The box score came off the copy machine, and it said that Memphis shot 32 free throws last night, while Houston only shot 2. Immediately, the whining began, which was about as predictable as the outcome of this game. Look, any time there’s that kind of free-throw disparity, the loser is going to complain. But there are two things you have to consider:

1) The idea that free throws are supposed to be even in a basketball game is completely insane. I saw several missed calls on Memphis last night. I saw several missed calls on Houston, including some traveling calls and push-offs that were overlooked by the crew. At the end of the day, the referees didn’t call much in the paint unless people were grabbing with two hands. Memphis was more aggressive and should have shot more free throws. Houston probably should have shot 10 or 11 free throws, but that’s part of being on the road.

2) You could have given Houston any number of free throws last night, and the Cougars still wouldn’t have beaten Memphis. Houston doesn’t beat Memphis. Houston is a very nice club; probably better than several teams that will make the NCAA Tournament. I like the way they play, and I like their guards, and I like the way they get up and down the court. But the Tigers get up for Houston because they respect Houston. And Memphis simply has better people in the post, which translates to second-chance points and defensive rebounds to spark fast-break opportunities. So when you have those two things, Houston is simply out-classed, and I’m not sure what confluence of events at this point would cause the Tigers to lose a potential third meeting in the C-USA championship game.