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The Blues Ring Out in Memphis

The Tigers had only just begun to believe they could make it

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 8, 2008 12:36 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Memphis coach John Calipari had told his team's fans to "Expect good things to happen," and they did. Chris Douglas-Roberts and Derrick Rose knew their Tigers had the chance to snatch the NCAA crown away from Kansas, and for a while it looked like they would. Instead, the Commercial Appeal finds itself writing an elegy to a team that could have.

The team had all the elements of a heady victory: flashy shots by Rose, swishing free throws, a nine-point lead. Then came the last 75 seconds, which saw Rose and Douglas-Roberts brick four shots from the line. And then came Mario Chalmers's game-tying three-pointer, when he should already have been fouled by the Tigers. "We should have won," said Calipari.

Memphis' Robert Dozier (2) sits in the locker room after his team's 75-68 overtime loss to Kansas in the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four, Monday, April 7, 2008.
Memphis' Robert Dozier (2) sits in the locker room after his team's 75-68 overtime loss to Kansas in the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four, Monday, April 7, 2008.   (Associated Press)
Memphis' Pierre Niles (4) sits on the bench as the celebration begins for Kansas at the conclusion of the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four April 7, 2008, in San Antonio.
Memphis' Pierre Niles (4) sits on the bench as the celebration begins for Kansas at the conclusion of the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four April 7, 2008, in San Antonio.   (Associated Press)
Memphis' Derrick Rose (23) covers his face in front of Kansas' Sherron Collins (4) and Mario Chalmers, left, late in the overtime period of the championship game in San Antonio. Kansas won 75-68.
Memphis' Derrick Rose (23) covers his face in front of Kansas' Sherron Collins (4) and Mario Chalmers, left, late in the overtime period of the championship game in San Antonio. Kansas won 75-68.   (Associated Press)
Kansas' Darrell Arthur (00) celebrates with teammates in front of Memphis' Robert Dozier, right, after Kansas' 75-68 overtime win in the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four.
Kansas' Darrell Arthur (00) celebrates with teammates in front of Memphis' Robert Dozier, right, after Kansas' 75-68 overtime win in the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four.   (Associated Press)
Memphis' Joey Dorsey (3) sits on the bench in the overtime period against Kansas in the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four Monday, April 7, 2008, in San Antonio.
Memphis' Joey Dorsey (3) sits on the bench in the overtime period against Kansas in the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four Monday, April 7, 2008, in San Antonio.   (Associated Press)
Memphis players sit on the bench during the final seconds of their 75-68 overtime loss to Kansas in the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four, April 7, 2008, in San Antonio.
Memphis players sit on the bench during the final seconds of their 75-68 overtime loss to Kansas in the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four, April 7, 2008, in San Antonio.   (Associated Press)
Memphis' Antonio Anderson (5) grabs a rebound between, Kansas' Mario Chalmers, left, and Darnell Jackson, right.
Memphis' Antonio Anderson (5) grabs a rebound between, Kansas' Mario Chalmers, left, and Darnell Jackson, right.   (Associated Press)
Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts (14) loses the ball between Kansas' Darrell Arthur (00) and Brandon Rush, right.
Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts (14) loses the ball between Kansas' Darrell Arthur (00) and Brandon Rush, right.   (Associated Press)
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The flipside: A Jayhawks fan exults
Deadspin

Calipari got his poetic justice
Orlando Sentinel

The Female Fan loved the drama
Female Fan

 
NCAA basketball • Memphis Tigers • Derrick Rose • John Calipari • Mario Chalmers • Chris Douglas-Roberts • 2008 NCAA Tournament • Kansas Jayhawks • college basketball

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