Kansas and Memphis made it to the NCAA championship on Monday night in San Antonio. However, some feel that these 2 teams were not the most likely to make it all the way through. Nevertheless, the Tigers and Jayhawks are the 2 best teams in this tournament. Only Kansas is on the same level as the Tigers in terms of depth, size and athleticism.
The Tigers were unstoppable during their game against UCLA where they celebrated a 78-63 victory. Derrick Rose stated that the team knew they were going to win before it even started. Despite being the Number 1 pick in many NBA mock drafts, Rose was never named first team All American. Joey Dorsey grabbed 15 rebounds without even scoring any points.
The Tigers' talent compensates for any lack of focus that there might be. They have now won 38 games, which is more than anyone else ever has in a season. After seeing the Tigers defeat Michigan State, Texas and now UCLA, it's safe to say that they could possible be the 2nd best basketball team in Memphis.
The Jayhawks played well on Saturday but were relieved that they avoided an upset to Davidson. They played tough against the Tar Heels, with a 40-12 first-half lead. Cole Aldrich only played a few minutes of the last few games but was the most impressive player on the court. He out fought North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough for rebounds, blocked shots, sending one halfway to Laredo.
No player on either Kansas or Memphis has received the notoriety that UCLA's Kevin Love or North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough had received this year. The pair comprises 405 of this seasons All-American team. Both Hansbrough and Love play very well. Love's forte is the chest pass and Hansbrough gets to the foul line often. Love finished with 12 points and 9 rebounds on just 36.4% shooting on Saturday. Hansbrough finished with 17 points in North Carolina's 84-66 loss. However, he was out played in the pivot by Aldrich in the first half and throughout by Kansas' Brandon Rush, who finished with 25 points.
Memphis up by 7 when Douglas-Roberts went back door along the baseline and received a bounce pass from Rose with 4:52 left on the clock. Love held his ground near the block as Douglas-Roberts passed him for the score.
Hansbrough was out manned late in game when North Carolina lost. Rush had the ball alone on the left side with Kansas up 69-61. Hansbrough stood between him and the basket. Rush went toward Hansbrough with the ball. Hansbrough stepped up to meet him. Rush threw the ball over Hansbrough's head to Darnell Jackson for the score.
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