March Madness: The Final Countdown

So, here we are. A little over an hour until tipoff, and a massive battle awaits. Kansas and Memphis. Two powerhouses. And one great game ahead.

This has been a pretty incredible tournament - certainly one of the most memorable in recent history. Somehow, simultaneously, we got a combination of unpredictable upsets (to a historic tune in that insane day in Tampa), legitimate Cinderella stories (Stephen Curry is now a part of all-time March Madness lore), and powerhouses rolling. I said at the outset of the tournament that I thought there was a wide gap between the #1 seeds and the #2 seeds, and that turned out to be true. At the end of the day, the four #1 seeds all crashed the Final Four.

We were treated to quite a display in the national semifinals. Memphis came out and just kept control of their game against UCLA all game long. It was ironic that the explosive Tigers quietly dominated the Bruins. Despite the fact that the game was close for a long stretch, UCLA never really looked like winning. The tempo was set by Memphis, and they casually tightened the noose all game long until the experienced, talented UCLA squad found themselves lifeless.

The other semifinal was a back and forth battle. The difference in body language in the first half and the second half was telling for UNC. The Tar Heels looked like a hapless high school (or Ivy League) team playing against a national powerhouse. Roy Williams failed to settle down his team and help them establish some sort of offensive rhythm. Possession after possession, UNC would bring the ball downcourt, fail to create a good shot, and toss something up in desperation as the shot clock expired. Kansas would then grab the rebound, fast break down the floor, and get an easy basket while UNC still stood at the other end shellshocked. You had to feel for Hansborough - he looked more flustered than he ever has in his stellar college career. The second half, however, saw the return of Psycho T. With a fire in his eyes, Hansborough helped power UNC back into the game. They were just too far behind to make it all the way back. A 28 point deficit is almost impossible to overcome in college. Kansas regained control late and booked their spot in the finals.

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So here we are. Kansas - one of the best passing college teams I've seen. Fantastic defense. Fantastic offensive balance. Memphis - bruising backcourt power. Explosiveness. This has all the makings of a true classic. A fitting end to a tournament that I'll remember for years to come.

FIRST HALF UPDATE:
At the break it's Kansas 33, Memphis 28. So far, Kansas has looked like the better team. Their offensive sets have been more precise. Their spacing is exquisite. This has led to a slew of easy baskets in the paint. They are getting, as usual, balanced contributions from their top seven. They have had some sloppiness in passing around the perimeter, which has led to turnovers.

Memphis hasn't looked quite as sharp, largely because Kansas is shutting down Derrick Rose. He's getting cut off every time he drives and being forced to toss it back outside in desperation. He's turned it over a few times. His inability to penetrate has made it tough for anyone else on Memphis to get going. Anyone else, that is, except the incredible Chris Douglas-Roberts, who is making things happen all by his lonesome. He's got 13 - almost half of his team's 28. But he can only carry them so far. Rose has to get going and make it possible for guys like Dozier and Dorsey to get more easy baskets. Speaking of the double D's, they're going to have to watch their fouls, because there's not much on the bench for Memphis.

It will be interesting to see what adjustments Memphis makes at halftime. They have to find a way to get the halfcourt offense going. Stepping up the defense will be difficult against a Kansas team as balanced and as good at passing as this one is. But if Rose can get going, then this will be a different game altogether.

UPDATE AT 8 MINUTES TO GO:
The Tigers have pulled ahead. Both teams are playing at an exceptionally high level right now. Rose isn't quite untracked yet, but he's had more success penetrating and has hit a deep three to help add some juice into the Memphis attack. The team is cutting better now and the passing out of the middle has been better.

Meanwhile, Kansas has slowed down a little bit. They're taking a couple of bad shots inside. Also, because they were getting so many easy buckets inside early, they had almost nothing going outside - and they still have had almost no outside shooting. They're going to need to take advantage of their ability to get it inside and their great floor spacing to open up some outside shots. Rush and Chalmers can definitely hit those shots.

3:49 TO GO:
The Memphis resurgence is in full effect. Kansas can't get a bucket, and Rose just used his exceptional upper body strength to muscle in the first 2 points of a three-point play.

Oh, and what an incredible off-balance shot from Rose! With the shot clock running down, he tossed up a prayer and banks it in. That's the stuff of destiny. Hard to see Memphis losing now. They're up 8. However, I'm almost sure that one of his feet was inside the line when he went up for that shot. They gave him a three. It looked to me like a two.

And, it looks like I was right. Shot is changed to a two. Memphis by 7 it is.

44 SECONDS TO GO:
Woo-boy, what a finish this will be! Kansas with a furious comeback. The big play was a steal and a three off a Memphis inbounds. CDR just missed the first end of a one-and-one - will free throw shooting do in Memphis after all? Memphis by 2 with the ball!

Kansas misses a golden opportunity as Memphis misses the shot and Kansas pushes the ball down the floor on a fast break. Unfortunately it's not fast enough as a gang of Tigers swats the layup attempt away. CDR is fouled and misses both, but Dozier gets a HUGE offensive rebound - big mistake by Kansas there. They should have the ball now, but instead it's Rose on the line for 2.

Misses the first!

Makes the second!

Kansas rushes downcourt, almost loses it, time running out, Chalmers with a long three...

IT'S GOOD! WHAT A SHOT! PURE! NOTHING BUT NET! MARIO CHALMERS!

Dozier misses the desperation shot and we're going to overtime!

WHAT A FINISH!

Dorsey has fouled out. Memphis has missed 4 of it's last 5 at the line - so much for "they'll make them when it matters", eh Coach Cal? Kansas quickly scores the first two of overtime on a steal and a Rush layup - fasten your seatbelts!

2:29 TO GO IN OT:
Kansas has all the momentum. The precision halfcourt offense is back, and with no Dorsey guarding the rim, the Kansas big guys are getting better looks once the Jayhawks break down the Memphis defense.

Kansas is on an 18-3 run. Memphis down by 6, but certainly still with a shot. Have to stem the tide with a score here.

57 SECONDS TO GO IN OT:
Memphis is blowing it mentally - nonexistent transition D leaves Rush with an open layup - and then when he misses, there aren't even any Tigers around to contest the rebound, so Rush easily puts it in on the second try. As an impartial observer, that had more the look of tragedy than of comedy, but in any other situation, it'd have been the latter. And yet despite the wheels coming off, CDR nails a three and pulls his team to within 3. Kansas with the ball. This game is not over yet.

FINAL SCORE: Kansas 75, Memphis 68
Kansas hits its free throws and the Tigers doesn't have a miracle in them. Incredible comeback by Kansas. After the Rose three, it really seemed like this night belonged to Memphis, but they were upstaged by Kansas and Chalmers, who was named MOP. Arthur was quietly consistent all game long and was really better, but you can't not give the award to the guy who hit the shot that saved Kansas.

What a fantastic final. That was, as I had hoped it would be, one for the ages. Only one thing left now... and down come the nets. Here's to One Shining Moment for the Kansas Jayhawks, 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions.