THE UNIVERSITY DIARY KANSAS
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
KANSAS 84, NORTH CAROLINA 66
7B
Jon Gorring/KANSAN
Sophomore forward Darrell Arthur shows his appreciation to the Kansas fans after the Javhawks defeated the Tar Heels. Arthur and the Javhawks face off against Memphis Monday night.
North Carolina coach Roy Williams yells to contest a foul call made by an official. Williams left Kansas to coach at North Carolina in 2003.
the HIGH low
A special Final Four edition of the High/Low from San Antonio
HIGHS
JAYHAWK NATION
Kansas fans may have been quiet and reserved on the San Antonio River Walk – unlike UCLA's boastful bunch – but inside the Alamodome, Kansas fans were the loudest of the lot. A large contingent of students made for a loud section in the nosebleed seats, and Kansas' lopsided victory allowed for the Rock Chalk chant
to reverberate through the massive dome in the final minutes.
RODRICK
STEWART
It'll be a moment Stewart will never forget. Sidelined with a broken kneecap, Stewart sat behind the Kansas bench with his leg elevated. In the closing moments, the Kansas section started chanting his name and
Stewart broke down and started to tear up.
"I just wanted to be out there for a second," Stewart said.
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT
It's quickly becoming the anthem to Kansas' Final Four run. North Carolina had crept back in to the game after trailing 40-12, and Kansas was on its heels. Then the under 8:00 media time-out came, and the Kansas band belted out Twisted Sister's classic rocker,
"We're Not Gonna Take It." And just like they did against Davidson, Kansas found a way to close out the game.
LOWS
DERRICK ROSE
Any Kansas fan who saw Memphis' freshman guard, Rose, play against UCLA can't be too exited about playing the Tigers. Rose scored 25 points, snatched nine rebounds and racked up four assists.
FOULTROUBLE
Kansas found a way to advance, but Bill Self must be hoping that Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson combine for more than 27 minutes of court time against Memphis. Foul trouble, a season long nemesis, reared its ugly head against North Carolina.
TY LAWSON
Lawson, North Carolina's starting sophomore point guard, hardly looked like the fastest guard on the floor against Kansas. Lawson was 2-of-8 from the field, and looked bewildered next to Kansas' guards.
—Rustin Dodd
Junior guard Brandon Rush drives down the lane past North Carolina guard Marcus Ginyard during the first half of the game against North Carolina. Rush was the high scorer of the game with 25 points. He also had two assists, one block and seven rebounds.
Mindv Ricketts/KANSAN
notebook
DON'T CARE ABOUT ROY
The fans might have thought there was more at stake against North Carolina, but the team didn't. Bill Self never once brought up the fact that Kansas was playing against its former coach.
"There is no jealousy, no animosity between coach Williams and myself." Self said, "at least on this end. And I have never this entire week said, 'Look, we need to do better because this would better for me with our fan base' or anything like that. It wouldn't have made any difference who was on the other bench."
HANSBROUGH TO THE NBA?
Well, he sure didn't look a pro Saturday night, but there's a chance that Tyler Hansbrough, a junior, could make the jump. Williams said they'd discuss the situation soon.
"You know," Williams said, "I have no idea. Tyler and I talked before the season, said we'd discuss it when the season is over with. We'll probably sit down Tuesday or Wednesday and try to start making some decisions."
EXTRA SPECIAL FOR TEAHAN
Conner Teahan, a Rockhurst High School graduate, played Hansbrough when they were in high school. During Teahan's sophomore year, his team faced Poplar Bluff, Hansbrough's team in the Missouri 5A state semifinal. Teahan said Hansbrough, a senior, scored 36 points, and that he scored 19. Rockhurst lost by six. Poplar Bluff won on to win the state title.
"The whole team was pretty much him and his brother,"Teahan said.
Mark Dent
Mindy Ricketts/KANSAN
Freshman center Cole Aldrich jumps up to block a shot from North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough. Aldrich had four blocks, one steal and eight total points in 17 minutes of play during the game Saturday night.
Jon Goering/KANSAN
Rock Chalk Dancers celebrate after Kansas defeats North Carolina in the first round of the Final Four. Kansas improved to 36-3 on the season with the victory. The Jayhawks will have the chance Monday night to win the first national championship for Kansas since 1988.