One Game Too Late

What a Championship it was last night, and what a way to lose a game...
I had free throws killing the Tigers in their two previous games because of the abilities of the two teams they faced, Texas and UCLA. But I didn't think talent would be the issue against the Jayhawks last night and I thought Memphis would cruise to an easy win...and that's exactly what they were on their way to doing until all hell broke loose.
Even though I had Kansas winning it all in my bracket, that choice had more to do with the "If I hit I win" mentality than actually believing this team was good. I mean, what was the last great college basketball team that didn't have a true go-to-guy. This team was well-rounded and deep, but I didn't pick them because of stats like these: 4 guys averaged in double figures for the year, none at 14 points or higher; Rush and Chalmers, their two best players and leading scorers, did not amass 20 points in consecutive games ALL YEAR; and they barely beat a Davidson team that was smaller, slower, and whose best player was having an off-day. I just didn't see them staying in this game, let alone winning it.

But then it happened, just like it was written up. The Tigers couldn't avoid their free-throw woes at the most important time of the season. I compared this team to the Giants, in that the two teams had blatant shortcomings in two key aspects of their games, and there would come a time when those flaws reveal themselves. The hope is that they don't surface in a championship game. Well, just like the Tigers, the Giants fell victim to their subpar kicker. Unlike the Tigers, the Giants were able to maintain composure and triumph in overtime. If only CDR was given the same chance at redemption that Lawrence Tynes was blessed with.

That said, you can't contribute the loss solely to the Tigers' free-throw shooting. There was another noticeable difference between the teams that may have served as a blessing in disguise for the Jayhawks. They were less talented, but that is what saved them in overtime when they ran a flawless offense and scored three quick buckets to all but seal the game. The Tigers, meanwhile, relied too much on their top three guys. By the time overtime came around, Joey Dorsey had fouled out, Derrick Rose was limping and beaten, and CDR's confidence was crushed. A betting man would have wagered his house on Kansas dominating the overtime period. So, looking back on it now, it was Memphis' pregame advantage that really became their downfall, as Kansas perfectly executed down the stretch to grab their 3rd National Title.