National Final Game Thread

Wings

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Jul 25, 2007
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I don't get that last minute by Kentucky.
 
UConn hits the foul shots, and then Kentucky waits, what 10-15 seconds, then fouls, then Cal calls timeout, then they wait to foul until the shot clock is pretty low--I know the guy gave a good shot fake, but still.  
 
It wasa young team, but they don't look at the coach, and he can't tell them in the timeout foul immediately?
 
Terrible coaching or execution or both?
 

riboflav

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Jan 20, 2006
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NOVA
I thoguht I was supposed to turn the channel to TRUtv but it's all commercials. So anti-climatic.
 

mikepnq

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Dec 14, 2010
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This is kind of like last year's Sox team. Out of nowhere (ok, I thought they were in a bridge year, so not "nowhere," exactly) this team got hot and won it all. I'm in shock. What a team.
 

Deathofthebambino

Drive Carefully
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Apr 12, 2005
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Best two teams in the tournament played tonight, and the best team won.  Awesome run by UCONN, just awesome.  Didn't think they had that in them, but they proved me wrong.  Napier was the real deal.  Congrats to the Huskies on the board.  My brother is another, so I'm happy for him.
 
Long live the Big East.
 

Brickowski

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Feb 15, 2011
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The less talented but more intelligent team won.  Excellent coaching job by Kevin Ollie, not just tonight but throughout the tournament.
 

mandro ramtinez

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Aug 24, 2006
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Brickowski said:
The less talented but more intelligent team won.  Excellent coaching job by Kevin Ollie, not just tonight but throughout the tournament.
Uconn may have less elite talent but they were elite on D and it showed.
 

riboflav

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If UConn takes a shot with a second on the shot clock, there would've been only 16 seconds left in the game and it was already a two-possession game even if UConn missed the shot. Incredibly dumb strategy.
 
EDIT: Also Cal is risking not just a make by UConn with 16 seconds left but an offensive rebound - and a foul, which actually did occur.
 

mandro ramtinez

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riboflav said:
If UConn takes a shot with a second on the shot clock, there would've been only 16 seconds left in the game and it was already a two-possession game even if UConn missed the shot. Incredibly dumb strategy.
 
EDIT: Also Cal is risking not just a make by UConn with 16 seconds left but an offensive rebound - and a foul, which actually did occur.
Plus it was only 58-54 with 54 seconds left. Foul, hit a 3 and you still have a real chance.
 

Bergs

funky and cold
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Jul 22, 2005
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bosockboy said:
They have more titles in 16 years than Dean Smith, Bob Knight......in the age of parody this is a dynasty.
We are indeed in the age of parody.
 

SoxFan58

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Aug 16, 2005
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Sure hope Randle was hurt since Giffey was getting the better of him most of the second half
 

RedOctober3829

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Jul 19, 2005
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deep inside Guido territory
Over the last 15 years, UConn can lay claim to being the best program in the nation. 4 national titles, 5 Final Fours, 11 lottery picks. They've won as many titles since '99 that Duke and UNC have won in their histories. This is an unbelievable run.
 

Plantiers Wart

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Oct 16, 2002
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Deathofthebambino said:
Got a bunch of action tonight if anyone is interested in following along:

Parlay:  Kentucky -2.5, Over 133.5 (I got this in pretty much as soon as the lines came out, it's up to 136 now)
Aaron Harrison over 14.5 points
Julius Randle over 15.5 points
Julius Randle over 11 rebounds
Napier over 2.5 3point field goals made
UCONN over 7 3 point field goals made
 
I love bets that involve UConn shooting from deep because I think they'll have issues scoring inside against the size of Kentucky, but I like Kentucky to win the game for the same reason.  If it's really close, I like UConn to steal it at the end, so I may change some things up at halftime.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

Found no thrill on Blueberry Hill
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Sep 9, 2008
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Just saw on the crawl on CBSSN that Kentucky had the game down to a possession 12 times. The couldn't get the lead. There are a lot of ways to break down a game. Free throw disparity is rightly everyone will talk about, but it's notable that Kentucky actually made more than CT and also got 3 or 4 second chances off free throw misses. To me, though, something that jumps out almost as much -- UConn outrebounded Kentucky, and had fewer turnovers. Those are big stats. Napier had six rebounds. Kromah had six in 20 minutes.

Before the game, I didn't think experience would matter. Kentucky weren't playing like freshmen. But it did matter. The moment was too big for them to start the game. They made silly mistakes. Stepping on baselines, unforced backcourt violations, and just not being prepared for the moment. UConn pounced and then held on by making every play they had to, just enough. You felt if Kentucky could just get a lead, they would start to play more loose, but Connecticut didn't let it happen. That stat about it being a 1 possession game 12 times is amazing and was huge. Giffey and Napier were playing their fourth final four games in an 80,000 seat NFL stadium and I think it mattered.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Aug 23, 2008
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bosockboy said:
I hope the next time Randles suits up its in green.
Do you mean Milwaukee's forest green after the Celtics leap over them for the top pick? A no-defense PF is the absolute last thing Boston needs.