We're calling off the dogs on Memphis tonight. Kansas opened as a 1.5 point favorite, but in two days, Memphis backers, entranced by the talents of Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts, have bet Memphis up to a 2 point favorite.
But Rose skipped media day yesterday due to a stomach ailment. According to teammate Joey Dorsey, "he eats Gummy Bears and Starburst for breakfast, and Twizzlers and Honey Buns for dinner." Douglas-Roberts used media day as an opportunity to let us know that he's never lost a game of one-on-one. But it will be five-on-five tonight, and Rose and Douglas-Roberts will be up against some of the best defending guards in the nation in Kansas's Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers, Russell Robinson, and Sherron Collins
SI.com's Stewart Mandel points out Kansas's advantage in depth, scoring balance, and defense, and notes that "[i]n an age of one-and-dones and constant roster turnover, Kansas is the rare team that has kept together the same nucleus -- Rush, Robinson, Chalmers and Sasha Kaun -- for three seasons, adding Collins and Arthur last season and gradually building itself into a championship-caliber team."
At the outset of the Tournament folks questioned Memphis's ability to win because they couldn't shoot free-throws, and had played a weak Conference USA schedule. These folks appeared to be correct after the Tigers were pushed to the limit by Mississippi State in Round 2, narrowly escaping with a three point win. Now that Memphis has soundly beaten what we think are three overrated teams in Michigan State, Texas, and UCLA, they are everyone's darling.
Mandel quotes Bill Self's description of his Kansas team: "Not very often do you combine talent, experience, depth and toughness [like this team's]." It's even less often that you see a line move 3.5 points away from such a team winning in a high profile championship game. The Pick: Kansas +2.
Overall Picks record (7-7 (50%)). NCAA Hoops (6-6 (50%)).
Halftime Update: Kansas has a five point lead. This game is going as we expected. We doubt that Memphis, after watching YouTube highlights of themselves all weekend, have the wherewithal to come back against this tough Kansas team, Memphis's best big man Joey Dorsey is notably tired, and Kansas's depth should be an even bigger factor in the 2nd half. Shockingly, Memphis is a 2.5 point favorite to win the 2nd half. Can it be that these Memphis backers can't let go? We're going to pile on with a 2nd half play. The Pick: Kansas, 2nd Half, +2.5.
3 comments:
First of all, that Kansas video is insane. Second of all, their singer looks like the strokes singer but with a mustache. third of all, finally, derrick rose would look rather fetching in orange and blue....(and dose pinstripes would look rather slimming on sabath)
Good call Frowns, good call. I stayed away from this action, just didn't have a good feel for it. Although I was cheering for Memphis so I could link to this song: http://sicilyisnecessity.imeem.com/music/XVq23FF_/gin_blossoms_memphis_time/
good last minute switch, helped by the Memphis collapse
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