Thoughts on the Championship Game

So a week later, I have had some time to diagnose and think about the Kentucky-Kansas final and have a few thoughts on it.

Real time, I was disappointed with the final. For much of the game, it was really a lopsided affair. Kentucky just dominated the game, going up by double digits early and really just cruising to a national championship.

Kansas made it mildly interesting down the stretch, cutting the lead to five, but it was far too late and Kentucky turned on the offense one last time to officially bury the Jayhawks and win the title.

When I think of a championship game, I think of a great battle between the two best teams in the country. I think of a nailbiting finish, with a memorable last minute that fans can recall fondly and watch on the highlight reel for years to come. And honestly, it just didn't feel like we got that this year.

Now, looking back on it though, I've come to appreciate the game, not for score or the game itself, but for Kentucky. This team ran through the tournament unlike any team we have seen in years. They dominated every opponent they saw, no matter how weak or elite they were. There were no cheap wins or close escapes. This was sheer and utter domination, with freshmen no less.

The question now gets raised: Was this the best team ever? The question certainly has a right to be asked. Kentucky only lost twice all season: once on the road at the buzzer at Indiana and once in the SEC Championship game to a desperate Vanderbilt team, in a game where the Wildcats, honestly, seemed disinterested.

Of course now it is hard to answer that question. It just happened and we need to see how this team can hold up in the test of time. Five or 10 years from now though, I think you can revisit this team and truly see how great they were.

So in the end, the championship game was lackluster, although it was miles better than last year's disaster. However, the game will be memorable for one reason: it featured what may have been the greatest college basketball team of all time. Only time will tell.