Championship: #2 Kansas vs. #1 Kentucky

[Real Deal]

TIME: 9:23 PM ET

TV: CBS

[Flash]

MKG is the difference in this game IMO. Kansas has absolutely no one who can stick with him. I think he's in for a huge game. Davis will dominate again, he's just on another level right now. If KU wants a shot at this Taylor has to play a perfect game and T Rob needs to really dominate Terrence Jones (who's actually due for a good game after the stinker he laid in the Final 4).

[Real Deal]

MKG is the difference in this game IMO. Kansas has absolutely no one who can stick with him.

Releford won't be dominated. He may have trouble, but this isn't going to be LeBron James in an Ohio State uniform, either.

 

Self is going to have to be aware of his rotations when Kentucky subs in and out. They will come with guns blazing when Teahan is in the game. I really hope Releford and Johnson get a LOT of time on the floor together, and maybe Self even tries Young on MKG (if Releford gets into foul trouble).

 

I don't think Davis will be as good as everyone believes, by the way. Not against Withey.

 

I'm most worried about the other three on the court for Kentucky. Jones and Lamb could easily get theirs.

 

I just hope to God that Taylor lets Teague chuck, if he soaks in the spotlight a bit too much. That's really the one thing I'm hoping to see out of Kentucky, and honestly, that could open the door for a Kansas run.

 

The idea is that it will be a cakewalk. Everyone said the same thing with Calipari's 38-1 (going into the game) Memphis team that we beat in 2008, that there was no way we were going to beat Rose, CDR and Dorsey. Memphis won every previous game in the tourney with EASE, minus the second round, where Calipari decided to flirt with the rotations and get his guys rest.

 

Kentucky may have more star power than that Tigers squad, and over many squads over the years...but Louisville made them play hard for 40 minutes, and so did Indiana.

 

The difference between Kansas and Louisville? KU plays nearly the same level of defense, but they are a much better scoring team...and if Louisville didn't shoot 35% and completely drop the ball on the offensive end, they could have won.

[Flash]

You realize UK didn't play very well against Louisville and still ended up winning somewhat comfortably there at the end. Davis has dominated everyone so far. Withey will be no different. I just don't think KU can score enough points to stay with them. We haven't even mentioned Davis' impact on the defensive end either. I'd throw him on T-Rob and dare him to try and score over that length.

 

MKG is a monster I just don't think Releford or anyone else KU throws at him is gonna stop him. KU just doesn't matchup well against him. The only way is if he gets into foul trouble again which I don't see happening.

 

This UK team is just so dominant. Yeah Indiana made them play for 40 minutes and they still lost by 12. They absolutely dominated Baylor until the last few minutes. Then they play arguably the hottest team in the tournament last night, withstand every run on an off night for them and still end up shredding the best press in America in the last 2 minutes. For all the shit Terrence Jones gets (which is all deserved) he can still go off for 17 and 9 in this game because he's that good. Kentucky is efficient, well balanced and the most complete team since the 2009 UNC team that won it all. I just honestly don't see anyone beating them, I wasn't even confident UNC with Marshall could pull it off.

 

Just wondering, what has Davis shown that says he won't dominate against Withey? He's dominated better players this year.

 

And lastly, this UK team would throttle that Memphis team by at least 15.

[Flash]

That being said, I don't like Bill Self all too much but Frank Haith stole his COY award. The job Self has done this year is incredible because that KU group really doesn't have too much elite talent but they're one of the scrappiest teams I've ever seen. They really get after it.

[Real Deal]

You realize UK didn't play very well against Louisville and still ended up winning somewhat comfortably there at the end. Davis has dominated everyone so far. Withey will be no different. I just don't think KU can score enough points to stay with them. We haven't even mentioned Davis' impact on the defensive end either. I'd throw him on T-Rob and dare him to try and score over that length.

I can say the same thing about how bad KU has played against teams, and still pulling out wins. Hell, that's been the story of the tournament, actually.

 

This UK team is just so dominant. Yeah Indiana made them play for 40 minutes and they still lost by 12.

Indiana is also an average defensive team...average at their absolute best. Kentucky dropped 500 points on them because of it. Louisville held Kentucky to under 70.

 

They absolutely dominated Baylor until the last few minutes. Then they play arguably the hottest team in the tournament last night, withstand every run on an off night for them and still end up shredding the best press in America in the last 2 minutes. For all the shit Terrence Jones gets (which is all deserved) he can still go off for 17 and 9 in this game because he's that good. Kentucky is efficient, well balanced and the most complete team since the 2009 UNC team that won it all. I just honestly don't see anyone beating them, I wasn't even confident UNC with Marshall could pull it off.

The hottest team in the tournament in regards to...what? Louisville wasn't going to beat Kentucky, and they were lucky against Florida...had to rely on the Gators with the ultimate choke. The UNM Lobos had to choke also. Louisville is the same team that was sliding out of the rankings near the end of the season, mainly because they couldn't score the ball. The only win I give full credit to them for is the Michigan State victory, because their defense was nothing short of amazing...but again, I'm surprised they scored 55+ in that game.

 

Just wondering, what has Davis shown that says he won't dominate against Withey? He's dominated better players this year.

How many true seven-footers did he play this season? I'm not saying he struggled in any game (aside from the Bama game, of course, but both Green and Jacobs outweigh him by 30-35 pounds each), but you're underrating what Withey can do just because he's not a top pick in the NBA draft.

 

The game they had against each other, Self pulled Withey out for quite a bit of it, had Robinson trying to defend Davis.

 

http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=313192305

 

KU, who was known as the rebuilding team at that time (just the second game of their season, and had no shot at getting to the Sweet 16, in the minds of many), kept the game close...and even maintained the tie into the first half. This was with Tyshawn playing horrible basketball at the beginning of the year, acting as if he didn't have a team, and Bill Self trying to figure out what lineup would be the best.

 

Ten point game. Kentucky is really no different than they were at the beginning of the season. KU is miles ahead of where they started, something you will even acknowledge.

 

Right now, there is no better team to knock off Kentucky. Yeah, I know, you basically HAVE to say that because of the circumstance, but out of the other 63 in the tourney, Kansas has the goods to get it done because of what they have up front. While some teams are forced to start a player the size of Robinson at the five, KU has the room to play him at his natural position, with a true seven-footer that anchors the defense...and what makes the Wildcats so good is also what makes KU one of the best teams in college basketball as well.

[The Regime]

Kansas needs to play at a slower pace, what got them into trouble in their matchup earlier this season was shots early in the shot clock. I think Kansas has a legit shot at winning the game especially if Kentucky struggles like they did against Louisville.

[Built Ford Tough]

Anthony Davis scored 18 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and blocked five shots in 69-61 win over Louisville at the Final Four on Saturday.

 

As the final seconds ticked away, Davis threw the ball in the air and repeatedly shouted "This is my stage!" to the announced crowd of 73,361 at the New Orleans Superdome.

 

"We're from Kentucky," Davis explained. "We're built for this."

 

Davis joined Danny Manning as the only players to have at least 15 points, 10 boards and five blocks in a Final Four game.

 

"When you're playing against Bill Russell at the pro level, you realize why the Celtics won 11 World Championships," Louisville coach Rick Pitino said. "When you see this young man at the collegiate level, you realize why they're so good. Not that their other players aren't, but he's so much of a factor."

 

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/220220/Davis_This_Is_My_Stage!#ixzz1qp47SOk8

 

Love it, even if I want Kansas to win.

[Flash]

No one is stopping that guy...absolutely no one. He's just on another level.

[Warren2ThaG]

Kentucky 62

Kansas 65

[JYD]

This game will be extremely close. Kansas is a better team than Louisville, and Ville kept it close all night. I expect this to come down to the wire, but fully expect to see Kentucky squeak it out.

[Flash]

This game will be extremely close. Kansas is a better team than Louisville, and Ville kept it close all night. I expect this to come down to the wire, but fully expect to see Kentucky squeak it out.

 

You guys really think KU is better than Louisville? I think Louisville would take KU for sure.

[JYD]

Thomas Robinson is better than anyone on Louisville, hands down. Tayshawn Taylor is comparable with Siva. Dieng is an upgrade over Withey. And I rather have Johnson than Kuric or Smith, and Releford and Young are very underrated players. Don't forget that white guy who can shoot #2 forget his name lmao.

[Flash]

I love Louisville's depth. Russ Smith is a beast and Behanon is gonna be a beast. I think UL would take out Kansas.

[Real Deal]

Got a Lakers fan on Twitter mad because I talk about KU more than I do the Lakers. Serious.

 

Sorry, but the Lakers can step aside when it comes to Kansas basketball.

[Built Ford Tough]

I really don't see why Kansas should be so worried about MKG offensively. He really isn't anything special or somebody that you have to gameplan around to stop. Pretty much all of his baskets come off broken plays or transition.

 

I'd be more worried about Lamb and Miller than I would MKG if we are strictly speaking in terms of offense.

 

MKG's worth is his defensive versatility, rebounding and ability to spark the lethal Kentucky break with a block or a steal.

 

I wonder how he is going to handle the pressure of this game, though. He hasn't exactly had a sparkling track record of performing well in these kind of high profile games. He was a dud in the SEC Finals and back in high school fell apart against St. Anthony's.

 

 

As much publicity as the battle of the bigs have gotten, and deservedly so, I think the Teague/Taylor matchup could be the difference maker. Part of what has made Kentucky look so unbeatable in the tournament is his improved play; his decision making in particular. Kentucky won't win if Taylor plays poorly like he has for much of the tournament. They need the same kind of game from him that they got in the UNC matchup, perhaps even better.

 

Even though I think Kentucky will win, I wouldn't be surprised if Kansas did. They just seem to have this aura about them right now. Despite how poorly they have played for the vast majority of the tournament, they just seem to always find a way to make the critical plays down the stretch to come up with a win. They can't afford to have another terrible start, though. Kentucky is too good to battle back from another double digit defecit.

[Cobb]

I will be rooting for Kentucky tonight. It's all about the SEC.

[Flash]

I really don't see why Kansas should be so worried about MKG offensively. He really isn't anything special or somebody that you have to gameplan around to stop. Pretty much all of his baskets come off broken plays or transition.

 

I'd be more worried about Lamb and Miller than I would MKG if we are strictly speaking in terms of offense.

 

MKG's worth is his defensive versatility, rebounding and ability to spark the lethal Kentucky break with a block or a steal.

 

I wonder how he is going to handle the pressure of this game, though. He hasn't exactly had a sparkling track record of performing well in these kind of high profile games. He was a dud in the SEC Finals and back in high school fell apart against St. Anthony's.

 

 

As much publicity as the battle of the bigs have gotten, and deservedly so, I think the Teague/Taylor matchup could be the difference maker. Part of what has made Kentucky look so unbeatable in the tournament is his improved play; his decision making in particular. Kentucky won't win if Taylor plays poorly like he has for much of the tournament. They need the same kind of game from him that they got in the UNC matchup, perhaps even better.

 

Even though I think Kentucky will win, I wouldn't be surprised if Kansas did. They just seem to have this aura about them right now. Despite how poorly they have played for the vast majority of the tournament, they just seem to always find a way to make the critical plays down the stretch to come up with a win. They can't afford to have another terrible start, though. Kentucky is too good to battle back from another double digit defecit.

 

See I think MKG can get to the rim and get the Kansas bigs in trouble and his overall play on both ends is a big plus for UK. I honestly think this is the game where Davis REALLY shows us just how dominant he is though. He might be the best college player of the past decade.

 

The wildcard is Terrance Jones. He's due for a good game and he's talented enough to take over this game even with T-Rob or Withey on him.

Edited April 3, 2012 by Flash

[Flash]

DAVIS!!

[Flash]

Also, solid start for MKJ and Teague.

[Cobb]

DAVIS!!

0 or 3, yet still dominating the game.

[Make It Naaaashty]

Kansas better slow down the pace or this game will be over quick. You can't run with this Wildcat team. Crazy game though so far.

[Cobb]

Kansas better slow down the pace or this game will be over quick. You can't run with this Wildcat team. Crazy game though so far.

While I don't think any team can run with Kentucky for a full 40 minutes it's worth a shot and is clearly the game plan for Kansas.

[Flash]

That's not a foul on either Jones or Davis lol

[Flash]

T-Rob walks, Davis swats.