Freestyle is a little late with the blog. Like Kansas, we were put in a trance by Memphis' "length."
By the way, whenever I hear one man talk about another's "length" I get extremely uncomfortable.
This game thus far, I must admit, is one of the best basketball games I've ever witnessed.
There isn't a whole lot of constructed plays or over-coaching like you normally see in college. Just ballin', as Derrick Rose might say.
Kansas leads 33-28 with a minute left. The story so far is a simple one: Kansas matches up perfectly with Memphis. In fact, they're a bigger version of Memphis.
The Kansas guards have thus far contained the super Memphis duo of Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts. They're not playing badly they're just not taking over the game.
Kansas leads at the half 33-28 in one of the better championship games you'll see.
HALL OF FAME
Right now they're introducing this year's Hall class and I have to say my favorite player getting in this year is Patrick Ewing. He's one of the hardest working players I've ever covered. Got to be around him some when I worked in New York. He could be slightly difficult with the press and a little cantankerous but I don't think anyone is more deserving this year than Ewing.
I agree slightly with my psycho friend Gregg Doyel on Dick Vitale. He's a terrific human being and great promoter of the game but I don't believe any journalist should be in the same Hall of Fame with athletes. Have a media hall but it's the athletes who make sports, not the journalists.
But I think Doyel and I are in the minority. When Vitale was introduced he got the biggest ovation of any of the inductees.
SURPRISE OF THE FIRST HALF
Rose has just three points on 1 of 4 shooting. Three points. Didn't see that coming. So does he explode in the second half or does Kansas continue to hold him in check?
Douglas-Roberts has 13 points. Not terrible but Kansas has definitely figured out a way to slow the duo.
Five minutes left until the second half begins. Again, too much diet soda. Makes me pee.
You're not getting that kind of inside info from Parrish, trust me brother.
Kansas is on the court, warming up. I'd give their warm-up effort a solid 9.5 out of 10 on the Psycho T Gritty Richter Scale.
Memphis gets a solid 9 on the Psycho T Gritty Richter Scale.
I know I've mentioned this once before but that Pierre Niles is packing some pounds man. I guarantee you he'll be playing center for the Steelers in two years.
Doyel is back. He's sporting his Mohawk and a T-shirt. He's the unsexiest man alive.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
SECOND HALF BEGINS
Memphis gets a huge dunk to start.
"Very gritty," says Hansbrough.
Big 3-pointer by Memphis. Tied at 33.
"Gritty score," says Hansbrough.
Another 3-point play by Memphis. Free throw made. 36-35 Memphis.
The Tigers have come out fired up.
One of the big questions coming into this game was the mindset of Kansas. How would they respond after that topsy turvy North Carolina game. We have our answer: very well.
Alley oop from Rose to Joey Dorsey. Rose is making up for his lack of points by getting everyone involved in the offense.
Big problem for Memphis: Dorsey goes to the bench with three fouls.
"Why couldn't he get in foul trouble when I was playing him?" asks Kevin Love.
Funny sight. When a call went against Kansas, one of the Jayhawks broadcasters threw up his hands in total disgust. Calm down homer.
"I hate those homer broadcasters," says Vitale.
From the way ESPN covered Vitale's induction, you would have thought the Almighty himself was put into the Hall of Fame.
39-38 Kansas.
WHO THE ---- IS THIS OTHER BLOGGER ON OUR SITE?
Dude, there's only room for one blogger in this town.
"The other blogger...not gritty," says Hansbrough.
CDR puts in a nice hook. But Kansas responds imeediately. 43-40.
12 minutes left. My ass is starting to tighten because of all the pressure.
Terrible shot by Sherron Collins, a falling attempt at a lay-in. Memphis takes it right back and scores. 43-42 Kansas.
The Jayhawk mascot has a huge freaking head. It's very frightening. It would be even worse if it had a Mohawk.
What I love about this game is that while it's wide open there is still some fairly good defense being played. Does that make sense?
I know there are liars in the media now saying how they knew all along Kansas would be here. Shut the hell up people. Of all the Final Four teams it is Kansas -- not Memphis -- who got the least amount of respect.
Kansas is ballin'
Each time Memphis gets off a good spurt the Jayhawks respond. They might be the mentally tougher of the two though the Tigers aren't slouches.
Dorsey is back in and just grabbed a mean rebound.
9 minutes left. Ass ... must ... loosen ... up.
Steal Kansas. Rush layup.
The Jayhawks just went to a zone. Memphis beats it, puts the ball in and the foul. Nice play by Robert Dozier. Bricked the free throw. 47-46 Kansas.
Nice stop by Memphis.
Rose kills the zone with a 3-pointer. 49-47 Memphis.
Not sure why Kansas is playing this. I think a shooter like Rose will kill a zone every time. The Jayhawks have big enough and quick enough players to keep up with Rose. A zone makes no sense.
"Plus, the zone wasn't very gritty," says Hansbrough.
"Those Memphis cheerleaders, the grittiest ever," says the media.
The Tigers have a gritty two point lead.
8:08 left.
Another timeout. CBS is making tons of advertising cash. Excellent. Maybe a bonus is coming.
7:52 until confetti.
BILL SELF IS SOOOO GONE
Win or lose, he's taking that Oklahoma State job.
If the money being mentioned in the media is correct, why the hell wouldn't he?
Typical of college sports. The coaches get filthy rich while the players get jack squat.
Rose just hit a nice jumper. He's heating up. 51-47 Memphis.
Followed by good defense by the Tigers.
Uh oh I feel a Memphis run coming.
But they just missed an open shot giving Kansas an opening.
There is a guy in the stands behind me who has been yelling all weekend. I hear him in my sleep. Shut up!
Steal Memphis then missed dunk try. Still 51-47 with 5:54 left.
Kansas' offense has stalled dramatically.
Rose is killing Kansas. He missed a 3 but Dozier got the rebound, passed it to Rose, and he put it in plus the foul. His shot was a whirling, twisting beauty. He makes the free throw. 54-47 Memphis.
They're starting to pull away.
Kansas responds with a huge basket. 4:45 until confetti.
OHMYGOD!
Rose, Rose, Rose. He hit a bank shot as the shot clock expired. 56-49.
Not to go all Billy Packer on you but I think this game is over. There's 3:49 left and it's 57-49.
I think it's going to take a miracle for Kansas to come back.
Kansas is going to kick themselves for all the easy layups they missed in the game especially in the second half.
The Jayhawks just hit two free throws and they're in that dumb zone again.
Missed shot for Memphis but offensive rebound and score. 58-51.
Kansas miss and 2:21 left until confetti.
Kansas is starting to play Hack-a-Shaq. They just fouled Dozier who made his first and second. 60-51.
Kansas hits a long jumper. 60-53 with 1:54 left.
HELL NO IT'S NOT OVER!
Kansas hits a 3. Douglas-Roberts is fouled and makes both. 62-56.
Dorsey commits a stupid foul.
A Memphis fan holds up a sign that says: "That's Mr. Dorsey to you."
Yes, sir.
The man I mentioned earlier? Yelling. He just screamed at columnist Mike Lupica. "Sit down Lupica!" That was awesome.
Kansas makes two free throws. 62-58.
Douglas-Robert misses the front end of one.
Kansas scores! What idiot said earlier it was over. 62-60. 44 seconds felt.
What an unbelievably good game.
Memphis has the ball. They miss.
Kansas is fouled on the other end and no call.
Douglas-Roberts back on the line. Shooting two. Missed the first, missed the second.
Memphis gets the ball. This is a damn crazy ending.
Memphis is up 62-60 with 10.8 left and the Tigers are on the free throw line.
Douglas-Roberts has missed his last three free throws. Now Rose is shooting two. and HE misses the first! Then makes the second.
63-60.
OOOHHHHHH!
It's not over!
Kansas ties the game at 63 and we're into overtime!
OOOOOOOOOHHH!
"What a gritty 3," says Hansbrough.
FREE THROWS
They killed Memphis in regulation. They've been a problem all season. They reared their ugly head tonight.
"Free throws are overrated," says Shaq.
Kansas with the stop and conversion. 65-63 Jayhawks.
If Memphis loses they will be crucified for their free throw shooting.
Memphis miss and Kansas board.
3:55 left.
Dorsey is on the bench, fouled out.
Dunk by Kansas! They are up 67-63.
Memphis is absolutely choking. They just shot a brick. Kansas scores again. 69-63. Timeout.
2:29 until confetti.
Kansas fouls Douglas-Roberts. He is shooting two and makes the first. Memphis making a free throw is a small miracle. He makes the second. 69-65.
Memphis plays great defense and forces Kansas into a miss. They're still alive.
Rose misses a 3 but offensive rebound Memphis. Douglas-Roberts misses a 3. Kansas fast break is good. 71-65.
Douglas-Roberts 3! 71-68.
56.8 seconds until confetti.
Mario Chalmers makes both free throws..
That's how you shoot them.
Memphis miss.
Clock dude has trigger finger. Foul is called but the clock keeps ticking.
"The clock is really gritty," says the media.
"I have a clock, too," says Flavor Flav.
Sherron Collins shooting two: makes first, makes second.
Game over. Kansas 75 Memphis 68
The confetti is here. It's falling all over my computer and lap.
Kansas is on the floor celebrating and hugging.
They deserved to win and Memphis deserved to lose.
Eventually that horrible free throw shooting would catch up to them and it did.
I'll be writing this in just a bit: This was one of the best championship games I've ever seen.
Congrats to Kansas and good night!
