6B SPORTS
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2008
JAYHAWKS ENTER SWEET SIXTEEN KANSAS FACES OFF AGAINST VILLANOVA IN MOTOR CITY
KU
TIPOFF
KANSAS VS. VILLANOVA 8:40 p.m., Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, CBS
ATAGLANCE
Rush
Kansas (33-3,13-3)
Bill Self maintains that Kansas isn't lucky for getting to play the 12-seeded Wildcats instead of Clemson or Vanderbilt. He might be right. Villanova could prove to be a tough test because the Wildcats go through hot stretches where they are tough to beat. Kansas certainly won't overlook Villanova. The Jayhawks are focused. They're still smarting from last season's Elite Eight loss and want to make the Final Four. This team is experienced and ready to do something special.
might have
to take over.
Rush's size
might confuse Reynolds
and make
him less
of a factor.
Offensively,
expect
Odds are that Robinson and Chalmers will guard Scottie Reynolds in the beginning. If they can't stop him, Rush
Rush to come out firing. He did against Portland State last week, attempting several early shots. This the most motivated Rush has been during his KU career. He wants to make the Final Four, and he wants to move himself into the first round of the NBA Draft.
WHO TO WATCH
QUESTION MARK
Will this be another Kansas choke Job?
KU fans have been tormented for years with losses before the Final Four to teams that seemed overmatched. There was Arizona, UTEP and Virginia to name a few. Villanova fits the mold. The Wildcats, a 12 seed, can get hot and put up a fight against any team in the country. They're also a team that the Jayhawks could overlook because they are a Cinderella team this year. Don't expect it to happen though. Kansas is too experienced to look past an opponent at this point. If the Wildcats win, it will be because they play a better game.
HEARYE, HEARYE
"It's a different feel. I think guys just have a lot of confidence.Last year gave us a nice taste of what we want to do.Guys are still hungry and ready to eat a big plate this time around. It was a tough loss,but it wasn't bitter.It gave us a good taste of what could potentially happen.Now we're ready to go out and see exactly what can happen. It's gonna take us playing hard every game."
THE PROJECTED STARTING 5
Russell Robinson, 6-foot-1 senior guard
Russell Robinson on the experience from last year's loss to UCLA
Kansas got a major lift from Robinson against UNLV when he scored 13 points. He doesn't need to do that tonight. Robinson should expend all his energy on defense, where he has to find a way to stop Scottie Reynolds.
Villanova (22-12,9-9)
Mario Chalmers, 6-foot-1 junior guard
Chalmers is in a zone. Even when he fell to the ground after a hard foul in last Saturday's game, he made the basket. His outside shooting touch deserted him earlier that game, and he still found a way to score 17
Brandon Rush, 6-foot-6 junior guard
THE PROJECTED STARTING 5
Rush is being slightly more aggressive than usual, but his scoring numbers are really just going up because he's making shots. Against a guard-oriented lineup, Rush should be able to get shots near the basket, if he decides to leave the perimeter.
A freshman averaging 6.4 points per game, Stokes attended the same high school, St. Benedict's, as former Kansas forward Alex Galindo. He scored 20 points in the Wildcats second-round victory against Siena.
Scottie Reynolds, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard, Reynolds actually originally signed with Oklahoma, but Sooners coach Kelvin Sampson left the school, and Reynolds was released from his letter of intent.
Corey Stokes, 6-foot-5 freshman guard,
Darnell Jackson, 6-foot-8 senior forward
Give credit to Jackson for getting nine rebounds, but that's about all he did against UNLV's small lineup. KU's post players all got into foul trouble in a game where they could have dominated.
Arthur falls into the same category as Jackson. He wasn't bad against the Rebels, but he should have played better against a small lineup. Arthur will get the same opportunity tonight against the small Wildcats.
Darrell Arthur, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward
If Collins' bruised knee is OK, the Jayhawks are OK. No one can mix it up for Kansas like Collins. He played well in the second half last Saturday and has been practicing all week. He should be healthy.
Sherron Collins, 5-foot-11 sophomore guard
Antonio Pena, 6-foot-8 freshman forward,
THE SIXTH MAN
he was familiar with Pena, a Brooklyn, NY, native. Pena likes to play inside, but can step out on the perimeter as well.
Dante Cunningham, 6-foot-8 junior forward.
Russell Robinson said
One of the Wildcats most consistent players, Cunningham is second on the team in minutes played with 29.9 minutes per game. The Wildcat's leading rebounder is also second in scoring with 10.4 points per game.
Dwayne Anderson, 6-foot-6 junior forward.
A 50 percent shooter from the field, Anderson is an efficient offensive player who is relied on more for defense and rebounding.
THE SIXTH MAN
Ford Field Will Rock for KU If...
Corey Fisher, 6-foot-1 freshman guard. Another freshman, Fisher once scored 37 points in a victory against O.J. Mayo's high school team.
The Jayhawks start the game on fire. They did against Portland State in the opening round but let UNLV dictate the tempo in their second round matchup. Kansas is the superior team and needs to prove it from the beginning. The Jayhawks can do that if Darrell Arthur and Darnell Jackson establish themselves against Villanova's front court. If not, the Wildcats will hang around.
Russell Robinson
Rustin Dodd
Mark Dent
Phog Allen Will Roll Over In Over In His Grave If...
Scottie Reynolds drops 40. He's done it before. Last year against Connecticut, Reynolds put together the best scoring performance of any freshman in the country. He can shoot from the outside and drive. Kansas might have the advantage though. Robinson and Chalmers have defended D.J. Augustin twice this season, a player who is comparable to Reynolds. The Jayhawks are also used to guarding against Kansas State, another team that relies heavily on one player.
NOVA TIPOFF
ATAGLANCE
Most didn't expect Kansas to face Villanova in Detroit. Well, here they are. The 12th seeded Wildcats are 22-12, and finished tied for eighth in the Big East. But Villanova coach Jay Wright and his Wildcats are used to being here. Nova has made the NCAA Sweet Sixteen three out of the last four years. The Wildcats have had a nice run, but it'll be interesting to see if they have the juice to stay with the Hawks.
WHO TO WATCH
Remember Villanova's game against Connecticut in February 2007? Here's a refresher. Reynolds scored a career-high 40 points - as a freshman. College basketball fans know all about Reynolds.
Villanova's leading scorer at 16 points per game. Casual fans, get to know him. Kansas' guards Mario Chalmers and Sherron
Reynolds
Collins know all about Reynolds also. Chalmers and Collins tried out for the U.S. PanAm Games team with Reynolds last summer. Reynolds made the team, Chalmers and Collins were both cut. Who was the head coach of that team? Villanova's Jay Wright. Chalmers and Collins maintain they have no hard feelings towards Reynolds or Wright. But come on - You think they won't be a little extra motivated?
QUESTION MARK
Just how good is Villanova?
We know they beat Clemson in the first and then polished off Siena in the second, but it's tough to know what to make of a team that finished tied for eighth in the Big East and barely made the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats suffered through a five-game losing streak in January and February, capped with an ugly 22-point loss at Saint Joseph's. After the Clemson victory, Villanova's best victory could be its 78-56 home victory against West Virginia. But looking to the past right now might be foolish. Know this – any team with Scottie Reynolds is a dangerous team, and Wright has proven himself to be a rising star in the coaching profession. How good is Nova? That's why they play the games, right?
HEAR YE. HEAR YE
"I've said this before. I think the thing that stands out first and foremost is how hard they play and how hard they compete. They take great pride in getting 78 or $80%$ of the 50/50 balls. They steal extra possessions for their team. I think they're not good defensively, I think they're great defensively and they're getting better."
Bill Self on Villanova, Kansas'Sweet 16 opponent
JAYHAWK STATS
<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Mins</th><th>FG-FGA</th><th>3FG-3FGA</th><th>Rebs</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>00 Arthur, Darrell</td><td>24.1</td><td>196-363</td><td>2-12</td><td>6.2</td><td>13.1</td></tr><tr><td>25 Rush, Brandon</td><td>29.1</td><td>154-362</td><td>75-171</td><td>5.0</td><td>13.0</td></tr><tr><td>15 Chalmers, Mario</td><td>29.7</td><td>146-278</td><td>65-138</td><td>3.1</td><td>12.6</td></tr><tr><td>32 Jackson, Darnell</td><td>24.4</td><td>157-252</td><td>2-6</td><td>6.7</td><td>11.5</td></tr><tr><td>04 Collins, Sherron</td><td>23.2</td><td>105-219</td><td>35-95</td><td>2.0</td><td>9.5</td></tr><tr><td>03 Robinson, Russell</td><td>27.6</td><td>77-182</td><td>31-99</td><td>2.8</td><td>7.4</td></tr><tr><td>24 Kaun, Sasha</td><td>17.4</td><td>96-157</td><td>0-0</td><td>3.9</td><td>7.1</td></tr><tr><td>45 Aldrich, Cole</td><td>8.4</td><td>41-79</td><td>0-0</td><td>3.1</td><td>2.9</td></tr><tr><td>05 Stewart, Rodrick</td><td>11.9</td><td>35-71</td><td>5-16</td><td>2.3</td><td>2.9</td></tr><tr><td>02 Teahan, Conner</td><td>3.4</td><td>16-27</td><td>12-20</td><td>0.5</td><td>2.4</td></tr><tr><td>14 Reed, Tyrel</td><td>6.9</td><td>18-35</td><td>11-24</td><td>0.5</td><td>2.2</td></tr><tr><td>10 Case, Jeremy</td><td>5.0</td><td>16-44</td><td>10-28</td><td>0.3</td><td>1.6</td></tr><tr><td>11 Bechard, Brennan</td><td>1.8</td><td>5-9</td><td>2-5</td><td>0.3</td><td>1.2</td></tr><tr><td>54 Kleinmann, Matt</td><td>2.4</td><td>3-7</td><td>0-0</td><td>0.7</td><td>0.4</td></tr><tr><td>40 Witherspoon, Brad</td><td>2.0</td><td>0-4</td><td>0-3</td><td>0.3</td><td>0.2</td></tr><tr><td>22 Buford, Chase</td><td>1.6</td><td>1-9</td><td>0-6</td><td>0.4</td><td>0.2</td></tr></tbody></table>
PREDICTION
84-72 Kansas
The Wildcats like to run, and the Jayhawks won't mind joining them. This is going to be a fast-paced, fun game. Give Kansas the edge for having more scoring options and more talent.
Teahan Three Point-o-Meter Will freshman walk-on Connor Teahan get the opportunity to play tonight? This meter tells all.
VILLANOVASTATS
<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Mins</th><th>FG-FGA</th><th>3FG-3FGA</th><th>Rebs</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>01 Reynolds, Scottie</td><td>32.4</td><td>160-385</td><td>77-202</td><td>3.1</td><td>16.0</td></tr><tr><td>33 Cunningham, Dante</td><td>29.9</td><td>139-253</td><td>0-0</td><td>6.4</td><td>10.4</td></tr><tr><td>11 Fisher, Corey</td><td>21.9</td><td>102-286</td><td>41-120</td><td>1.8</td><td>9.2</td></tr><tr><td>00 Pena, Antonio</td><td>19.6</td><td>86-179</td><td>2-6</td><td>4.3</td><td>7.0</td></tr><tr><td>20 Clark, Shane</td><td>22.2</td><td>74-170</td><td>16-55</td><td>2.5</td><td>7.0</td></tr><tr><td>24 Stokes, Corey</td><td>18.2</td><td>72-197</td><td>39-131</td><td>4.8</td><td>6.4</td></tr><tr><td>22 Anderson, Dwayne</td><td>20.7</td><td>69-136</td><td>21-63</td><td>0.8</td><td>6.4</td></tr><tr><td>03 Grant, Malcolm</td><td>12.7</td><td>46-118</td><td>34-73</td><td>4.5</td><td>5.6</td></tr><tr><td>05 Drummond, Casiem</td><td>13.2</td><td>43-82</td><td>0-0</td><td>2.6</td><td>4.9</td></tr><tr><td>15 Redding, Reggie</td><td>20.7</td><td>54-138</td><td>9-35</td><td>1.3</td><td>4.6</td></tr><tr><td>42 Tchuisi, Frank</td><td>1.6</td><td>1-6</td><td>0-0</td><td>0.8</td><td>0.4</td></tr><tr><td>04 Colenda, Jason</td><td>1.4</td><td>0.0</td><td>0-0</td><td>0.2</td><td>0.0</td></tr></tbody></table>
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