I'm not sure what the point is in picking this game...but I've "picked" every game since the sweet sixteen on this blog, so I have to follow the bit through until the end. My gut says to go with Memphis, but then I remember that Kansas was up 40-12 on North Carolina at one point on Saturday night. Again, I'm torn. Let's just throw something out there and see what happens.
Memphis over Kansas
- If it came down to the coaches, I would have never thought twice. John Calipari wins this contest hands-down. Graduates of Clarion University will not be denied. Memphis has bounced UCLA, Texas, and Michigan State over their last three games...and thrashed them all pretty well. This is Coach Calipari's time. I have absolutely no confidence in Bill Self. When they showed him on hands and knees in total relief after the win against Davidson, I knew this guy was more lucky than good. Self is already counting the days (and the money he'll get) until he goes back to Oklahoma State to coach his alma mater.
- Kansas has a tendency to turn the ball over and take bad shots. They turned the ball over 19 times against North Carolina and took a bunch of terrible shots against Davidson. The Jayhawks won't be able to get away with either of those things against an athletic Memphis squad that thrives on fast breaks and their transition game.
- Should Memphis win, my friend John's lovely fiancee, Jill, would win my NCAA pool. I also believe that she would win this championship over Chaz. A very intriguing and interesting sequence of events indeed.
- Memphis is still the position to play the (absurd) "nobody believes in us" card. If they win the title, I can't wait for the post-game interviews when the coaches and players all claim that they were never respected all season long. Please...oh please...would just one journalist or announcer point out to the Memphis coaches and players that they had one loss all season long!
- Derrick Rose has been the best point guard throughout this NCAA Tournament. I have ranted and raved that having great guard play is essential to winning the Big Dance. I'm sticking by my (not too radical or insightful) convictions. The Tigers will be your 2008 National Champions.
- Confidence in this pick: 7.6
1020 & 8101
So is this the end? Now that Kansas won, is this it? I propose that a NFL Draft Blog begin. Unlike March Madness, this blog would be just two weeks long...plus there are hundreds of stories that can be told (I mean, does it really get old to see the pieces on the Jets' bad luck in the draft....okay...yes it is).
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