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.

Tigers' Title Try Tarnished after Takeaway

The University of Memphis cherishes their storied basketball program. Authoritative head coach, John Calipari’s arcane action during the 2008 season has produced 38 fewer victories for the trying team. The NCAA stripped the Tigers of all 2007-2008 wins on Thursday. The hierarchy, known to be a corrupt entity in the past, ruled Memphis used an ineligible player during their run for the national title. That player is believed to be the Chicago Bulls’ number one pick in 2008, Derrick Rose. This penalty marks the second time Coach Calipari and the prestigious program vacated Final Four seasons. In 1985, the Tigers lost their appearance and Calipari’s Massachusetts team surrendered its berth in 1996.
Shirley Raines is the President of Memphis. Raines believes the NCAA’s ruling is unjust and unfair, and the University is appealing the penalty. The Tigers lost the 2008 National Championship to Bill Self’s strong Kansas Jayhawks team in overtime. I still consider that title game one of the best in college basketball history. Even though I despise the Memphis and am not a fan of Calipari, the NCAA takes another hit. I am tired of hearing reports and scandals involving players who cheated their way through class and teams that suited up ineligible students. It proves not only do the coaches and players not care, but the system itself if more concerned with athletic success than academic progress.
Calipari was essentially promoted after taking Memphis to the final two years ago. He now coaches a legendary, but temporarily struggling, program at Kentucky. Calipari is sure to resurrect the Wildcats and convince recruits to enroll at the university to play basketball. I doubt his reputation as a coach will be affected at all by Thursday’s takeaway. The NCAA report did not name the player who was ineligible, but all fingers point to Rose. The player was accused of having another student take his SATs so he would be eligible as a freshman. Rose was cleared to play in 2007 because Memphis did not have enough evidence to validate the accusations. The NCAA defended its decision to strip the Tigers of all victories that year because the named student played in every game. Rose appeared in all 40 games that season for Calipari.
My question is where was the infractions committee when someone else was conjugating verbs for Rose? NCAA chairman, Paul Dee, admitted the committee never bothered to investigate the SAT situation. How is that excusable? The Eligibility Center initially ruled Rose eligible to play even though his academics were called into question. Rose failed his ACTs three times before apparently sitting for the exam in Detroit. Why he would travel to Detroit is still a mystery not one NCAA official considered serious enough to dissolve. The ineffectiveness and laziness of the NCAA is concerning. However, the governing body of college basketball is not completely to blame for the situation. The Memphis athletic department should have made a better attempt to comply with standards and ensure players’ eligibility. Dana Kirk suffered similar violations with Memphis basketball in 1985. The consequences did not make a difference because Memphis allowed it to happen again. The athletic department was placed on three years’ probation. So what? Rose is now making millions as the NBA’s reigning rookie hoopster. He could care less about his cheating college days and the implications that incurred. Actually, the repercussions amount to nothing. The NCAA’s previous and numerous cases involving similar matters did not leave a lasting impact or impression. The players won’t receive post-season bans or lose scholarships. Calipari may be out a hefty stack of greenbacks, and Memphis has to return the revenues of the championship run. But Calipari will go on to coach at another school and the one he left has a blemished and tarnished legacy, but will continue to send players to the Big Dance. Basketball and life will go on. Unfortunately, so will the scandals.

Parting points: Song for Friday- Weezer’s “I want you to”