9:13 - OK, I’ll go on the record and predict wildly: Memphis wins, 84-66. I’m not huge on predictions, but I’m also known for making a fool of myself. Interesting note: Nantz seemed to go out of his way to mention Packer’s 34th-straight Final Four broadcast. It does seem like this could be his last. Also, Self just made a nice speech to his team with a “be ourselves, go have fun” type deal. I’m ready, let’s tip this thing.

9:15 - Both Kellogg and Davis take Memphis to win it all. Gumbel correctly notes that no one is talking about Memphis’ free throw shooting anymore.

9:21 - Hey, weren’t we supposed to tip off right now? These team introductions are nice and dramatic. “Slick. Fast. UNORTHODOX.” That’s the Memphis Tigers.

9:27 - Totally random, but CBS’ first scores for Memphis and Kansas were 88 and 92 respectively, before each teams ACTUAL score was put up. Weird. And a weird play with that ball going off the official’s foot (the official is part of the court, by the way) and leading to a textbook ugly two points by CD-R.

9:31 - 9-5 Memphis at the first TV timeout. Memphis looks as confident as they have all Tournament long. CD-R stout on Rush right now.

9:39 - It’s 13-11 Memphis and it might be CD-R taking this team as far as it can go tonight. No one else is doing anything right now.

9:41 - Memphis in some unnecessary foul trouble early with Taggart and Dozier both with a pair. Each of them had a couple of ticky-tackers.

9:48 - 7-0 run for Kansas and now Dorsey just picked up a dumb over-the-back. 18-13, Kansas.

9:50 - The big guy’s in! Niles, who is about the size of a minivan, is in the game.

9:55 - Roy Williams in the crowd with a Kansas sticker on his shirt. That’ll draw some attention.

9:58 - CD-R is on pace for an all-time performance - already has 13 and ties the game at 28.

10:04 - Rose has been stifled so far. “Where is Derrick Rose?” asks Jim Nantz.

10:07 - If Memphis wants their mo’ for the second half, I’d suggest an alley-oop play or a nice screen ‘n’ roll out of this timeout.

10:11 - 33-28 Kansas at the half and what a wasted 60 seconds by Memphis. I feel bad that I told my buddy to take the over.

10:21 - Wheat thins and hummus. That’s just fine.

10:32 - Alright, the final half of basketball in the 2007-08 season. Memphis, I’ve got more than a month’s worth of rent riding on a win … I’m ready to be screwed over!

10:36 - And it’s 36-35 Memphis after Antonio Anderson takes charge in the first two minutes of the second half. That’s more like it.

10:40 - First TV timeout and it’s just as helter skelter as the first half.

10:45 - Wow. Rose cannot get anything to fall. Is it Kansas’ night?

10:52 - “I’m going to start giving credit to the Kansas defenders,” Billy Packer says with 11:18 to go in the game and Memphis only having scored 42 points.

10:56 - Is it Rose time? The frosh hits a 3 to get to double digits and Memphis is up again. Free throws could be big down the stretch…

11:04 - A steal and tear drop from No. 23. The Flower is starting to feel it. 51-47, Memphis.

11:08 - Rose misses a 3 with the shot clock winding down, Dozier grabs the carom, passes to Rose who has a sick move in the air … AND ONE! 53-47 Memphis with the foul shot coming … he makes it.

11:10 - Rose with a RIDICULOUS bank shot as the shot clock expires! “There’s the shot of The Tournament,” Nantz says. Stephen Curry and Ty Rogers may want in on that discussion.

11:14 - 3:36 to go and Dorsey sits with four fouls … let’s see…

11:16 - Huge, Brook Lopez-like bucket from Taggart to give Memphis a seven-point lead. Now, Dozier goes to the line to shot a one-and-one …hits both!

11:20 - Whoawhoa…Collins with a huge steal and then a BIG THREE. 60-56, Memphis and now it’s freebie time…

11:22 - Appropriately, Dorsey fouls out on a stupid play. (It was a hip check.) His college career is done. CD-R just hit two freebies to make it 62-56.

11:24 - Oh damn, CD-R misses the front end of a one-and-one … Arthur hits a huge fallaway. 62-60 under a minute and it’s tense right now.

11:26 - Terrible shot by Collins…CD-R gets his chance for two AND MISSES BOTH WHAT A BOARD BY Dozier.

11:28 - I don’t even know if I typed everything that needed to be typed … but Memphis begging to let Kansas steal this one. Rose HAS to hit these upcoming freebies.

11:30 - Mario Chalmers hits a GORGEOUS shot and we’ve got OT with Rose hobbling. What the hell is GOING ON.

11:35 - We’ve got OT and Kansas has all the mo’. Game of The Tournament without question. So glad it’s the last one.

11:38 - Memphis can’t get their rhythm going and it’s all coming back to the free throws. I can’t believe it, but it’s all coming back to the free throws. KU leads by six with just over three to go.

11:40 - I know it means something because my hands shake as I type right now.

11:42 - CD-R hits a 3 that was positively mandatory after Rush misses a breakaway layup but then gets the board for the bunny!! Memphis, you’re killin’ me. Jayhawks lead with 71-68 with 56.8 left.

11:45 - Dumb foul by Memphis sends Chalmers to the line and he sinks both.

11:46 - CD-R can’t lasso in a finger roll and the looseball/ensuing jump goes to Kansas. And TO when Collins slips on the floor! Still hope…

11:48 - Memphis officially has choked this one away. I can’t believe it. Just awful.

11:50 - “Rock, chalk, championship!” Is the call from Nantz.

Monday, April 7th, 2008 @ 8:13 pm Live Blogs, The Tournament
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