying. Not so much the message, but the ridiculous music that grates on your eardrums. Back to the game…

- Dorsey, Dozier and Taggart each have two fouls for Memphis with 2:31 left in the half. Memphis could be in serious trouble if they get into foul trouble.

- Kansas is shooting 57% from the field, while Memphis is shooting 41%.

- Kansas is also out-rebounding Memphis by 8. Kansas is able to rotate more big guys in and Memphis’ front line looks tired.

- Rose has not scored for 16 minutes. You wonder if he’s fully recovered from the stomach bug that he was fighting yesterday.

- With one minute to go, Memphis has pulled the ball out to milk the clock, which is a little surprising. Calipari must be trying to avoid some late silly fouls.

- Kansas up 33-28 at the half. Memphis has not looked very good at all – little movement on offense, sluggish on defense, not scrambling after loose balls. Rose has been mediocre at best.

Second Half

- Memphis is actually trying to use a little ball movement as well as some screens. We’ll see how long that lasts.

- Dorsey picks up foul #3 for Memphis at the 16:07 mark – not good news for the Tigers. Kansas up 39-38 at the 15:15 mark.

- Rose is looking absolutely awful on the defensive end. Kansas’ guards are beating him off the dribble at will, he’s falling for ball fakes and looks slow.

- Kansas’ 1-2-2 zone is giving Memphis fits – they are still trying to beat the zone individually instead of passing the ball around.

- 8:50 left in the game and Kansas is up 47-46. Memphis just missed a free throw to tie the game – we shall see if Memphis’ poor foul shooting will cost them in this game.

- Kansas has now gone to a box-and-one defense to try and take Chris Douglas-Roberts out of the game. Interesting move by Bill Self. This defense might give Derrick Rose more room to operate, which could be dangerous. Memphis has scored on two straight possessions against the box-and-one to go up 49-47.

- Another non-game tidbit – they just showed a commercial for Ironman, starring Robert Downey Jr. Yeah, when I think if superheroes, I think of Robert Downey Jr. Nice casting there…

- Rose hits another jumper to push the lead to 4. Rose is starting to heat up a bit – perhaps Kansas should put the box-and-one on Rose instead of Douglas-Roberts.

- Kansas is starting to force some shots and looks a bit rushed. Memphis on a 7-0 run, and Kansas has dropped the box-and-one.

- Memphis just missed an alley-oop that could have pushed the lead to 6. Meanwhile, Kansas can’t throw it in the ocean right now.

- Rose hits a driving layup and draws the foul – Memphis up 54-47 with 5:00 to go in the game.

- Rose hits a fall-away bankshot as the shotclock was expiring to push the lead to 7. Rose’s prayer was answered…

- Dorsey just picked up his 4th foul with 3:36 to go. How long will Calipari leave him out?

- Memphis up 56-51 with 3:30 to go. Kansas goes back to the 1-2-2 zone to try and slow Rose down.

- Rose misses a long three but Memphis grabs the long rebound. Memphis is content to milk more time off the clock.

- Kansas has now started to foul the Tigers out on the perimeter. Kansas is content to make Memphis beat them from the foul line. Memphis up 60-51 with 2 minutes to go.

- Collins hits a huge three for Kansas to lower the Memphis lead to 4. Another quick foul by the Jayhawks.

- Douglas-Roberts hits two free throws – Memphis’ lead is back to 6.

- Dorsey just fouled out after getting caught on a defensive switch. If this game goes to O.T., advantage goes to Kansas.

- Chalmers hits two free throws for Kansas – 62-58 Memphis. Memphis has hit its last 5 free throws.

- Douglas-Roberts misses the front end of his one-and-one. Uh-oh.

- Arthur hits an inside bucket for KU to trim the lead to 2.

- Chalmers nearly steals the ball once again and Memphis calls time out. Memphis up 62-60 with 44 seconds left. The Tigers have 19 seconds left on the shot clock.

- Collins drives down and might have been fouled – tough break for KU. Douglas-Roberts is fouled.

- CDR missed both free throws, but Dozier gets the long rebound for Memphis. What a break. Rose is fouled and will get two free throws with 11 seconds left. Memphis’ foul shooting will definitely either win or lose this game for them.

- Let’s see what the freshman sensation Rose does at the line: #1 rims out. Not good. #2 is perfect. Memphis by 3, and KU has no timeouts.

- Chalmers hits a fantastic three from the top of the key with 2 seconds left to tie the game!!! What a shot. And to overtime we go, although the game should be over. Foul shooting…it is all about foul shooting. Memphis missed 4 of its last 5 foul shots, and that may have cost them the national championship.

OVERTIME

- Kansas comes out and makes another steal from the Memphis guards – Chalmers and Collins have such quick hands. KU goes up by two.

- Dozier throws up a wild shot in the lane for Memphis, and the Tigers have no chance at the offensive board with Dorsey out of the game.

- Great alley-oop from Chalmers to Arthur puts Kansas up four. Again, Dorsey wasn’t there to take up space for Memphis.

- Kansas now up 69-63 after a nifty layup by Darnell Jackson. Memphis is losing control of this game in a big hurry.

- CDR hits two freebies to pull Memphis back to within 4. 2:21 remaining.

- Memphis forces Chalmers into a deep three which is short. Great defensive set by the Tigers.

- Rush breaks behind the Memphis defense for the easy layup. CDR follows up with a quick trey – Kansas up 71-68 with 57 seconds left.

- Chalmers is sent to the line with 45 seconds left. First shot is perfect. Second shot is perfect. KU up 73-68.

- CDR misses an easy layup and Kansas forces the jump ball. Possession arrow to the Jayhawks. Memphis now must start to foul.

- Great break for Memphis as Collins slips and goes out of bounds. Memphis ball.

- CDR misses a long range three and Kansas gets the rebound. For as good as he is, Rose has been passing the ball very quickly – he looks like he wants nothing to do with the ball on offense right now.

- 18.2 seconds left and Collins is on the line for two: first shots rattles around the rim and goes in. Second shot is good. Kansas up 75-68.

- Rose misses another three and Kansas is the champion.

If it’s been said once, it’s been said a thousand times – if you don’t shoot your free throws very well, you’re vulnerable. Period. This game was Memphis’ to win, and they couldn’t do it because they didn’t make free throws. Period. End of story.

And I hope the Memphis fans enjoyed Derrick Rose, because you’ll never see him in a Tiger uniform again.

Post from: EveryJoe

National championship game – as it happens

It appears that college basketball fans are going to get their wish, as long as Tulane and Auburn don’t spoil the party tonight.

#1 Memphis versus #2 Tennessee on Saturday headlines the must-see games this week in college basketball:

Tonight: #3 North Carolina at North Carolina State – it is always a war when these two in-state rivals hook up on the basketball court.

Saturday February 23rd – #2 Tennessee at #1 Memphis – Memphis nearly lost to UAB last week, and the Tigers have shown some vulnerabilities in their last few games. Both teams are athletic, both teams can push the tempo, and both teams can score in bunches. This should be a great contest. Before the #1 vs #2 game, you should tune in to watch #18 Drake at #8 Butler. These are two of the best teams that you’ve never heard of. But don’t let their anonymity fool you – both squads can ball it with the big boys.

Post from: EveryJoe

Games to watch this week – February 20th

Originally, it was feared that Mays had fractured his hip, but it turns out that it is only sprained. Instead of being out 4-6 weeks, Mays could be back on the court sometime in mid December.

Mays is averaging 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds for the 18th ranked Tigers who are 6-0 this season. The Tigers will desperately need Mays’ inside presence and scoring as they enter conference play.

Post from: EveryJoe

Good injury news for Clemson’s Mays

UConn coach Jim Calhoun just said that Memphis is the most athletic team in the country. Memphis coach John Calipari called the Tigers offense “Princeton on steroids”…they are always attacking the basket, always pushing the ball, lots of motion. The Huskies are going to have their hands full tonight.

1st half

• One minute into the game, and we’ve already seen 4-5 trips down the floor on each end – you can turn the shot clock off for this game. UConn takes a 30 second timeout at 18:37 to calm his troops down a bit, as they are down early 4-0.
• UConn has missed 5 shots from inside 4 feet already. They can’t buy a bucket right now.
• Memphis’s guards are easily penetrating into the key and kicking the ball back out for open threes. Memphis 10, UConn 0 at 17:30 of the half.
• After a made basket, Memphis comes out in a full court press and forces another Huskie turnover.
• UConn is 1-9 from the field with 3 turnovers in its first 12 possessions.
• TV timeout at 15:45 – Memphis 14, UConn 3. Memphis looks as athletic as advertised.
• Memphis’ Dozier just stuffed a dunk attempt which led to easy bucket. Memphis 18, UConn 3. Memphis is 8-13 from the field in the early going.
• Memphis’ front line is doing a great job at collapsing on the ball in the lane and helping out on defense. Their frontcourt is extremely long and athletic. When a UConn player tried a layup, 2-3 guys are always challenging the shot.
• Chris Douglas-Roberts is on fire for Memphis: 5-6 from the field and 12 points in the first 10 minutes.
• With all their blown layups and shots that have been blocked, UConn’s frontline guys are playing very tentative with their backs to the basket. It seems like they are all waiting for one of the Tigers to come out of nowhere and block their shot. Very tentative. Memphis up 22-10 with 10:48 to go.
• Memphis guard Andre Allen is super quick. He just blew by the UConn guards for an easy layup.
• Memphis’ Joey Dorsey is on the bench with two fouls, but they aren’t even phased. Memphis rotates in players by the dozen, it seems. Very deep team.
• Stanley Robinson just roofed the freshman phenom Rose on a drive to the basket. Welcome to the NCAAs Mr. Rose.
• UConn guard AJ Price is starting to assert himself into this game, which is good news for Huskies fans. Memphis up 31-20.
• Price with a pretty rainbow floater along the baseline. The kid can get a shot off from anywhere.
• Memphis 32, UConn 23 with 6:00 to go in the half.
• Rose just put up a couple of ridiculous circus shots. Ahhh…freshmen.
• After starting out 1 for its first 12 from the field, UConn has shot 9-13 since.
• Memphis34, UConn 27 with 3:49 left. Memphis is starting to force a few shots, and UConn is playing with more poise and control. If their 7′3″ center Hasheem Thabeet could finish around the basket, UConn could easily have the lead. He’s had numerous chances to dunk the ball, but isn’t strong enough to go up and finish.
• Calipari was whistled for a technical foul after contesting an offensive goaltending call. Let’s remember the new bench decorum policy, people…
• Memphis up 38-32 with 2:29 to go.
• Price drives into the lane again for an easy layup. Memphis is really missing Dorsey’s presence in the key, as he is still on the bench with his 2 fouls.
• Memphis’ Taggart gets whistled for a technical (which also counts as a personal foul) after slamming the ball on the floor. Decorum people…decorum.
• UConn has trimmed the lead to one with one minute to go. Stanley Robinson gets called for the charge trying to push the Huskies into the lead.
• UConn pulls the ball back to milk the clock a bit before taking their last shot. UConn takes a 41-40 lead on two foul shots. Rose can’t get a shot off, and UConn goes into the locker room with the lead. Unbelievable.

2nd half

• Rose has 12 points for Memphis, but is only 5-13 from the field. He is showing glimpses of brilliance, but is also taking some stupid shots. He needs to make better decisions, but that will come with time.
• Rose with two straight buckets to put Memphis back in front 47-46. Memphis has gone on a 9-2 run with AJ Price on the bench for UConn.
• Memphis up 51-46 with 16:07 to go, and Calhoun puts AJ Price back into the game for the Huskies.
• Price with another slicing layup in the lane – UConn needs him on the floor if they have any shot at winning this game.
• Memphis up 51-50 with 14:40 to go. Pace of play has slowed considerably.
• UConn is really good at reaching in on players driving in the lane and stripping the ball. The Huskies have stolen the ball on the last three possessions.
• UConn’s 6′3″ Jerome Dyson just went coast to coast and skied over 6′9″ Joey Dorsey to slam the ball home, which drew the first oohs and ahhs from Dick Vitale. Jam City baby! Up, up and away!
• Douglas-Roberts is still on fire for Memphis- 22 points on 10-14 shooting. Memphis up 58-57 with 10:57 to go.
• Memphis is having a tough time finishing around the hoop. They are missing easy layups and easy putbacks, and are committing some cheap fouls in the process.
• Rose with an awesome shake-and-bake drive to the hoop for the basket and one. Memphis up 5. It is moves like that which will bring Rose a lot of cash in the NBA. Rose with 21 points on 8-16 shooting thus far.
• Dozier with a solid put back for Memphis, putting the Tigers up by 6.
• Memphis has stretched the lead to 11, 74-63 with 4:52 to go. The Tiger guards are putting more pressure on the Huskie backcourt, and it is paying dividends.
• Douglas-Roberts now has 31 for Memphis – definitely the game MVP.
• UConn going to a half court trap to try and get back into the game. Memphis up 76-67 with 3:19 to go.
• Memphis is now milking the clock making the Huskies chase the ball around the perimeter.
• Memphis up 79-69 with 44.5 seconds left. I’m very surprised that UConn hasn’t started fouling Memphis, as they only shoot 58% from the line.  After Memphis broke the Huskies full court press, there was no effort to foul. I don’t get it. Interesting strategy by Calhoun.

Memphis is extremely athletic, but they play too much one-on-one for me. With that much athleticism and talent, there is no reason why they can’t run some very effective motion-offense sets with back picks and lots of ball movement. They rely too much on isolation plays, which will ultimately hurt them against good defensive squads.

After a down year last season, UConn could surprise a lot of folks this season. Price has a ton of talent, and Calhoun isn’t afraid to play 8-9 guys in a game. That depth will definitely help them in the Big East wars.

Post from: EveryJoe

UConn vs. Memphis…as it happens