Memphis vs. Kansas

If my boys from UNC had beat Kansas on Saturday, I would have little trouble finding a reason for them to beat Memphis. However, the Tar Heels decided to sleep-walk for 15 minutes, and instead we got the Jayhawks battling the Tigers. Here are a few thoughts I have on this game...

1) What's the big deal about Derrick Rose? Yes, he's a great player...easily one of the top freshmen in the country. But all of a sudden, ESPN is making it seem as if it's Derrick Rose vs. Kansas. All of a sudden, he is the greatest freshmen ever. All of a sudden, he is the #1 pick. All of a sudden, Mike Beasley never existed. Don't get me wrong, I think Rose is a hell of a talent. He's HUGE for a PG (even though I don't really think he's a natural PG), quick, fast, strong....just a beast athletically. This video should prove how explosive the kid is. And yes, he can score, pass, and defend. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. He's not the best player on his team - that honor goes to the VERY VERY VERY overlooked Chris-Douglas Roberts. Everyone who saw the game against UCLA knows that CDR is the main reason the Tigers won, not Rose. All I'm trying to say is that we should chill with the Rose hype - yes, he's good, but there's other players (on his own team!) that deserve equal praise. And although he's have an exceptional tourney, let's not pretend we missed Beasley's INCREDIBLE regular season...

2) Will Darrell Arthur show up? To me, he is the X-factor in this game. When he is focused, motivated, and on, he is the most unstoppable player on Kansas' roster. Yes, Rush is their go-to. However, Rush does not create the nightmares that Arthur can. If he is on, there is nobody on Memphis' roster who can stop the kid. Let's see how ready he is too play...

3) Which Joey Dorsey will show up? The beast? Or the bitch? Not much to say about this other than a focused Dorsey is the only way Memphis can stop Kansas' inside game...

Enough chop...time for my prediction. As much as I hate to say it, I see Memphis winning this game. I thought they were overrated all season, but I can't deny the run they've had this tourney (although I think Pitt could have beat them!). Kansas will put up a fight, but at the end of the day, Memphis has too much firepower and is too athletic to be stopped! Honestly, I'll be rooting for Kansas though...