Bibby-4-Three
G-League
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/memories/final4/articles/final97.htm
It's super long, so I'll let you link and read it yourselves.
My favorite parts:
In one of the most dizzying, fiercely contested NCAA men's basketball tournament finals ever, Arizona completed a surprising run to its first national title tonight, beating defending champion Kentucky, 84-79, in overtime at RCA Dome.
...
Kentucky based its hopes on its pressing defense, but in Arizona, it was up against an opponent that was able to match its quickness. Often, Arizona's possessions ended with Simon rushing past two or three defenders and then floating through the lane for a feathery jump shot.
"Miles's understanding of the game is beyond anything you can teach," said Arizona Coach Lute Olson, who claimed his first national championship in his fourth trip to the Final Four.
But all of Arizona's players were equally heady. Even when Arizona was slowed to a half-court setup, many times Kentucky was left out of position because of Arizona's scrambling, with players such as 6-foot-9 forward Scott Padgett guarding Simon or 6-1 guard Mike Bibby (at left in photo) somewhere near the top of the key.
Those were matchups that Kentucky rarely won, with Simon or Bibby usually blowing past the bigger players for scores or getting fouled on their way to the basket. Kentucky saw four of its players foul out while chasing the Arizona players, including first-team all-American and NBA-bound sophomore Ron Mercer, who finished with just 13 points. Arizona shot 41 free throws in the game to just 17 for Kentucky, with Simon making 14 of 17 from the line.
Despite Simon's point total, the best player on the court might have been Bibby, an 18-year-old freshman who was supposed to wilt in the crucible that was the biggest game of his life. Instead, Bibby harkened memories of his father Henry, a former point guard who directed UCLA to three national championships. Mike Bibby finished the game with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
...
It's super long, so I'll let you link and read it yourselves.
My favorite parts:
In one of the most dizzying, fiercely contested NCAA men's basketball tournament finals ever, Arizona completed a surprising run to its first national title tonight, beating defending champion Kentucky, 84-79, in overtime at RCA Dome.
...
Kentucky based its hopes on its pressing defense, but in Arizona, it was up against an opponent that was able to match its quickness. Often, Arizona's possessions ended with Simon rushing past two or three defenders and then floating through the lane for a feathery jump shot.
"Miles's understanding of the game is beyond anything you can teach," said Arizona Coach Lute Olson, who claimed his first national championship in his fourth trip to the Final Four.
But all of Arizona's players were equally heady. Even when Arizona was slowed to a half-court setup, many times Kentucky was left out of position because of Arizona's scrambling, with players such as 6-foot-9 forward Scott Padgett guarding Simon or 6-1 guard Mike Bibby (at left in photo) somewhere near the top of the key.
Those were matchups that Kentucky rarely won, with Simon or Bibby usually blowing past the bigger players for scores or getting fouled on their way to the basket. Kentucky saw four of its players foul out while chasing the Arizona players, including first-team all-American and NBA-bound sophomore Ron Mercer, who finished with just 13 points. Arizona shot 41 free throws in the game to just 17 for Kentucky, with Simon making 14 of 17 from the line.
Despite Simon's point total, the best player on the court might have been Bibby, an 18-year-old freshman who was supposed to wilt in the crucible that was the biggest game of his life. Instead, Bibby harkened memories of his father Henry, a former point guard who directed UCLA to three national championships. Mike Bibby finished the game with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
...
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