Back to web version
Kansas-Villanova matchup capsule
•TV/RADIO: Chs. 5, 13; KCSP (610 AM)
•ABOUT VILLANOVA (22-12): Who would have thought in early February that the Villanova Wildcats would even make the NCAA Tournament? They had lost five straight games, including a loss at Rutgers and home losses to Notre Dame and Syracuse, and this suddenly looked to be a rebuilding year for Jay Wright’s team. Instead of folding, Villanova won seven of its last 11 and miraculously appeared in the brackets as a 12th seed. The Wildcats have been playing with house money ever since. They knocked off No. 5 seed Clemson and No. 13 seed Siena and now are looking to pull off the upset of the tournament against a veteran Kansas team.
•ABOUT KANSAS (33-3): Who would have thought in late February that the Kansas Jayhawks would be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament? KU had lost two of three heading into a tough road environment at Iowa State. The Jayhawks came out of Ames with an easy win and haven’t looked back, winning nine in a row heading into tonight’s Sweet 16 game against Villanova. Kansas’ top seven players have all been here before and have all tasted bitter defeat on the tournament’s second weekend. That experience, combined with immense talent, makes the Jayhawks the favorite to get out of Detroit alive.
Edge >> Villanova
This is an awkward comparison, since the Wildcats and Jayhawks ask very different things of their point guards. Villanova asks Reynolds to do everything, but mostly to score — and he’s done that well in the tournament, averaging 23 points in two games. Robinson is asked to do the little things and make winning plays for the Jayhawks. He’ll have his hands full defensively with Reynolds.
Guard Villanova’s Corey Stokes vs. Kansas’ Mario Chalmers
Edge >> Kansas
Stokes is starting only his fourth game; it has taken him all season to earn the trust of coach Jay Wright. Stokes has come on late in the year, averaging 12.6 points per game in his last 11 games. Chalmers is one of the most complete guards around, and he’s been increasing his offensive production at the end of the season. It all started with his 30-point outburst in the Big 12 tournament title game against Texas.
Forward/guard Villanova’s Dwayne Anderson vs. Kansas’ Brandon Rush
Edge >> Kansas
Anderson, like Stokes, has been key to igniting Villanova’s NCAA run. He has started only the last 13 games and has averaged 9.9 points and 7.3 rebounds. But he’s still growing as a player. Rush enters this Midwest Regional playing the best basketball of his career, averaging 19.3 points per game in his last four. It’s looking more and more as if this will be Rush’s last tournament at Kansas, and he’s not going to have any regrets.
Forward Villanova’s Antonio Pena vs. Kansas’ Darnell Jackson
Edge >> Kansas
Pena has made 18 starts and has averaged 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in those games. Despite his 6-foot-8 frame, he has the ability to shoot from the outside. Pena will be asked to play more minutes after the Wildcats lost forward Casiem Drummond for the tournament. Jackson’s production has been decreasing as KU has gotten healthier this season, and the good thing about him is that he doesn’t care. He’s a senior who wants a trip to the Final Four, and the freshman Pena might be overmatched in effort.
Forward Villanova’s Dante Cunningham (below right) vs. Kansas’ Darrell Arthur (below left)
Edge >> Kansas
Other than Reynolds, Cunningham is the Wildcats’ most consistent threat. He’s started every game this season, playing 29.9 minutes per game, and shoots 54.9 percent from the field. If Villanova is going to hang with Kansas, Cunningham will have to dominate defensively and contribute offensively. Easier said than done against Arthur, KU’s skilled big man. Arthur is due for a big game, which is bad news for Cunningham.
Bench
Edge >> Kansas
Normally, this category is almost pointless when the Jayhawks are involved. But Villanova makes it interesting. The Wildcats have four players on their bench averaging at least 4.6 points per game, led by freshman point guard Corey Fisher from the Bronx, N.Y., who averages 9.2. Of course, Kansas will bring Sherron Collins off its bench, but Collins will be playing with a bruised left knee and isn’t 100 percent. Sasha Kaun and Cole Aldrich barely put Kansas over the top.
Coaching
Edge >> Push
Jay Wright and Bill Self are two of the best young coaches in college basketball, and their records bear that out. Wright is 147-82 at Villanova, and Self is an astounding 138-32. They coach a similar, in-your-face defensive style, and both count on their guards to control the pace. Wright and Self are friends, and the only thing anyone can know for sure is that Wright will be the best-dressed coach tonight.
Intangibles
Edge >> Villanova
The young and intrepid Wildcats truly have nothing to lose tonight. The Jayhawks will try their best to stay loose all day as they wait for their late start, but it will be more difficult with all of the expectations that have been thrust upon them.
Bottom line
Edge >> Kansas
BOTTOM LINE: Villanova is simply too young and inexperienced to seize this moment. KU’s defensive pressure will wear down Scottie Reynolds late in the game, and KU’s big bodies will dominate the glass inside. Kansas, 82-66