Like Nate, I did not have much confidence in KU beating UNC on Saturday night. The way NC had been playing and the fact that KU beat a #10 seed (Davidson) by just two points in the previous game made me believe that NC had a distinct advantage.
Having said that, I could not believe what I was seeing in the first half on Saturday night. I have NEVER seen the Jayhawks play better basketball. I have always questioned Self and how he prepared his team for big games, but no more. Building a 28 point FIRST HALF lead agianst the overall #1 seed was almost too good to be true.
As for tonight, I am a little more confident. Memphis is a very good team with two top lottery picks and size on the inside but I have to take KU based on Saturday.
KU - 83
Memphis - 78
3 comments:
I agree. I have NEVER seen a team dominate another like Kansas did in the first 12 minutes. I was actually on the "In-Game" UNC boards during the game and those were some pissed fans. They were giving up.
But what happened after that? I actually thought the tide had turned at one point. I'm still convinced that Self can't coach in a big game, and I think the tell was the shot clock violation. Teams with great game plans never have shot clock violations. I really think that sometimes Self just lets his players play instead of establishing a game plan and sticking to it. Right now he has so much talent its probably hard to tell when he has a successful game plan or not.
Apparently I'm no good at picking games so I won't give a prediction, but I don't think Memphis is as good as UNC. This is the game that their free-throw shooting will bite them.
Just like the Texas Longhorns were "Mack-proof" in 2005/2006 with Vince Young...Kansas is "Self-proof" this year.
There is enough talent to bypass his bad game coaching and win.
I am taking Memphis...they have a better slasher in Douglas-Roberts and a better presence to block shots and rebound in Dorsey...that guy can play.
I think they are too physical to lose this one.
Memphis 85
Kansas 75
My predictions suck. At least I make them, unlike Goger who trash talks after the game. I think Memphis will win but it should be entertaining. Self is no different than any other big time coach. Most of them are second rate coaches but first class recruiters. Did you see the great Roy Williams in the 1st half? He couldnt do anything but sit there and shake his head. The problem with these coaches, including the likes of Coach K, Barnes at UT, Roy, Self, Dougherty formerly at UNC, all the Duke coaches who fail, etc is that they have superior athletes who most of the time carry them through. UNC 1st half was the worst coaching performance from a big time coach I have ever seen in a F4. He continued to let them chunk shots without even any assemblence of an offense. The best coaches many times come from lower divisions or small schools. That Bo Ryan is a great coach. Tom Izoo, Mark Pew and MIke Anderson (not).
Good luck to you Jayhawkers
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