NCAA Championship Preview: Tradition vs. Street Ball

The curtain will soon fall on yet another college basketball season.

Surprises were plentiful as both finalists from last season’s NCAA championship – Florida and Ohio State – failed to be selected in this year’s big dance. Indiana, a storied basketball powerhouse has fallen from grace amidst a recruiting scandal which cost former coach Kelvin Sampson his job, and possibly his career. And, can we not forget about Stephen Curry?

And what about the incomparable freshman class that could be the top five picks in this summer’s NBA draft: Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Eric Gordon, Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo.

After six months of blood, sweat and tears, there is just one game left. Two teams are left standing and in just a few hours we will be celebrating a new college basketball champion.

Kansas and Memphis have traveled different paths with diverse backgrounds. Tonight, one school will leave San Antonio as champion while the other will have to head home with their tales tucked between their legs.

Ladies and gentlemen, get comfortable because tonight's main event will be a dandy. But first, let’s meet the teams.

Kansas (36-3) needs no introduction. They are a perennial powerhouse from the Big 12. They are the third winningest program in college basketball history. They have appeared in 13 Final Fours and cut down the nets in 1952 and 1988.

But, despite all their previous success, the past is just that – the past.

The Jayhawks have played their way into tonight’s title game because of balance, balance and more balance.

Four players average double figures with Brandon Rush leading the way at 13.4 a game, but will that be enough to stop the flurrying Memphis Tigers?

Kansas also has the experience needed by today’s standards to win the championship.

Rush and Mario Chalmers – the two leading scorers for Kansas – are both juniors. Starting point guard Russell Robinson and the fourth-leading scorer Darnell Jackson are seniors. Sophomore Darrell Arthur is the lone underclassman in Kansas’s starting lineup.

A balanced ball club with experience is a deadly combination to have, which is why Kansas head coach Bill Self should feel confident heading into his first championship appearance.

They Jayhawks are the sexy pick. They are the safe pick. They are the traditional pick.

Perhaps Kansas is just too traditional.

Despite reaching the title game seven times – which would be impressive and admirable to the honest observer – they come up empty too often.

It is hard to call a program with 1,942 wins overrated, but in Kansas’ case, when it comes to “the big game,” they are tremendously overrated. Consider all of the great players that have donned the Jayhawk uniform but have nothing to show for it:

Nick Collison, Raef LaFrentz, Paul Pierce, Kirk Hinrich, Mark Randall, Wayne Simien, Drew Gooden. The list can go on and on. Even Wilt Chamberlain was unable to lead Kansas to the promise land in the late ‘50s.

Kansas has also had an impressive fraternity of legendary coaches. Roy Williams. Larry Brown. Phog Allen, whom Kansas named its basketball field house after. And, we must not forget Dr. James Naismith, who invented the game of basketball.

This is Self’s first championship game appearance. After several near-misses at Tulsa and Illinois, Self finally got over the hump and reached a Final Four, but Kansas needs and deserves more than a Final Four apperance. A win tonight and Self can begin to write his place into history and align his name with Naismith, Allen, Brown and Williams. But a loss and he might be writing his own obituary.

On the other end of the court we have Memphis (38-1) from Conference USA, who takes a street-ball mentality and attitude into tonight’s championship. Memphis is just the second school since 1998 from a non-power conference (Big East, Big 12, Big Ten, ACC, Pac-10, SEC) to play for a national championship. You have to go back 10 years when Utah from the WAC played for the national title.

Memphis’ starting five looks more like a police line-up than five student athletes preparing for the biggest night in their young lives.

Despite their appearance, Memphis is 40 minutes away from the school’s first men’s basketball championship and nobody can take that away from them.

Memphis is the poster-child for the new brand of college athlete. Derrick Rose, their star freshman point guard, will lead the Tigers into Monday’s title game having just played perhaps the greatest and most all-around game a freshman has ever played on a stage as large as the Final Four.

25 points. 9 rebounds. 4 assists. 11-12 from the free-throw line.

Remember, just a freshman, folks.

Rose, perhaps the most polished gem of this year’s freshman class, has taken his team under his wing. Yes, I said it. HIS TEAM.

Kansas has a balanced attack. Memphis has a powerful 1-2 punch.

Which is more beneficial to winning a championship?

Rose makes the dazzling moves and shakes the defenders with a killer crossover, but junior Chris Douglas-Roberts is the heart and soul of the Tigers.

Douglas-Roberts scored 28 points to lead Memphis in Saturday’s semifinal win over UCLA, and he will need another stellar performance if he hopes to cut down the nets tonight.

Memphis is years away from being considered one of college basketball’s elite teams, but them playing in tonight’s championship is justified by their resume.

Nobody can argue the Tigers play in a weak conference, but look at who they have beaten outside of their conference:

They beat up on eventual tournament participants Oklahoma, UCONN, USC, Georgetown, Arizona and Gonzaga by a combined 60 points.

And aside from a three-point victory over Mississippi State in the second round, the Tigers have cruised through the NCAA tourney virtually unscathed.

They knocked off three top-20 ranked opponents in Michigan State, Texas and UCLA by an average margin of 17 points.

And remember, they are a 4-point loss to Tennessee away from being just the 14th school to enter the tournament undefeated. Instead, they had to settle for being the 20th team to enter the tournament with one loss.

Memphis is for real.

They are new to the spotlight, but they are poised. They are tough. They are aggressive. They are fast. But most importantly, they are big. They’re three starting guards, Rose, Antonio Anderson and Douglas-Roberts are 6’3, 6’6 and 6’7, respectively. Their two starting big men, Joey Dorsey and Robert Dozier, both stand 6’9. Will Kansas be able to compete with Memphis’ size and ferociousness?

Success may be new to the Memphis basketball program, but their coach John Calipari took a Marcus Camby-led UMass team to the 1996 Final Four, where they lost to eventual champion Kentucky.

So what does all this mean? Absolutely nothing. That is why they play the game.

Rush could twist his ankle in the first half. Dozier and Dorsey could be forced to the bench with early foul trouble. Somebody could get hot from behind the arc. Kansas has not forgotten their last title game appearance in 2003 when Syracuse freshman Gerry McNamara drained six 3-pointers in the first half en route to the title.

Despite all four No. 1 seeds making the Final Four, everybody assumed North Carolina and UCLA would meet for the title while Memphis and Kansas would settle for the consolation prize.

UNC and UCLA exit stage right. Kansas and Memphis, the floor is yours. Enjoy it. Cherish it. Live it up because life is short so appreciate this opportunity while you can.

DFRESH PREDICTION: As mentioned before, Memphis has cruised throughout the tournament. They are high flying and playing with confidence. Their multiple double-digit victories have allowed them to relax and rest. They are peaking at the perfect time.

On the other hand, Kansas is reeling. They had to withstand an overachieving Davidson squad in the regional final and nearly blew a 28-point lead to UNC on Saturday. Kansas looked impressive early and late against UNC, but it takes a full 40 minutes of basketball to be crowned national champion.

Memphis has all the momentum flowing in their direction, and they will use their size advantage in the paint and on the perimeter until Kansas crumbles into submission.

Elvis is leaving the building…with the national championship.

Memphis 84, Kansas 70

Paul Tracy: The Next Indy 500 Winner?

When Paul Tracy last stepped foot into Gasoline Alley, he was a robbed man.

During the final moments of the 2002 Indianapolis 500, Paul Tracy had eventual winner Helio Castroneves in his sights. He inched closer and closer to the realization of a dream; his dream of being a 500 champion.

Finally, Tracy made his move, but it was a split-second too late. Just as Tracy was making the pass between the third and fourth turns, Laurent Redon and Buddy Lazier got together and crashed and brought out a caution.

Unfortunately for Tracy it was too little, too late. He did not complete the pass of Castroneves before the caution came out, therefore clinching the second Indy 500 win for Castroneves and the 12th win for car owner Roger Penske.

Despite numerous protests by Tracy and team owner Barry Green, the original decision was upheld and Castroneves was declared the champion.

To this day, Tracy still declares himself the 2002 Indy 500 winner.

Soon, he will get a chance to tackle the Greatest Spectacle in Racing again.

Or will he?

When the open-wheel unification occurred, it was assumed that Tracy’s Champ Car team, Forsythe Racing, would make the transition to the IRL. But it was reported today that Forsythe Racing is closing shop due to a lack of sponsors in the new league.

So, if Tracy returns to Indy, it will not be in as a member of Forsythe. So, who will take the risk of hiring Tracy.

He is an accomplished driver and racer. Tracy made his race debut at the 1991 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and has amassed 31 career wins. His career culminated in 2003 when he won the Champ Car series championship.

Somebody please pick up their phone and call Tracy. He needs to be participating in the IRL. He needs to be driving in a top-notch open-wheel racing series. He has flirted with notion of joining other open-wheel drivers in NASCAR, but that is not Tracy’s cup of tea. NASCAR has enough open-wheel drivers now. They can wait.

Tracy needs redemption. He deserves an opportunity to settle his score with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Whether it is a new IRL team or an already-established team, somebody needs to pick up the phone, send an e-mail, a text message – something – and hire Paul Tracy.

Whether on a part-time or full-time basis, Tracy needs to be behind the wheel when the IRL seasons kicks off in Homestead, Florida on March 29.

But, if the powers that be in the open-wheel fraternity opt not to hire Tracy for the season, at least hire him to run the Indy 500.

You never know. Karma works in mysterious ways. Perhaps this year Tracy will be claiming victory while another driver cries “foul.”

How to Cure the Sampson Hangover in B-town

Kelvin Sampson, exit stage right. 694 days after being hired as Indiana basketball coach, Sampson was shown the door after being involved in repeated scandals involving improper recruiting practices and severe moral turpitudes.

The worst crime Sampson committed was embarrassing a pristine university with a previously squeaky-clean record; morally, academically, and athletically.

Sampson did his damage – more than he should have been allowed to – but damage control is in full force.

Indiana – once a proud and shameless university - has become the laughing stock of the NCAA – of the sporting world – of the country.

Sampson has been punished. He is a proven liar and cheater. His resignation and contract buyout from Indiana proves that. Barring a miracle that would rival the Miracle on Ice in 1980, he will never coach Division I basketball again. Or Division II. Or Division III. It would come as a shock if even a high school in Mexico with an enrollment of 300 would take a chance on a black eye like Sampson.

So, what does Indiana University do to move on? How can they move on after being thrown into the national headlines from being involved in a scandal?

How can Hoosier Nation be proud again?

Well, here are some ideas that IU president Michael McRobbie and his board of trustees can think about to get the ball rolling.

First and foremost, the players who skipped Friday’s practice to protest Sampson’s dismissal need to be disciplined. Armon Bassett, D.J. White, Jamarcus Ellis, Jordan Crawford and DeAndre Thomas all deserved to be punished. Brandon McGee also failed to show up at practice, but how does one discipline a player who averages less than seven minutes per game?

Minus McGee, the five significant players who skipped out of practice need to be punished. A fair punishment would be a first half suspension of their upcoming game on Tuesday against Ohio State. Actually, a proper punishment would have been some type of suspension against Northwestern, but hindsight is 20-20.

The Hoosiers’ lack or respect towards both the university and new coach Dan Dakich should not be tolerated. Apparently, the aforementioned players preferred assistant coach Ray McCallum to take over instead of Dakich.

The IU administration did not agree. Live is not perfect. Deal with it. Play the game.

Indiana must make an example. Yes, these young student athletes went through an emotional and trying time, but that is no excuse. Remember, it was this very same (or similar) IU administration that coined the term “zero tolerance.”

Zero tolerance means zero tolerance. Had these select individuals skipped one of Sampson’s practices, they would have been seated next to him for a game and played the role of water boys.

An example must be set. If that means spotting the Bucks 10 or 20 points in the next game, so be it. Indiana’s transition to a new coach must not begin with the prisoners running the asylum.

Secondly, IU athletic director Rick Greenspan has to go. No questions asked. He needs to call U-Haul and reserve the largest moving truck available – one that would be big enough to hold his ego.

Back in 2006, Greenspan had the perfect opportunity to leave his mark on Indiana. He had the chance to restore tradition and glamour at IU. He could have restored credibility to Hoosier Nation. He should have re-established the righteousness that former and future IU alums can respect and admire.

What did he do? He hired Sampson – who was already under investigation by the NCAA – and regretfully fired him less than two years later when he brought on more allegations and violations for breaking the very same rules that created the initial investigations.

Once a cheater, always a cheater. Cheaters never win. Insert cliché here.

If this man were given a second chance to hire a head coach, it is scary to think about who might be next to pace the Assembly Hall sideline. Jerry Tarkanian?

Thanks for your help, Rick.

Thirdly, the interim tag from Dakich’s title needs to go. In the words of the famous Tammy Wynette song “Stand by your man.”

Remember the last time IU chose to hand out an interim head coach title to Mike Davis? IU had sudden and unexpected success which was followed by a downward spiral of failure, which eventually led to his dismissal as well.

IU needs to reward Dakich for his commitment to the university. Reward him the four years he spent as a player at IU in the early-to-mid ‘80s. Reward him for the 12 years he spent as an assistant coach under Bob Knight. Reward him for all the years out on the recruiting trail in hopes of improving the basketball program.

Apologize to him for already been passed over twice, and then reward him with a five-year contract to be the head coach at Indiana University. No questions asked.

Let’s face it. IU is about to receive a death sentence from the NCAA. It would be difficult to attract a big-named coach to Bloomington with recruiting and scholarship restrictions and the possibility of post-season banishments.

Forget That Matta. Forget Mark Few. Forget John Calipari. And please, heaven forbid, for the last time, forget about Steve Alford.

Dakich is the man. He is the new general. Make it happen. Make it right.

Finally, with Greenspan out of the loop, that athletic director position is still open. Do we even dare mention the initials RMK?

Robert Montgomery Knight.

Bob Knight would be the perfect fit as AD at IU. He would restore credibility with his academics-first mentality. He would restore the honor that has been destroyed by the previous two head coaches. He would continue the enthusiasm towards the basketball program that was rejuvenated by Sampson (perhaps his one positive mark he left on IU). And, he would bring back the entertainment factor at IU. Who would not want to see Knight throw a chair from the 5th row?

Plus, with Dakich working for his coach and mentor once again, something special could develop at IU for many years to come. Big Ten Championships. Final Fours. National Championships.

Dakich and Knight won an NCAA championship together in 1987; if given a fair shake, the duo could very likely do it again.

But, do not get your hopes up. There is a better chance of Eric Gordon playing four years at IU than Knight stepping onto the Bloomington campus, let alone setting foot inside the Assembly Hall.

Nevertheless, this is the plan that needs to be followed. This is the blueprint to executing the resurgence of Hoosier Nation.

The punishing of the Sampson-lovers, removal of Greenspan, rewarding of head coach Dakich and the bringing back of The General as athletic director is a recipe for a championship in B-town.