Oklahoma State can blame Derrick Rose. They can also blame Chris Douglas-Roberts.
Let me explain. The stage in the 2008 National Championship Game was set very similar to 2003 National Championship Game.
Roy Williams, current coach of Kansas in 2003, had speculation around him about taking the void North Carolina coaching position going into the championship game. Roy Williams played basketball for North Carolina.
Bill Self, current coach of Kansas, had speculation around him about taking the void Oklahoma State coaching position going into the championship game. Bill Self played basketball for Oklahoma State.
In 2003, Kansas played a fast Syracuse Orangemen team lead by outstanding freshman Carmelo Anthony.
In 2008, Kansas played a fast Memphis Tigers team lead by outstanding freshman Derrick Rose.
In 2003, after the lose, Roy Williams was asked a very awkward question about if he was leaving Kansas to take the job at UNC.
Everyone was expecting Memphis, up by 9 with 2:12 left, to close out the game and become national champs. If that had happened...Bill Self would have been asked a very awkward question about if he was leaving Kansas to take the job at OSU.
But.....Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts couldn't make free throws. Between the two of them they missed 4 of 5 free throws in the last 1:15.
Also, in 2003, a last second 3 point shot by the Jayhawks was blocked. In 2008, a last second 3 point shot by Jayhawk Mario Chalmers (being guarded by Derrick Rose), was not blocked, went in, and the game went to overtime.
In 2003 Kansas lost and the coach left. In 2008 Kansas won and the coach stayed.
So Cowboy fans...blame Derrick Rose for no Bill Self in Stillwater.
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Good to know who I can blame. I'm not even sure if I'm going to care much who else they might get. Self was exciting because he's got Stillwater ties and might have stayed to build a program. Forgive me if I'm not that ecstatic about someone who can't even pinpoint Joe's on a map.
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