Missed Free Throws Doom Memphis, Kansas Takes Championship

At the beginning of this tournament I had been one of those people who didn't think Memphis would make it all the way to THE GAME. My biggest concern with them was their terrible free throw percentage (339 out of 341 teams) and a weak conference. I didn't think they would be able to win a close game against a quality opponent if it came down to making critical free throws. Memphis was able to prove me wrong this entire tourney because they never got into that situation. Last night however it got close against Kansas, and their free throw woes finally caught up with them.

Memphis missed 4 of their last 5 free throws towards the end of the second half. Those free throws, had they'd been made, would have sealed the Tigers first National Championship. NCAA basketball historians however will remember how those missed free throws gave Kansas' Mario Chalmers a chance to tie the game with a 3 pointer and only 2.1 seconds left in regulation. A chance Chalmers was more than willing to take, and make.


Mario Chalmers three pointer to end regulation capped a 9 point comeback by the Jayhawks with 2:12 to play in the game. The Jayhawks then went on to outscore the Tigers 12 to 5 in the overtime period thus sealing Kansas' first title since 1988. Darrell Arthur contributed a double-double scoring 20 points and collecting 10 rebounds. Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts led all scorers with 22 points. In what was probably his last game as a Tiger, Derrick Rose once again proved why he is the best point guard prospect in college basketball. He had 18 points, 8 dimes, and 6 boards. Rose in the second half scored 14 of his team's 16 points during one stretch to lift the Tigers to a 60-51 lead with 2:12 left. But that's when the wheels fell off the bus.

It was a spectacular game to watch. All the experts and personalities who said this tournament had no story lines and lacked excitement ate their words last night. Bill Self finally beat that monkey off his back and I think John Calipari is crying in a corner somewhere. It's hard to not love this game!