NCAA Tournament

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:50 pm

XXXIV wrote:What was the highest seed Kansas beat to get to the final four?...and is that a record?..in all sports?

An 8, and that was UNLV. You cannot even begin to imagine how much relief I feel. I am emotionally spent after watching that game.

Davidson dictated the tempo from the beginning of the game. They play such a well balanced game offensively and defensively. I had no idea they were that good defensively. KU picked the wrong time to play their worst game of the tournament, and it almost came back to bite them. They are EXTREMELY fortunate. Wow!

Bill Self has FINALLY made it through to the Final Four. What a relief that must feel like! Congrats Coach Self!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, I just hope KU finds their offense against UNC. What a game it has the potential to be.

Gonna be a FANTASTIC week of work!

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK all the way to San Antonio!!!!!

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:44 pm

I can't believe I'm saying this after Davidson's ELITE EIGHT exit, but today's loss was pretty disappointing for me. Davidson played great defense in the first half, and I thought they had Kansas right where they wanted them.

When Davidson started making a push with about 10 minutes left, as they have every game, I thought they were gonna pull away. I guess it was inevitable that Curry would have a bad game eventually, and it happened today. Just as Davidson took the lead, Curry missed 6 or 7 3s in a row, including several open looks, and Kansas was finally able to slow it down to a halfcourt game and pound it inside, taking back the lead.

Kansas did a great job throwing Richards off his game, as he had several turnovers today after a turnover-free game against Wisconsin's vaunted defense, but I can't help but feel the game was there for the taking for Davidson, but Curry just didn't have it today (4-16 on 3s--I don't think anyone saw that coming).

That last possession was particularly infuriating as it seemed Davidson had no plan after that timeout. I suspect McKillop just said 'the ball is yours Steph,' but he needed to get the ball up the court faster so he could have more time to find a shot. IMO, Richards should've had the ball in first place to feed Curry.

But oh well, I can't complain too much. It's been a fun ride while it lasted.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:19 pm

With Davidson up four with 7 minutes left on the clock, I thought surely the game was over. I remember thinking I'll watch the remainder of the game with little or no emotion knowing it just was not KU's day. Having watched so many recent early Kansas tournament exits, this felt exactly like the ones before. Another team loaded with potential not able to break through to the Final Four.

Richards I thought played almost a mistake free game. His only bad turnover was the one in which Chalmers was easily able to steal the ball on a pass from Richards. The whole Davidson team is solid. They play such a good game of basketball. They execute so very well that KU really had a hard time defending them. If they had a strong talented big man, I think they surely would have won the game. Richards and Curry both said they were exhausted with the KU four man rotation getting after them. I honestly didn't think it was going to be this close, but Davidson is so resilient. Even being fatigued and banged up (Sander had a broken finger), they still impressed the heck out of me.

I agree I would have had Richards bringing the ball up the court. Curry or Barr would have had a better chance of coming off of a screen. If you watch the last play again, number 15 is wide open. Not a KU defender around him whatsoever. They easily could have tied the game and sent it in to overtime. Instead, KU gets recognized for playing tough D for the last 16 seconds.

KU should consider themselves very fortunate.

Great year by the Davidson Wildcats! They played a hellacious schedule. Curry is coming back so future is bright for the program. Hopefully, McKillop doesn't take the Rice job that's being rumored.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:23 pm

C'MON TARHEELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:07 am

It's not so much that Richards had a poor game, but he didn't look like the same player that he was against Georgetown and Wisconsin. Against those teams he combined for 31 points, 18 assists, and only 1 turnover.

Kansas' constant double-teams up top threw him off and he turned in a much more human performance of 7 points, 9 assists, and 4 turnovers. He will be very very difficult for Davidson to replace after he graduates this year.

TheGamer · Post by **TheGamer** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:12 am

MizzouRah wrote:C'MON TARHEELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hater much?

Of course as an Illini fan I feel the same way.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:02 am

I thought the last play was a horrible call from the coach, although maybe this is what they practice for last second shots. He admitted in the post game press conference that he had the wrong player set the pick. From all of the Davidson I watched over the last two weeks, I don't recall Curry bringing the ball up. He just didn't look confortable.

It just seems it would have been better to have Richards bring it up, have the bigs set picks for Curry and the other dude that was hitting threes. If KU jumps out on the three point line, maybe Richards could have hit someone down low for two and the tie. It was quit obvious, though, that they were going for the win.

Anyways, I just want to thank Davidson for giving an incredible effort in which I had a great time watching them.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:17 am

MizzouRah wrote:C'MON TARHEELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has to get old for Mizzou fans each and every year to root against KU in the tournament. For once, you would think it might be fun to watch your own team in the tournament.

In all seriousness, Mizzou has a very good chance of making the NIT next year.

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK! I'm going to be enjoying and savoring this week. Opening day for baseball and all the media hype leading up to the FF games this Saturday. All four number ones in the tournament. Can't beat that!

What a year for KU athletics!!!!!

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:46 am

I'm not sure how KU won that game, they sure didn't deserve to win. I don't want to rag on a guy who is the tourney MVP, but Curry was forcing up some bad shots yesterday. I've watched every game they played in the tourney and I never saw him put up so many bad shots.

Davidson didn't really play like the team I watched for the 3 previous games, they did in spurts but for a lot of the game they just gave the ball to Curry and said carry us home. I know he had 25 points, but he was 9-25 wasn't he. That other kid was hot hitting threes and they took him out of the game. Yesterday I felt like they were just trying to get him the ball on every possessions and in past games they didn't need to force him the ball because they ran their offense so well he just naturally got open shots.

The last play if you can call it that was just terrible, you only needed 2 points. They should of at least drove the lane and kicked it out for an open shot. It's too bad it ended that way, because if I'm a Davidson player I fell I lost that game more then KU beat me.

It doesn't matter much anyway NC was going to destroy the winner of that game.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:04 pm

It would have been cool to see a #10 seed make the Final four...

but...

Now that the original dissapointment at Davidson losing has faded I am looking forward to seeing four #1s square off...It has the potential of being a pretty special saturday.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:20 pm

If I had to rank the number one seeds from strongest to weakest, I'd rank them this way:

North Carolina
Memphis
UCLA
Kansas

Last I looked, UNC was only a 3.5 point favorite over KU. I think it should be around 7. Heck, I'm glad KU is the underdog for once! The pressure is on UNC. Lets see if Roy can win a NC with HIS players, and not Matt Doherty's. It'll be interesting to see if KU can run with UNC. UNC is just on another level regarding their transition offense. It reminds me of the old KU teams when Roy was the coach.

After watching Memphis play yesterday, they are very very close to looking like the best team in the tournament. Rose is just flat out awesome. Their entire team looks like a NBA team. They're just so big and long. I like Memphis beating UCLA by at least 8 points.

Glad that KU and UNC is playing the second game. It allows me to enjoy the Memphis/UCLA game. Whatever happens after that, at least we didn't go out to Davidson. If that three point shot goes in, can you imagine how often that replay would play......every single NCAA tournament for years to come.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:08 pm

Danimal wrote:It doesn't matter much anyway NC was going to destroy the winner of that game.

Davidson played NC in the regular season at a neutral site and lost by 4. All academic now though.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:09 pm

Great. Sutton is fired at Oklahoma State, and the rumors are swirling that Boone Pickens will throw 4 million dollars at Bill Self. Talk about a distraction....ugh.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:23 pm

Wow. KU dominated UNC. Then, UNC goes on a hell of a run and looks to pull off the biggest comeback in NCAA history. KU finally responds and blows the doors off the game! Hell f'n yeah!

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:35 am

sportdan30 wrote:Wow. KU dominated UNC. Then, UNC goes on a hell of a run and looks to pull off the biggest comeback in NCAA history. KU finally responds and blows the doors off the game! Hell f'n yeah!

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!

I was scared for ya but in the end the better TEAM did win and in style..

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:37 pm

So many reporters and people were wondering why Bill Self / Kansas changed things around after the first 14 minutes. To me it was pretty obvious - they just hit a wall and were exhausted and could not keep playing at the same pace. I think things just snowballed from there and UNC got back into the game. Very strange game overall, but I think that the better team won.

I actually went to UNC for grad school and am a big ACC fan, but I felt like the conference was still down this year and I was not surprised to see Kansas exploit some weaknesses - although it was surprising how big the lead got - 28 points in a final four game?

I have no routing interest in either team playing in the finals, so I just hope we have a well played game.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:51 pm

KU always seems to play very loosely when they have a large lead. Inevitably, it comes back to hurt them. That really has been their achilles heal all season. They've never been able to really put teams away. Self has emphasized "stepping on the opponents" throat when they're down, but as you could see last night, they only were able to pull away the last 6 minutes.

I worry they expended too much energy last night. Hopefully, the coaches allowed them to rest today rather than practice. Walk throughs and video sessions is all they need at this point anyways. I think tomorrow night's game is going to come down to guard play. Can KU contain Rose and CDR? If not, it could be a long night for the Jayhawks. KU will have to get a lot of points from their front court. However, I could also see the game plan in which Chalmers and Collins try and drive it to the hoop and get Rose and CDR in foul trouble.

If I hadn't seen Memphis struggle against Gonzaga during the year, then I'd think KU legitimately has no chance. But, I don't think Gonzaga was all that good, so I'm surprised they gave Memphis a game. There's a glimmer of hope that KU can win, but I think Memphis is too athletic and too long. I can see KU struggling against Memphis's tough D.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:15 pm

Goooooo TIGERS beeeeeeeeeeat Jayhawks!

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:52 pm

I tuned in w/ 30 sec left in regular time so I didnt get to see the comeback. Too bad Memphis couldn't hit FT's to seal it. When Kansas tied in regulation, and the way memphis player reacted, like they knew they blew it, it was over. they weren't ready for the 5 min OT.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:53 pm

Grats to KU....Great 3 to tie...Great OT...Great win.

Memphis...tsk tsk tsk...For all you youngsters out there take free throws seriously.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:02 am

HELL YEAH! NATIONAL CHAMPS BABY! Wow! What an unbelievable game. What a back and forth game. Memphis played a heck of a game.

Damn, my hands are shaking..........KU Jayhawks, National Champs for 2008!

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:55 am

son of a b*tch

TheGamer · Post by **TheGamer** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:06 am

And of course, Self can take the money and run to OK State. But players have to sit out a year if they want to transfer.