Kansas guard Mario Chalmers earned the glory of last nights 75-68 victory against the Memphis Tigers by nailing a three-point bucket with 2.1 seconds left in regulation to send the championship game to overtime.
“It’ll probably be the biggest shot ever made in Kansas history,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. [Source. Yahoo Sports]
Despite the Jayhawks' victory, Memphis freshman Derrick Rose was the star in the second half, scoring 14 of the team's 16 points during one stretch to put the Tigers up by nine points with just over two minutes left in regulation. Yet, Memphis has had free throw shooting woes all season. Those woes finally caught up to them, as Chalmers' big shot came just after the Tigers missed four of five key free throws late in regulation.
The game was bizarre and truly a treat for fans who watched it.
"Being up seven, being down nine, being up two, down five, going to overtime," Kansas center Cole Aldrich said. "We fought it out, and it's surreal. It's nuts." [Source. Yahoo Sports]
There hasn't been an overtime in the title game since 1997, when Arizona defeated Kentucky 84-79.
For Kansas, forward Darrell Arthur had his best game of the tournament, shooting 9-13 from the field for 20 points. He also had 10 rebounds to go along with it. Chalmers finished with 18 points and four steals and was a perfect 6-6 from the foul line.
For Memphis, Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 22 points, while Derrick Rose added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Robert Dozier had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tigers shot just 40% from the field and 63% from the foul line, while the Jayhawks shot nearly 53% and 93% from the line. Kansas also won the rebound battle, 37-27, though they did commit more turnovers (17-14).
With a championship under his belt, Kansas coach Bill Self now faces the issue of the future. Other universities will likely be knocking at his door and offering attractive deals to entice him away from Kansas.
"What I’d like to have is like everybody’d like to have,” Self said. “I’d like to have some security. I don’t know what even Kansas would remotely be talking (about). We haven’t even talked about that. When I say security, I mean years, so hopefully that’ll happen.” [Source. Yahoo Sports]
Where Self ends up will be a big story in the offseason. Meanwhile, Kansas and Memphis look to the future as both teams are likely to lose players to the NBA.
Memphis may lose Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts to the NBA. Big man Joey Dorsey is gone for sure, as he's a senior.
Kansas will likely lose guard Brandon Rush, who declared for the NBA Draft last year, but opted to return to school because of an injury. Self expects to lose at least five players from his roster.
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Sources consulted:
- "Chalmers' 3-pointer lifts Kansas to OT and a 75-68 championship victory over Memphis", Yahoo Sports, Accessed on 8 April, 2008.
- "With newly minted national title in hand, Bill Self looking for ‘security’ from Kansas", Yahoo Sports, Accessed on 8 April, 2008.
