The Melo Backpedal

Now that the NCAA Tournament has come to an end and we’ve crown a national champion, here’s a few thoughts I had about the game and about where each team stands going into the offseason. Does either of these two teams have what it takes to get back here next season?

In my opinion, this was one of the better national championship games I’ve watched over the years, though the offensive production was so horrific in the first half, I nearly changed the channel. Plus, I can scarcely believe I actually sat through a whole game with Jim Nance and Billy Packer. They are two of the biggest idiots in the business and every word they take is something I could write an entire slanderous post about. Packer is already one of the most hated figures in college basketball, but how about Nance saying the desperation Derrick Rose 18-footer off the backboard was “the shot of the tournament?” Has this guy been watching the same tournament as the rest of us? Best shot that wasn’t even a game-winner? If Memphis had retained the fraudulent three points they received on that two-point shot and won the game by one point as a result, then perhaps Nance would’ve been right — but he clearly wasn’t. If I’m a Kansas fan, I’d despise the fact that every time I watch clips of this game in the future, I’d have to hear Nance’s pathetic attempt at a memorable tag-line — “Rock Chalk Championship!” I couldn’t think of anything more lame if I tried.

It was briefly mentioned on CBS that John Calipari probably should’ve tried to foul Chalmers before he got the shot off that sent the game into overtime with 2.1 seconds remaining in regulation. When it happened, I was shocked that the foul didn’t come because it obviously would have sent Chalmers to the line with a chance to make two free throws and Kansas down by three. Perhaps coach Cal did tell his players to foul Chalmers, but they couldn’t get to him or perhaps he didn’t think anybody on the Kansas squad had the guts to take, and knock down, a game tying three pointer in the championship game. Whatever the case, he’ll have all offseason to think about the possession that ultimately cost him and his team their first national championship.

As for Chalmers, he’ll go down as immortal in Kansas Jayhawk history. Paul Pierce, Raef LaFrentz, Jacque Vaughn, Adonis Jordan, Kirk Hinrich, and Nick Collison may have been better players, but they’ve got nothing on Chalmers in the eyes of Kansas fans now. As a student at Syracuse, and a fan of the basketball team long before I became a student, I can attest to the fact that players that win championships hold a special place in the hearts of their fans and alumni. The rest of this Kansas squad will be immortal as well, but perhaps to a lesser degree — if that’s even possible.

One of the things that I thought was blown totally out of proportion was the point that was taken away from Memphis with only a few minutes left to play that would’ve ultimately given the Tigers the victory. On the play, as anybody could clearly see, Derrick Rose was in front of the line, yet was given three points for the shot. After looking at the replay on the next dead ball, the officials realized their mistake and took a point away. It may have taken some momentum away from Memphis, but they were winning by six or seven at the time, so they should’ve simply buckled down and finished the game instead of letting it bother them. As much as I respect coach Cal for taking responsibility for his teams loss, it was rather disturbing to hear him say after the game that he plans to speak with the NCAA about taking away the officials ability to look at replay. Come on, coach, don’t you want the correct call to be made? If the goal is to ultimately get it right, I’d say that was certainly done in the context of this game.

The NCAA Tournament should’ve been nicknamed “The Derrick Rose coming out party,” as he dominated every player that he was matched up against, including several potential first round picks in the upcoming draft. He had somewhat modest numbers during the regular season, but when it counted most in the six tournament games, he averaged 20.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 6 APG, including 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists in the championship game. Had Memphis won, he’d be the latest freshman to lead his team to a title since Carmelo Anthony did it for Syracuse five years ago. He’ll leave Memphis having only lost two games in his college career. Though he’s been number two behind Michael Beasley on our Top 25 since last June, he may be able to overtake Beasley if the right team wins the Draft Lottery (Perhaps Miami).

If one nationally televised championship game performance can dramatically change a players draft stock, then Darrell Arthur is the player this year. Not only did he enhance his status by getting additional exposure as a national champion, but his 20 points, 10 rebounds were very impressive and he even showed the ability to hit the 15-foot jumper, which was a major concern of several scouts prior to the game. Its likely that he’s still in the mid-first round, but he may now be considered the third-best power forward prospect for the upcoming draft.

Now to the question on most people’s mind — do either team have the goods to get back to the title game next year? It’s going to be very difficult, I won’t lie. I’ve already started looking into which teams will be the best next season, and both are outside of my top ten. With Memphis, they lose Joey Dorsey to graduation and you’d have to believe Rose and Douglas-Roberts will submit their names into the NBA Draft. They’re only real hope of returning is by getting a commitment from an unsigned recruit out of Philadelphia named Tyreke Evans. He’s a big-time player and could replace Rose in the starting lineup. If they snag a commitment from him and retain CDR, then they have a chance. As for Kansas, they’ll lose Robinson, Kaun, and Jackson to graduation, and possibly even Rush and Arthur to the draft and Bill Self to the Oklahoma State job. There are several questions that need to be to answered before considering them a contender again next year.