Jayhawks Jostle & Jilt a Jaunty Jab

Kansas trimmed Memphis 57-55 in a rematch of the 2008 men’s Final Four championship last night in St. Louis. The Jayhawks narrowly escaped the Tigers when Elliot William’s three-pointer fell short of the basket and clanked off the rim as time expired. The Scotttrade Center showdown came down to the wire despite Kansas leading most of the game. These weren’t John Calipari’s Tigers, who performed wonderfully well in the clutch 18 months ago, but they did play exceptionally well until the end. The scrappy Tigers took full advantage of the sloppy Jayhawks’ 2 1 turnovers to hang with the number one ranked team until the final seconds.
The Tigers outscored Kansas in the second half, 35-31. Memphis kept the score low and was lead by Williams’ 21 points. Williams logged 39 minutes to lead all players in time and buckets. He was the lone Memphis shooter to score in double digits as the Tigers were woeful from three point range. The Tigers hit just 6 of 25 from the arc. Cole Aldrich compiled 18 points for Kansas with 11 rebounds and five blocked shots. Kansas’ leading scorer, Sherron Collins, added 12 points but left the game with a leg cramp. His exit helped Memphis rally, but Collins re-entered contest with just less than four minutes in regulation. Former Memphis recruit, Xavier Henry, perched 11 and Marcus Morris hung 10 for the Jayhawks.
Kansas dominated the first half by forcing shots and turnovers. KU maintained the lead, extending it to as many as six following a two-handed Aldrich slam off a rebound. Aldrich paced the Jayhawks with eight points and six rebounds in the first half. Collins nailed a shot at the buzzer to finish the first half on a positive note for the nation’s number one team. After the half, Bill Self’s Jayhawks opened the half by swirling the ball to Aldrich. The big man dunked an over-the-top pass from Tyshawn Taylor to jumpstart the Jayhawks. Taylor, a sophomore, was credited with a game high five assists. Kansas pushed their lead to ten on a Henry layup, and Aldrich dunked another dish from Collins to 52-45 with three minutes remaining. Memphis, playing for first year coach, Josh Pastner, came back to narrow the margin to three with a minute left. Memphis senior guard, Doneal Mack, bucketed a three pointer after Aldrich netted two from the charity stripe for Kansas. With just over 16 seconds on the clock, Williams hit falling-away three point shot to put the Tigers within one. Memphis was given one last chance because Collins missed one of two free throws with 15 ticks. Rebounding played a major role in the win for Kansas. The Jayhawks out-rebounded the Tigers the entire night, and it was the final one that eventually dispelled Memphis. Kansas secured the rebound on the Tiger’s final play to top Memphis, preserving the victory and an unblemished record.
Kansas goes into each game expecting to win. They won’t win every game unless all players chip in for Self’s Jayhawks. Aldrich and Collins are the two remaining players from the 2008 champions. The dynamic duo will rack up baskets but need their teammates to log a few themselves. Self’s longevity as a head coach has made Kansas a dangerous Division one dynasty. It won’t equate to championships unless all 12 men contribute. The Jayhawks hold the nation’s longest home winning streak with 42 victories. The Jayhawks barely escaped one in St. Louis on Tuesday. Perhaps the win will serve as a wakeup call that other teams aren’t going to lay down or let up against them this season. The Tigers came within inches of knocking off a number one team for the first time. Kansas’ depth and talent should have been more than enough to handedly defeat Memphis. Self struts a team with incredible balance and poise in the 2009 Jayhawks. The Tigers restrained their aplomb in the second half. It was an eye-opening game, and fortunately not a costly one for Kansas. But, Memphis justly joggled the Jayhawks last night.

Parting points: Song for midweek- “Here in your bedroom” by Goldfinger

Speaking of the Jayhawks, football coach, Mark Mangino , could be on his way out. A player complaint (not the first of an inappropriate conduct kind) may end the Mangino era in Kansas. An investigation is underway involving Mangino poking a senior linebacker in the chest.

Memo to the 0-11 New Jersey Nets- Scoring is kind of a requirement if you’re going to win games. Maybe it’s time for an overhaul so the Nets don’t keep getting obliterated.