April 2, 2012
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
Last night, in the New Orleans Superdome, the Kentucky Wildcats became NCAA men’s basketball champions for the eighth time. While the school has had the honor before, the team’s coach, John Calipari, has not. Calipari has been to the Final Four three times before, including a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Kansas Jayhawks in the championship game as coach of the Memphis Tigers.
The 67-59 win was a cherry on top of what had been an impressive season. The Wildcats boasted a 38-2 overall record, including 16-0 in the SEC, which clinched their 45th consecutive SEC regular championship. They entered the bracket as a No. 1 seed and easily rolled over opponents such as Iowa State, Indiana, and Baylor on their way to their second consecutive Final Four appearance. While they faced a worthy contender in No. 4 seeded Louisville, who outrebounded them 40-33, it was obvious anything less than the national championship would be a failure for the freshman-dominated Kentucky. They managed to take control of the board in the final minutes to capture the game by eight points and advance to their first national championship under Calipari.
Anthony Davis, the standout freshmen forward who has been regarded as this year’s best college basketball player, was surprisingly more helpful on defense than offense, scoring just six points, but with twenty rebounds and six blocked shots. Instead, the explosive offense for Kentucky came in the form of his teammates Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague and Doron Lamb, who combined for 47 points to keep the Wildcats ahead for most of the game.
While Davis may be a standout player, Kentucky’s win was viewed as a triumph for Calipari, who had lost the national championship to Kansas coach Bill Self in ’08. Some dismissed Kentucky as a serious contender because of their young team of mostly freshmen and sophomores. However, Calipari was adamant that they could succeed if they truly worked as a team, playing together and trusting one another. It was his leadership and belief in them that no doubt propelled them to the national stage this March and to the 2012 national title. After the game, Calipari, though no doubt thrilled about his first national title, was aware there was more to his job than just winning. He said: “Now I can get about my business of coaching basketball and getting these players to be the best that they can be, helping young people, you know, create better lives for themselves and their families, and also helping them prepare for life after basketball.”
Capitals
Usually at this point in the season, the Capitals would be ready for the regular season to end, and the postseason to begin. They have won their division the past four years. This year, however, is a little different. With just two games left, they are fighting for the final No. 8 seed in the playoffs.
A win last night would have given Washington (40-32-8) some breathing room, as they currently occupy the eighth spot just two points ahead of ninth-place Buffalo. Instead, they find themselves vulnerable as they prepare to face the Panthers and Rangers to finish the season.
The 2-4 loss was especially disheartening to the team, as a win would have not only pushed them further ahead of the Sabres, but placed them within one point of Southeast Division leading Florida. While Alexander Semin gave Caps fans hope by scoring first and putting them up 1-0, the Lightning scored two consecutive goals, which turned things to their favor. And although the Caps left wing, Jason Chimera, was able to tie it up early in the third period, Tampa Bay centre Steven Stamkos scored twice, sending the Caps home empty-handed.
The Caps now face the possibility of missing the playoffs altogether; the fact that the Sabres have three games left instead of two doesn’t help things. Washington also faces tough opponents in the Panthers and Rangers – both first place teams. The Rangers have already clinched a playoff spot, and are poised to clinch their division title. Still, anything can happen – at least, that’s what Caps fans are hoping.
