THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012
PAGE 9B
KANSAS TIPOFF
AT A GLANCE
The Jayhawks (32-6) are making their third national championship appearance in 10 years and ninth overall. Kansas has trailed at halftime in three of its five tournament games, but has outscored opponents by a combined 42 points in the second half. Whether it's an Elijah Johnson three-pointer, a Travis Releford steal, a jeff Withey block or free throws from Tyshawn Taylor, the Jayhawks have shown an uncanny knack for making tough plays in crunch time.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Thomas Robinson, Junior guard
Kansas'
improbable
run to the title
game would
not be possible
without its unanimous
first-team all-
American. Robinson has averaged 17 points and 12 boards in the tournament. In Monday's title game, however, he faces the most dominant front court in the country. Kentucky's 6-foot-10 Anthony Davis, 6-foot-9 Terrence Jones and 6-foot-8 Darius Miller will force Robinson to earn every point.
Robinson
Will the Kansas learn from its early-season loss to Kentucky?
HEAR YE, HEAR YE
QUESTION MARK
Kentucky defeated Kansas, 75-65, on Nov. 15 in New York City. The Wildcats' 26-9 second half run exposed the Jayhawks' matchup problems. Davis shut down Robinson with his length and Kentucky's guards created turnovers that led to several uncontested dunks. After the Ohio State game, Self said his team had to take away Kentucky's transition offense, second shots and lobs, all of which were on display in the first meeting.
"Anthony Davis is the best shot-blocker in the country, but I think Jeff is probably second best."
—Kansas coach Bill Self
BIG JAY WILL CHEER IF...
The Jayhawks continue to show the heart of a champion and outtough the Wildcats en route to a nail-biting national title.
Taylor
Releford
Johnson
KANSAS (32-6,16-2) STARTERS
Robinson
Withey
TYSHAWN TAYLOR, GUARD
The senior guard's gutsy second-half performances in the last two games encapsulate the very nature of this Jayhawk team. Taylor had six assists in the final 20 minutes against Ohio State and hit two free throws to clinch the win. Though his offensive numbers in the tournament haven't been great (0-20 from 3-point range, 37 percent shooting). Taylor remains the orchestrator of Kansas' run to the championship.
ELIJAH JOHNSON. FORWARD
Johnson's rapid improvement continued Saturday. He played just 11 second-half minutes because of foul trouble, but had a huge role in the Jayhawks' comeback. His coast-tocoast drive and acrobatic layup with 1:08 left, giving Kansas a 62-59 lead, was arguably the best play of the game. Johnson also snagged a game-high 10 rebounds and hit six of nine shots. His speed and length should help Kansas contain Kentucky's tall, athletic guards.
TRAVIS RELEFORD, GUARD
Without Releford, Kansas would not have defeated Ohio State. The Kansas City, Mo. native had 15 points, eight boards and two steals. His layup at the end of the first half was a subtle, yet crucial, momentum changer, and his four free throws late in the game gave Kansas its first lead since 2-0. Releford's reward for a stellar semifinal performance? Defending 6-foot-7 Kentucky guard Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
THOMAS ROBINSON, FORWARD
Robinson solidified his place above Jared Sullinger in the NBA Draft, scoring 19 points and getting Ohio State's forwards in foul trouble. Robinson's energy and passion—more noticeable on Saturday night—have fueled Kansas all season long. For Kansas to upset Kentucky and win their fourth NCAA championship, Robinson must continue to play with fire in his eyes. If anyone's up to the challenge, it's Kansas' hulking All-American.
Withey scored just 4 points Saturday, but his defense yet again influenced the game significantly. His seven blocks disrupted an Ohio State offense that shot just 24 percent in the second half. Withey also held Sullinger to 5-of-19 shooting, which should give him confidence going into Monday's matchup with AP National Player of the Year Anthony Davis. Withey has a height advantage, but Davis holds the edge in every other category.
JEFF WITHEY. CENTER
Ultimate showdown Blue bloods square-off for title belt
KANSAS VS. KENTUCKY 8:23 P.M., MERCEDES-BENZ SUPERDOME, NEW ORLEANS
KENTUCKY (37-2,16-0) STARTERS
MARQUIS TEAGUE, GUARD
SAM KOVZAN
editor@kansan.com
Prior to March, Kentucky's most visible weakness was Teague's point-guard play. Since then, he has scored double figures six times and facilitated a hot Kentucky offense (84 points per game in the tournament). In the first meeting against Kansas, Teague committed six first-half turnovers, four fouls and let Tyshawn Taylor score 23 points. A repeat performance could derail Kentucky's dominant season.
Teague
DORON LAMB, GUARD
The 6-foot-4 sophomore is Kentucky's second leading scorer (13.5 points per game) and a lethal three-point shooter (46.5 percent). Lamb is playing in his second straight Final Four and boasts plenty of big-game experience. He is shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc in the tournament, but can also slash to the basket and draw fouls. Physically, he is very similar to Kansas' Elijah Johnson, which should make for an intriguing matchup.
MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST,
GUARD/FORWARD
Kidd-Gilchrist is a match up nightmare for just about every team Kentucky faces. At 6-foot-7 and 232 pounds, the freshman can drag larger defenders out to the perimeter or use his strength around the rim to overpower smaller defenders. He shoots nearly 50 percent from the field and grabs 8 rebounds per game. His long strides, athleticism and finishing ability make him one of the best transition players in college basketball.
TERRENCE JONES. FORWARD
Kidd-Gilchrist
After shining brightly in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, Jones could have been a first round pick in last year's draft. The 6-foot-9, 252-pound sophomore adds muscle and power Kentucky's frontcourt. Combined with Anthony Davis's length and athleticism, it makes the Wildcats interior defense suffocating. Jones' battle for rebounds with Thomas Robinson could resemble a heavyweight boxing match.
ANTHONY DAVIS, FORWARD
Barring injury, Davis will be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. If he isn't altering shots with his 7-foot-5 wingspan, he's flushing alley-oops and drawing double-teams. In the first game against Kansas at Madison Square Garden, Davis scored 14 points (with four dunks) and blocked seven shots. But if anyone matches up well with the player of the year, it's Jeff Withey. Expect Davis to be challenged by Kansas' big men.
Jones
Lamb
Davis
Kentucky (37-2) may be one of the best all-time college basketball teams. Forward Anthony Davis and wing Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could be the first two picks in this summer's NBA Draft, while forward Terrence Jones and guards Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague can all leave early. The Wildcats lead the nation in scoring margin at 17 points plus per game. Head coach John Calipari, who guided Memphis to the 2008 title game, gets a shot at revenge against Bill Self.
KENTUCKY
TIPOFF
UK
PLAYER TO WATCH
AT A GLANCE
Anthony Davis, freshman forward
Davis
Davis is just the second freshman in the history of college basketball to win the National Player of the Year award. He shoots 64 percent from the field, averages 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4.6 blocks (first in the nation). His defensive dominance is unlike anything seen in college basketball during the last decade. His ability to alter shots without fouling makes it extremely tough for opponents to score inside.
Will the Wildcats feel the pressure?
Kentucky has been the consensus pick to win it all since December. Despite starting three freshmen and two sophomores, the Wildcats have looked like a veteran team in their stroll to the championship. But will those great expectations finally phase the underclassmen? Quite frankly, it's win or bust for Calipari's team. Ask any Kentucky fan, and those 37 wins and dozens of blowouts will mean nothing if it fails to knock off Kansas.
HEAR YE. HEAR YE.
"We deal with pressure every day. It's just part of being at Kentucky. The things that people say about us . . . we try not to hear it. We just focus on treating every game the same."
QUESTION MARK
Sophomore forward Terrance Jones, via ESPN.com
BABY JAY WILL WEEP IF...
Prediction Kansas 69, Kentucky 68
John Calipari wins his first championship because the Jayhawks cannot keep up with the Wildcats' superior talent and athleticism.