NCAA tournament 2011 — running thread

Memphis actually went 20 for 23 from the line against UCLA in the Final Four and 30 for 36 against Texas in the Elite Eight. They certainly weren't a great free throw shooting team, but they were capable of making them in high-pressure situations. They just didn't that night.

Also, Calipari actually told his team to foul when KU dribbled the ball across midcourt, before Mario's Mircale. Derrick Rose tried to foul Sherron Collins, but it wasn't called, then for some reason he backed away as if he didn't want to be called for anything. Before CBS cut to a commercial at the end of regulation, Cal approached a ref and started arguing, because he wanted a foul to be called. His players simply didn't execute -- there, or on the line.

And as a KU guy, I'm more than happy with that. But Cal's not to blame that night.

 

Oz, with all due respect and from a man who likes KU's program:

Bolstered by a sparkling 12-for-19 effort (63.2%) in the title game, Memphis finished at a sizzling 61.4% from the line in 2007-'08.

The statistics suggest that team was bound to gag, particularly when the pressure was its greatest.

If memory serves, Memphis was 339th out of 341 teams nationally.

That sucks and Cal inisisted all season it wouldn't be an issue cuz his players could handle the pressure.

However, as I don't recall Memphis being in many pressure situations during the regular season I'm not sure how he could make that statement.

As for the free-throw shooting display in the tournament, TWO players hit all the attempts vs. UCLA. The only guys on that team who sniffed 70%. (Both finished 71.2% but both missed key FTs vs. KU)

The Elite Eight game wasn't a pressure situation. Memphis was up by at least 12 points for the final 12 1/2 minutes. Big difference stepping to the line with a double-digit lead than with the other team on your butt.

As for Cal's post-huddle chat with the ref, I remember it. But I also recall some contradictory statements afterward, raising the possibility that not everyone was on the same page coming out of the huddle after the timeout. Why did the defender (Rose) pull away late if the intent was to foul?

Last, the decision TO foul late on Saturday vs. UConn was a clear tactical error.

 

The volume knob on those microphones went all the way to 11.

 

Overnight rating was down 17 percent from 2010.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2011/04/05/Media/NCAAs.aspx

 

UConn gets 30 of 31 first place votes in Coaches' poll. Lone holdout takes tOSU.

 

Who's the idiot? And what stupid rationale was used? Let me guess:

Jim Calhoun. UConn had nine losses.

 

Isn't this a silly custom? What's the point of voting the day after a championship game?

 

It's harmless. Plus, for what will likely be the only time in basketball history, you get to see this in the poll:

6. Virginia Commonwealth
7. Duke
8. North Carolina

 

True, but up from 2009. And it looks like spreading the tournament across multiple networks paid off, too. Also, I know they want to get decent ratings from the West Coast, but I wonder if tipping off the game at 9:30 on a Monday night in the East isn't helping.

CBS earned a 13.3 overnight Nielsen rating for UConn’s 53-41 defeat of Butler in the NCAA men's basketball national championship game last night, down 16.9% from a 16.0 overnight for Duke-Butler last year. However, UConn-Butler is up 11.8% from an 11.9 overnight for North Carolina-Michigan State in ’09. Indianapolis led all metered markets last night with a 49.2 local rating, followed by Hartford-New Haven with a 28.8 rating. CBS did not win the night in primetime, finishing with a 10.0 rating, second behind ABC’s 13.1 in primetime for “Dancing With The Stars” and “Castle.” CBS and Turner for the entire tournament averaged a 7.2 overnight rating, up 9% from a 6.6 overnight last year, when CBS was the sole broadcaster. This marks the best tournament average since '05.

 

Zag,

Not to belabor your point, but you do realize that Mack is a junior and should be back, right? Add in Nored, Marshall, Smith, the two shooters, and that athletic dude that played well against Florida, and of course Stevens, and no, it's not a stretch to think Butler can be back next year....they have a lot returning

 

Kind of funny as I think about it. 2009 had LOTS of scoring, last night had none. But last night was a closer game.