A battle of college basketball's bluebloods -- Kentucky and Kansas are 1 and 2 all-time in wins -- in the national championship will close the 2011-12 season.
When it wanted to be, Kentucky was dominant in its semifinal win over Louisville. The Cardinals played terrific and intense defense in the second half to really make it hard for the Wildcats. They even tied the game at 51. But Kentucky was too tough down the stretch and won 69-61. Anthony Davis, perhaps the best player in the land this season, led Kentucky with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks. He amazed everyone at the game and watching on TV with his incredible wing span and hands. He rejected Cardinal shots and slammed down alley-oops even after they had been tipped in mid-air.
Kansas was anything but dominant in its 64-62 win over Ohio State. The Buckeyes led for almost the entire game. Besides a 2-0 lead for Kansas, Ohio State led until the last couple minutes of the game. All-American Thomas Robinson led Kansas with 19 points and eight rebounds, but the Jayhawks also got plenty of help from Travis Releford, Tyshawn Taylor, and Elijah Johnson, who all scored in double figures. Ohio State hit eight 3-pointers, five more than Kansas, but the Jayhawks did a great job of hounding Jared Sullinger all night and the All-American sophomore was held to 13 points on 5 of 19 shooting. Kansas limited Ohio State to just 28 second-half points while the Jayhawks scored 39.
A lot of people didn't think Kansas would make it this far this season. It was supposed to be in a rebuilding year. Once they made the tournament, however, I'm not sure how many people picked the Jayhawks to win it all (I was one of them, over Kentucky in fact in some of my brackets). The question now is do I go back on my pick or not? Do I have any pride in my Kansas pick? Am I ready to eat crow if I pick Kentucky and my original pick actually takes victory? I think Kentucky will win, but I'd love to see the Jayhawks win this one. They are an easy team to root for, and once you hear Thomas Robinson's story of tragedy, he's a guy you want to see succeed. Last season, during a span of three weeks, he lost his grandfather, grandmother, and mother. Plus, I do not like John Calipari and it is hard to get behind any team that has the same players just for a season or two. Then the roster changes. Kansas' roster, however, is made up of experienced players, and maybe that can be one of the differences tonight. One of the reasons I have thought Kentucky couldn't win it all since Calipari took over there three seasons ago is because I didn't think a bunch of freshmen and sophomores could pull victories out of tough games when it got down to the nitty gritty. This Kentucky team, however, has been trying to change my perspective. Either it is just too incredibly talented to not win the title, or the players are showing maturity levels beyond that of typical freshmen and sophomores. Davis acts and looks like anything but a freshmen. John Wall, now on the Washington Wizards but on Kentucky a couple seasons ago, was a great player but didn't show a lot of toughness or leadership ability. On the other hand, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, another freshman phenom for the Wildcats, exudes confidence and the team team plays better when he plays better.
What about the coaching matchup? Calipari has had oodles and oodles of talent where ever he's coached but has been unable to win the big one. Bill Self, meanwhile, built Illinois up into a contender in the Big Ten before taking Kansas to new heights after taking over for Roy Williams in 2003. Self won a national title over a Calipari-led Memphis team in 2008. The Tigers led by nine in the closing minutes but couldn't hit free throws down the stretch. Kansas tied it and eventually won in overtime.
The two games Saturday night actually followed similar arcs. Both Kansas and Louisville got down by 13 points at one point and came back to tie it. Kentucky responded when Louisville made its run but Ohio State had no answer for Kansas once it stole momentum. Against the Wildcats, I don't think the Jayhawks will be able to play their game of catch up they've been able to play so well this season. Kansas looked lackadaisical in the early going against Ohio State and I think Kentucky would be able to deliver a death blow early that the Buckeyes were unable to deliver. The Jayhawks don't want to be down by more than eight at half. If they can hang around, they have a chance. I like Kentucky's talent to prevail, however. I just think they are too good this season and Calipari will claim his first national championship. The question is will he keep it? His two Final Four runs at Massachusetts and Memphis were vacated for NCAA violations.
Kentucky 67, Kansas 63
When it wanted to be, Kentucky was dominant in its semifinal win over Louisville. The Cardinals played terrific and intense defense in the second half to really make it hard for the Wildcats. They even tied the game at 51. But Kentucky was too tough down the stretch and won 69-61. Anthony Davis, perhaps the best player in the land this season, led Kentucky with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks. He amazed everyone at the game and watching on TV with his incredible wing span and hands. He rejected Cardinal shots and slammed down alley-oops even after they had been tipped in mid-air.
Kansas was anything but dominant in its 64-62 win over Ohio State. The Buckeyes led for almost the entire game. Besides a 2-0 lead for Kansas, Ohio State led until the last couple minutes of the game. All-American Thomas Robinson led Kansas with 19 points and eight rebounds, but the Jayhawks also got plenty of help from Travis Releford, Tyshawn Taylor, and Elijah Johnson, who all scored in double figures. Ohio State hit eight 3-pointers, five more than Kansas, but the Jayhawks did a great job of hounding Jared Sullinger all night and the All-American sophomore was held to 13 points on 5 of 19 shooting. Kansas limited Ohio State to just 28 second-half points while the Jayhawks scored 39.
What about the coaching matchup? Calipari has had oodles and oodles of talent where ever he's coached but has been unable to win the big one. Bill Self, meanwhile, built Illinois up into a contender in the Big Ten before taking Kansas to new heights after taking over for Roy Williams in 2003. Self won a national title over a Calipari-led Memphis team in 2008. The Tigers led by nine in the closing minutes but couldn't hit free throws down the stretch. Kansas tied it and eventually won in overtime.
The two games Saturday night actually followed similar arcs. Both Kansas and Louisville got down by 13 points at one point and came back to tie it. Kentucky responded when Louisville made its run but Ohio State had no answer for Kansas once it stole momentum. Against the Wildcats, I don't think the Jayhawks will be able to play their game of catch up they've been able to play so well this season. Kansas looked lackadaisical in the early going against Ohio State and I think Kentucky would be able to deliver a death blow early that the Buckeyes were unable to deliver. The Jayhawks don't want to be down by more than eight at half. If they can hang around, they have a chance. I like Kentucky's talent to prevail, however. I just think they are too good this season and Calipari will claim his first national championship. The question is will he keep it? His two Final Four runs at Massachusetts and Memphis were vacated for NCAA violations.
Kentucky 67, Kansas 63
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