2008 CHN All-Final Four & MOP

After a National Championship game for the ages, and a Final Four utterly dominated by Kansas & Memphis, it is no shock that CHN’s All-Final Four team is all Jayhawks and Tigers.

MOP: Mario Chalmers, Kansas

Final Four Averages: 14.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.0apg, 3.5spg

Chalmers truly was Super Mario in the championship game versus Memphis.  By now the whole world has heard and seen his last second three-pointer to tie the game in regulation, but he excelled in other aspects of the game also.  Always a tough defender, he was a thorn in Memphis’ side as they tried to run their offense and picked off four balls.  Plus Memphis’ ultimate Achilles Heal was Chalmers strong suit this game – he was 6-6 from the charity stripe.

MOP Runner Up: Darrell Arthur, Kansas

Final Four Averages: 13.0ppg, 9.5rpg, 2.0bpg

Arthur quietly had an excellent championship game also.  He was his usual exceptional self down low, providing scoring and rebounding (including five on the offensive end), and also knocked down some face up jumpers.  Plus he didn’t miss a free throw (2-2).

All Final Four Team:

Guard: Mario Chalmers, Kansas

Guard: Brandon Rush, Kansas

Final Four Averages: 18.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 16/26 FG

Rush scorched UNC to get the Jayhawks into the final.  Against Memphis he had a very solid 12 points and six boards.  NBA, here he comes (finally). 

Guard: Derrick Rose, Memphis

Final Four Averages: 21.5ppg, 7.5rpg, 6.0apg

Rose’s explosive NCAA tournament performance has shown why he, and not Michael Beasley, is the top prospect of this year’s NBA draft.

Guard: Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis

Final Four Averages: 25.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 15/20 FT

His inability to hit clutch free throws kept Memphis from winning its first men’s hoops national championship and also kept Douglas-Roberts from being CHN’s Final Four MOP.  Pretty sure the first one hurts more than the second.

Forward: Darrell Arthur, Kansas