Memphis

[klipdawg]

The fact that State was the only close game Memphis has had on the way to the title game makes me feel a little better about losing to them.</p>

 

[MissStFan87]

Every time, it goes something like, "They rolled over Texas-Arlington in the 1st round ... Played Mississippi State in the 2nd round ... Then blew out Michigan State in the Sweet 16, before knocking off Texas in impressive fashion."

 

[Stormrider81]

We have a great shotblocker in the middle. When he was in the game the two teams were virtually tied or we were slightly ahead. When he was out of the game Memphis went on their runs. No team since has had the same kind of presence to stop Memphis' ability to take it to the hoop. Kansas doesn't appear to either.

 

[8dog]

good depth inside and has the athletes to go toe to toe with memphis. I really think they are the only team in this tournament that could beat memphis the way the tigers are playing.

 

[MissStFan87]

but I think they can match up with them in other ways. Kansas should be athletic and quick enough to limit Memphis' fastbreak chances. Something UCLA failed to do, and payed for it.

 

[Stormrider81]

I'm definantly not saying KU is weak inside. They played well versus UNC. However the question will arise of whether KU's guards can stop the penetration of Memphis. If not then Memphis will win because they don't have a Varnado to stop and alter shots. One thing is for sure, KU needs to shoot extremely well.

 

[VegasDawg13]

No team since has had the same kind of presence to stop Memphis' ability to take it to the hoop. Kansas doesn't appear to either.

Well, techincally no one else does either. Varnado is the best in the nation.</p>

 

[dogfan96]

We have a great shotblocker in the middle. When he was in the game the two teams were virtually tied or we were slightly ahead. When he was out of the game Memphis went on their runs. No team since has had the same kind of presence to stop Memphis' ability to take it to the hoop. Kansas doesn't appear to either.

The reason we played them close is because they didn't hit their FTs (they shot 47% from the line against us.. missed 17 FTs).. then they proceeded to shoot 74% vs Mich State, 83% vs Texas, and 87% vs UCLA. If they shoot in the 75% range against us, they win by double digits.</p>

 

[rebelrouseri]

No team since has had the same kind of presence to stop Memphis' ability to take it to the hoop. Kansas doesn't appear to either

Alridge had 4 blocks against UNC and that was w/ very limited minutes (couldn't understand where the hell he was early in second half). They are also very deep inside. They need to get Dorsey in foul trouble early and then it is going to be a game. Go Jayhawks!

 

[RebelBruiser]

Exactly. I think that was all about match ups. I said all along that if I was Memphis I would've wanted to face Oregon, Michigan State, and Texas on the way to the Final Four. Mississippi State, Pitt, and Stanford would've been a much tougher draw for them because all those teams had solid inside play. A lot of Memphis's offense is based off getting to the hole and creating the open jumper or scoring on the drive. Good athletes on the inside and guards with some size are needed to be able to compete with Memphis.

MSU had those things which gave you guys a shot at Memphis. Michigan State and Texas didn't have the inside force to compete, and their best scoring guards were in the 6'0 range not the 6'5 range, like Jamont.

 

[seshomoru]

Rose and CDR were the only two players to shoot free throws for Memphis aGAINST UCLA. Rose and CDR shot 25 of the 36 free throws in the Texas game as well. In our game, they only shot 16 of the 32.</p>

 

[RebelBruiser]

Exactly what I was thinking. And that again was due to style. Most teams have not been able to slow Rose and CDR down without fouling. State was able to do a decent job on them because of Varnado. Hence, Memphis's inside guys took more free throws than those two.

 

[fishwater99]

<span class="postbody">Here is how I see it.
You beat Memphis by playing a 3-2 zone and making them beat you from outside. We did this and it almost worked.
Kansas has better players than the Bulldogs and more depth. Kansas needs to hustle and get back on defense like they did against UNC.
On offense they need to work the ball inside out and get Dorsey and Taggert in foul trouble.
Kansas will run all night if Memphis lets them...
If it comes down to free-throws, even better for Kansas...
<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
Kansas +2</span>

Lean towards over 147.5</span>

 

[fishwater99]

Winner...

Great game Jayhawks...

Nice Choke Job Memphis.........