KU's big week, Bilas gets feisty and more
Posted: Friday, April 11, 2008 2:51 PM
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Links roundups
A cavalcade of links, random thoughts and more from what’s been a fabulous college hoops week. Well, at least if you like Kansas...
The Jayhawks claim their first NCAA title in 20 years thanks to an amazing finish against Memphis. Mario Chalmers is now an immortal in Lawrence.
The big debate from the game: Did Kansas win or did Memphis choke? Depends on your perspective, but I’ll say this – it’s awfully hard to lose a nine-point lead in the final 2:12. But that’s what championship teams do. (As always, straddling the fence. What can I say?)
As for Memphis players, this was adding insult to injury.
Just days after the title, Kansas wins again: Bill Self passes on going home to stay at Kansas. He leads a charmed life. Kansas and athletic director Lew Perkins understand the price of success. Thankfully. Most of the nitty gritty contract details are here.
Now what for Oklahoma State? The Cowboys are re-grouping after Self’s decision. Uber-alum T. Boone Pickens won’t settle for an up-and-comer. “I buy big trees.”
Which brings me to this question: Best coaching job in college basketball?
Quick answer: It’s not Stanford.
The Cardinal probably need to look at mid-major coaches to replace Trent Johnson. Three names to consider are St. Mary’s Randy Bennett, San Diego’s Bill Grier and Nevada’s Mark Fox. (Just make it 2-for-2 with Wolf Pack coaches and hire Fox.)
Just throw Travis Ford’s name out there. It’s been everywhere else the last few weeks. He just said no to LSU and Providence.
So Roy Williams wore a Kansas sticker at the national title game. Big deal, he says.
Fun click of the day (audio required): Jay Bilas tells Dan Le Betard he’s an idiot (in so many words).
Ben Hansbrough could transfer to Missouri. Tyler’s little bro would be a welcome addition in Columbia.
Good piece from LZ Granderson on the good and bad in college hoops. (Quick version: Stay in school longer! Please!)
Off to the NBA: O.J. Mayo, Donte Greene, Earl Clark, Jerryd Bayless, Chase Budinger, Eric Gordon, Anthony Randolph and – reportedly – Kevin Love and Darren Collison. Michael Beasley will announce his intentions on Monday. If/when Derrick Rose enters the draft, he’s still my No. 1 pick, though.
Dickie V was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this week. Mark Kreigel is not amused. I was pleased to see Danny Manning get in, though. I still maintain he’s the best college hoops player of the last 20 years.
Matt James sums up my thinking. Like I said, big week.
That takes care of hoops season. During the summer, I'll focus on two main topics in this space: The NBA draft (position rankings to begin in May) and a big summer project ranking the top 25 college basketball programs. That'll start Tuesday with the schools who just missed the top 25. After that, I'll focus on one school a week. No. 1 comes in October. Have any predictions?
