(Cross-posted at MyDD.)
Just in over the wire...
Calipari suggests new rule be applied retroactively, giving Memphis win
(Sportswire, San Antonio) John Calipari, head coach of the Memphis men's basketball team which lost the NCCA title game last night to Kansas, has called for a change in rules on three point shots to allow one foot of a shooter to be on or inside the three-point line at the time of the shot.
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Calipari suggested the rule change be applied retroactively, giving Memphis a one-point regulation win based on the fact that referees took a point away from Memphis in the waning moments of the game after reversing what had been ruled a three-point basket.
"It only makes sense that the rules, as they have been written for years, are not appropriate and should be changed retroactively," Calipari said at his post-game press conference. "We were the favorites and we should have won this game. It's only the referees and this stupid rule that took the game away from us."
Memphis fans remained in the stands after the final horn signaled Kansas' improbable win, chanting, "Change the rules! Change the rules!"
Nevertheless, NCAA officials noted that the rule has been in place since the onset of the three-point shot in 1986.
One NCAA source suggested that the complaint by Calipari and Memphis fans amounted to "nothing but sour grapes."
"Everyone plays by the same rules," the source said. "Calipari and Memphis knew the rules just like Kansas did."
Calipari said he will continue to protest the rule and may even take the NCAA to court to change the rule retroactively and award his team the victory.
"This just isn't fair," he said, wiping away tears. "We were supposed to win this thing. It was ours. We deserved it. It was our turn."
Calipari then left the podium. slammed his clipboard to the ground, stomped his feet and screamed, "We were supposed to win! It was a done deal! It was inevitable!" as he headed off down the hall.