Da Big Game - Memphis or Kansas?

by Jon Johnston on Apr 7, 2008 10:58 AM CDT in Nebraska Husker Basketball

Men's Basketball season ends tonight and I have to wonder who you're rooting for, or who you expect to win - Kansas or Memphis?

I've typically ended up rooting for Kansas throughout the year due to Nebraska's lack of basketball prowess. It's become harder since Roy Williams left - I've never had a liking for Bill Self, maybe because he turned us down few years ago, and maybe because he's just.... well I think he's kind of a slickster. I've never had a strong liking for John Calipari for the same reason, so it kind of cancels that out.

Both teams look really good and Kansas has not yet choked. Memphis looks unstoppable. I'll be rooting for Kansas because, well, because that's what I've always done, but I don't think they can beat Memphis unless Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers catch on fire from the outside.

I'm glad I don't bet on games. It would take the fun out of them if I had something to lose.

Your thoughts?

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'm

rooting for Kansas.

by 96operator on Apr 7, 2008 2:03 PM CDT reply actions

I still like Kansas in this one...

For some reason, I think Memphis is still a little unproven; didn't play in a strong conference. It should be a good game though.

I don't hold Self's rejection of Bill Byrne's offer against him. He knew he could get a better gig...and he did a few months later. Byrne probably could have landed Self a year earlier, prior to Self getting Tulsa into the Elite Eight. (I think Illinois offered Self more than Byrne did, IIRC...) And Self would have already left Lincoln, so the point is moot.

by Husker Mike on Apr 7, 2008 4:30 PM CDT reply actions

okay

well, then he coached at a Big 10 school. And it was Illinois. I don't like Illinois. Okay, so maybe I really don't care all that much about Illinois one way or another, but I have to find some reason for disliking Self.

Maybe it's because he replaced Roy Williams, and Roy was like a father to me, the father I never had.

And Bill Self is like my plumber. He does a good job and I respect him for it, but we're never going to have a beer together.

Okay???!!!!

Go Big Red!

by Jon Johnston on Apr 7, 2008 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Kansas...

is really the only team that can beat Kansas. I think Saturday's game proved that. (For the first 15 minutes or so, it was like watching the Nebraska-Kansas game in Lincoln in 2007, with the Tar Heels playing the role of Nebraska, and I wasn't the only one who thought so...) So, if Kansas brings their A game for 40 minutes, I think they win and control the game fairly well. Every minute that the "bad" Kansas plays is going to swing the game about a point towards Memphis.

I'm pulling for Kansas, mostly so all the talking heads (except Doug Gottlieb, who doesn't bash) will stop bashing the Big XII for not having won a basketball championship.

Got Corn?

by huskerlibrarian on Apr 7, 2008 5:49 PM CDT reply actions

Ouch.

Good Kansas was so good out of the gate that it looked like fiction. Good Kansas led 40-12, overwhelming the tournament's overall No. 1 seed. Good Kansas treated the lordly Heels as if they were Nebraska.

Ouch. Somebody post this in the locker room to drive these guys in the off-season.

I have a strong feeling that Doc Sadler will eventually ensure that Nebraska won't be the poster child for Kansas a$$kickings for much longer.

by Husker Mike on Apr 7, 2008 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions