OK. So two teams I would have NEVER predicted have arrived on tonight's final game.

Kansas VS Syracuse.

Roy vs Boeheim.

Who's gonna win? Anybody know? I am totally clueless with this match-up. The only thing I got to go on is that Kansas totally blew out their opponents in the semis.

This is one of those games where I don't have a real rooting interest either way. So I'm just hoping for an exciting, close game. But I am leaning ever so slightly towards Kansas. I think I'd be happier to see Roy Williams win than Jim Boeheim.

yeah.... for some reason (and don't ask me why) I'm tending to think Roy Williams deserves it more than Boeheim.

Maybe cause Syracuse came in completely under the radar and maybe Kansas is a better team? I'm not sure.

Roy Williams says shit. Live on national TV.

It proved to be a far better game than it originally looked to be. Kansas certainly kept after the Orangemen, but when you are constantly behind trying to catch up, you are in trouble. They needed to get some momentum by tying or getting ahead. Those free throws were killers.

I wanted Kansas because I had them in the ESPN brackets,but I really like this Syracuse team.The only reason I didn't pick them was I just thought that their youth would show up and keep them from going all the way.Boy was I wrong- course I didn't count on Kansas missing 20 free throws either. eek!

As to Roys' saying shit- I thought it was Great.He tried to be nice,but that stupid mop-squeezer wouldn't take the hint and just kept pressuring him.At first he said he didn't give a "flip" about all the people who wanted to know what he was going to do,and that he understood her asking as a reporter,but that it wasn't very nice.Then the insensitive Bitch asked him again,and it just slipped out-"I don't give a shit about N. Carolina." I thought she looked like an insensitive clod, considering his team had just lost probably the biggest heartbreaker of his career.Reminded me of the chick at UCON that kept asking the womens' coach about how they'd deal with the "catastrophe" of losing to Villanova.

I know that stupidity and insensitivity among broadcasters and sportswriters is not limited to females.At the same time,I can't really think of a female sportscaster that I consider particularly competent. Or for that matter-one that I even enjoy listening to. :cool:

12 out of 30 at the free throw is beyond bad, it is simply horrific, especially in a game as big as this one was. If Kansas would have at least made 50% of their free throws, it would have been enough to tie the game!! Just as in the Texas game, as much as Syracuse fouls in the way they play, the opponent's failure to take advantage at the free throw line, along with their unique defense, decreases the chances of winning the game!!

[ April 07, 2003, 09:38 PM: Message edited by: SmoothRon ]
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From: St. Louis, Missouri |

Reminded me of Game 7 of the Lakers-Kings last year where the Kings lost the game from the free throw line. They should be the easiest shots in the world to hit, but we know otherwise.

Explain me to this:

Kansas wins on Saturday, over Marquette, by about 30 points. Their lead was over 30 by what seemed to be about two and a half minutes into that game. Yet Kansas loses the national championship to Syracuse, basically, because they were too exhausted at the end.

Roy Williams is ostensibly a genius. So with the semi-final game against Marquette not even a competitive game, and with his team thin on the bench, why wasn't Kansas rested and ready for the 'Cuse? Did Williams play his starters too long in the Marquette exhibition?

Charlie- It's funny that you bring the exhaustion issue up, because the announcers were discussing that very issue on Saturday night. They were saying that Williams should have sat the starters down at the beginning of the fourth quarter. They in fact played well into the bottom half of the fourth quarter, when the game had long been in Kansas' control.

smooth, im sue you mean he should have rested them midway into the second half when the lead appeared insurmountable. college plays two halves, pros play a dollar. wink

Bravo to Roy Williams! First of all, how many times must a reporter ask the same f**king question before they take a clue. The difference between this and Auriemma's outburst was that he challenged her qualifications to ask such questions based on her being female. He's the coach of the top women's basketball team in the country.

Second, why is shit so bad anyway? NYPD Blue has been saying it for years and they are prime time network TV.

Reporters have a job to do, but they often times have no sense for the occassion. I remember one time years ago when Chris Evert had lost a heartbreaking match at Wimbledon. The first question asked when she entered the press room was "Will you still be attending the Wimbledon Ball?"

Great job Syracuse ! And it's always cool having a northern team win

As for the shisnet incident, yeah the reporter pushed it, but we all know that coach is deserting Kansas for UNC. He should have made a statement during the tourney that he's NOT interested in UNC. How do the Kansas people feel about this ?

They replayed the "shit" soundbite several times - without bleeping - on KC morning radio shows this morning. Roy Williams is well-known around here for his end-of-the-season tears and emotions, and any local reporter would have known not to push the subject with him. The whole UNC thing has been almost a taboo topic on many radio and tv stations for several days.

As for Kansas losing, most of the reaction around here (KC is about 40 miles from Lawrence, so KC television stations are the "home" stations for the Jayhawks) is mostly laid-back, just sort of, "Well, they gave it their best shot; we're glad they made it this far; too bad they didn't win." Of course there are those die-hards who've gone into mourning, one of whom is a good friend of mine. I'm proud of how Kansas and Syracuse students conducted themselves in their hometowns last night, and so glad they found no reason to resort to the mob violence that has happened at other cities in recent years.

[ April 08, 2003, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: maxallen ]

Thats funny stuff, when you think about it, quite true.

From these parts, it's nice to see the men's women's and NIT championships all residing in the Big East. Now if we could only get spring to arrive.

This just in from the Iraqui Information Minister:

"Monday night Kansas hit 100% of their free throws and destroyed the infidel criminals from Syracuse. It was not even close. KU is in full control of the national title at this time. There is no reason for Kansas fans to be concerned as the reports that KU was defeated are absolutely not true."

Good one Max!!! Thanks for the chuckle!