Kansas: Big Boys of the South
By Ben Makin
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| Photo Cred www.4.bp.blogspot.com |
Smile, it’s March. Spring is now upon us; the weather is turning to sunshine (unless you live in Western PA) the birds are chirping, and oh yes---MARCH MADNESS IS ABOUT TO COME INTO FULL SWING. I’m ecstatic; the thought of irking all academic responsibility to be able to sit in my robe and watch four screens of the best, most intense college basketball of the year just gets me pumped. In a series of articles, all four contributors to Sports Eye View are writing an opening piece on the #1 seeds. The pressure, prestige, and notoriety these teams come into the tournament with is intriguing. Being a number one seed has its advantages- you get what should be the easiest road to the later rounds. It also has its disadvantages- every team wants to be the one to knock you off as a 1 seed and get their name on Sports Center. I have the privilege of introducing the #1 seed from the South: The Kansas Jayhawks. Round 2- 64 Teams: Kansas Jayhawks vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
Smile, it’s March. Spring is now upon us; the weather is turning to sunshine (unless you live in Western PA) the birds are chirping, and oh yes---MARCH MADNESS IS ABOUT TO COME INTO FULL SWING. I’m ecstatic; the thought of irking all academic responsibility to be able to sit in my robe and watch four screens of the best, most intense college basketball of the year just gets me pumped. In a series of articles, all four contributors to Sports Eye View are writing an opening piece on the #1 seeds. The pressure, prestige, and notoriety these teams come into the tournament with is intriguing. Being a number one seed has its advantages- you get what should be the easiest road to the later rounds. It also has its disadvantages- every team wants to be the one to knock you off as a 1 seed and get their name on Sports Center. I have the privilege of introducing the #1 seed from the South: The Kansas Jayhawks. Round 2- 64 Teams: Kansas Jayhawks vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
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| Photo Cred www.worldwideonline.com |
I’ll keep this short- no 16 seed has EVER beaten a 1 seed. It’s not going to happen Friday at 9:50 either. Western Kentucky is a good team; don't get me wrong. They’ve made the big dance three of the last five years, and have at least one win in each of those appearances. This also isn’t the first time these two teams have played in the Tourney- 1995 Kansas beat Western Kentucky 75-70. I think history has a way of repeating itself. Led by the sophomore duo of T.J. Price and George Fant, WKU has had an average season (20-15, 10-10 in conference). The glaring statistic is their record against tournament teams this year- 0-4, all of them being blowouts. They had a great conference tournament run, but to beat Kansas you have to scale a mountain. I don't see the Hilltoppers being able to topple the Jayhawks- Final Score: Kansas 82 WKU 60.
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| Photo Cred www.sbnation.com |
Round 3- 32 Teams: Kansas Jayhawks vs. UNC Tarheels/ Villanova WildcatsIn my bracket I have UNC winning a close one against the Wildcats in what I project to be the best game of the first round. Both teams have a great history and respectable seasons- each ending with quality wins and a good amount of momentum. I think North Carolina has too much athleticism and their ability to shoot the 3 ball is too much for ‘Nova to stop (UNC wins 63-59).
Kansas is a team that matches up well against either of these teams. Both UNC and Villanova play smaller line-ups that are quick in transition, but the Big 12 is known for their speed- Kansas will not be caught off guard. The dynamic freshman Ben McLemore (top 5 draft pick this June and potential March Star) will cause problems, as UNC and the Wildcats have not been able to defend quick, powerful guards as well as they’d hope. North Carolina will especially have trouble with senior Jeff Withey (Wooden Award Finalist). The lineup the Tarheels play will give Withey the opening to dominate down low and abuse the pint-sized guys from Chapel Hill. A terrific offensive rebounder, Withey should clean up on the boards (something UNC has had trouble with) Kansas wins a closer game than the previous round, but nonetheless, put it away. Final Score: Kansas 77 UNC 68.
Kansas is a team that matches up well against either of these teams. Both UNC and Villanova play smaller line-ups that are quick in transition, but the Big 12 is known for their speed- Kansas will not be caught off guard. The dynamic freshman Ben McLemore (top 5 draft pick this June and potential March Star) will cause problems, as UNC and the Wildcats have not been able to defend quick, powerful guards as well as they’d hope. North Carolina will especially have trouble with senior Jeff Withey (Wooden Award Finalist). The lineup the Tarheels play will give Withey the opening to dominate down low and abuse the pint-sized guys from Chapel Hill. A terrific offensive rebounder, Withey should clean up on the boards (something UNC has had trouble with) Kansas wins a closer game than the previous round, but nonetheless, put it away. Final Score: Kansas 77 UNC 68.
Round 4- Sweet 16: Kansas Jayhawks vs. VCU Rams/ Michigan WolverinesThings are set up for a VCU-Michigan matchup in the round of 32- should be an AWESOME game. Shaka Smart is the best young coach in the game, but I don't think he can plan for Trey Burke and Company. Aided by solid guard play, the Rams have not come up against a guard combo like Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. Their ability to break defenses is uncanny. Where VCU may have a chance is in their ability to score. VCU can put up points (4 starters in double digits and 11th in the nation in scoring) but Michigan is just a better team, who is no stranger to scoring (4 players in double digits, 27th in scoring). The Wolverines pull this game out with an 80-72 win.
This will be Kansas’ toughest matchup so far. The Wolverines provide a tricky matchup for the Jayhawks. Michigan has better guards (the best in the nation). Kansas has also not played against many good guard tandems this year, so it is up to two seniors, Travis Releford and Elijah Johnson to slow down the backcourt of the Wolverines. Both are solid defenders for the Jayhawks, and have better experience in the tournament than Burke and Hardaway. While Kansas does have a better post game than UM, Mitch McGary is coming into his own down low. While he is a bit raw offensively, I don't see him giving Withey anything easy. The factor in this game is free throws. Both teams shoot about 70% on the season, but Kansas’ starting 5 have an overall better number. In a close one I see Kansas just barely pulling this out in extra time. Final OT: Kansas 82 Michigan 80
This will be Kansas’ toughest matchup so far. The Wolverines provide a tricky matchup for the Jayhawks. Michigan has better guards (the best in the nation). Kansas has also not played against many good guard tandems this year, so it is up to two seniors, Travis Releford and Elijah Johnson to slow down the backcourt of the Wolverines. Both are solid defenders for the Jayhawks, and have better experience in the tournament than Burke and Hardaway. While Kansas does have a better post game than UM, Mitch McGary is coming into his own down low. While he is a bit raw offensively, I don't see him giving Withey anything easy. The factor in this game is free throws. Both teams shoot about 70% on the season, but Kansas’ starting 5 have an overall better number. In a close one I see Kansas just barely pulling this out in extra time. Final OT: Kansas 82 Michigan 80
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| Photo Cred www.mwcradio.com |
Personally I think the Gators are overrated. They have a good team, won a bunch of games in the worst of the big conferences, and lost to some BAD teams. The Hoyas on the other hand are tough. Led by Otto Porter Jr., (definite lottery pick, and after this tournament don't be surprised to see him off the board within the first three picks.) Georgetown is a complete team with good experience. They’ve played 14 games against tournament teams and won 9 of them. They have hit their stride and will ROLL through the Gators who won’t be able to matchup anywhere on the court. Hoyas win 73-59.
Spoiler Alert- This is where Kansas stumbles. The matchup between Porter Jr. and McLemore is going to be fantastic. Both have star potential and this will be a battle that continues into the NBA. Both are excellent scorers, and at this point in the tournament, both will be in a “The team is on my back” mode. Kansas looks to score, and Georgetown looks to defend. It’ll be a battle of tempo, and who ever controls it will win. The only way Georgetown loses is if they can’t find a second scorer. McLemore and Withey will get their points, and if Kansas can shut down 4 of the 5 Hoyas, they will advance to the Final 4. I see Georgetown pulling this out on a tired Kansas team who had a little bit of a tougher road. Final Score: Kansas 61 Georgetown 65.
I think that Kansas has the ability to win the whole tournament. They have a good base of seniors that can lead this Jayhawks team to glory, but they have the toughest road of any 1 seed, and in the end it is just too much for them. Look for some exciting play by this Kansas team and some excellent matchups. Comment and let me know what you think of Kansas’ chances- do they have what it takes to be “Untouchable?”
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