No. 1 Kentucky (37-2) vs. No. 2 Kansas (32-6) When » Monday, 9:23 p.m.
Where » Superdome, New Orleans
TV » CBS
Keys to a Kentucky victory
1 No lead is safe » Kentucky can’t get comfortable with any lead against Kansas. The Jayhawks have grown accustomed to coming back from double-digit deficits. In the Final Four, Kansas was down as many as 13 points in the first half against Ohio State. Against Purdue in the round of 32, Kansas overcame a 10-point second-half deficit. And in a late-season matchup against Missouri, Kansas came back from being down 19 points in the second half and won in overtime. If Kentucky gets a big lead, it can’t get complacent against one of the best late-game teams in the country.
2 Stay out of foul trouble » Kentucky forward Anthony Davis has fouled out of only one game this season — on Nov. 20 against Old Dominion — but foul trouble limited Davis to just 24 minutes in the Wildcats’ lone regular-season defeat to Indiana. In the Final Four against Louisville, it was the Wildcats’ other freshman sensation who couldn’t stay on the floor. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist played just 23 minutes because of foul trouble and didn’t score until midway through the second half. Against Kansas, it’s essential both aggressive freshmen stay on the floor for Kentucky.
Keys to a Kansas victory
1 Hit the offensive boards » Kentucky is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, averaging 39.2 a game. But in the Final Four, Louisville was able to keep it close because of its second-chance points. The Cardinals grabbed 16 offensive rebounds. Kansas will have to take advantage when the country’s best shot-blocker, Kentucky’s Anthony Davis, ventures out of the lane to challenge shots. Kansas forward Thomas Robinson, who averaged 11.8 rebounds a game this season, and center Jeff Withey need to score on those second-chance opportunities.
2 Win the game of percentages » In five tournament games, Kansas hasn’t allowed an opponent to score more than 67 points, and only North Carolina shot better than 40 percent from the floor against the Jayhawks, Kentucky has scored more than 67 points in each of its tournament games and shot 57.1 percent from the floor against Louisville — no team has shot better in a Final Four game since 1990. Kansas wants a lower-scoring game and needs to make Kentucky really work for its shots, which means they need to limit the Wildcats’ chances for easy buckets in transition. Kentucky excels in the open floor.
Key matchup
Anthony Davis (Kentucky) vs. Jeff Withey (Kansas)
Davis led the country in blocked shots this season, rejecting 4.6 per game. But Withey actual has more blocks in the NCAA tournament (27) than Davis (23). Against Ohio State, the Jayhawks’ 7-footer locked down Jared Sullinger, who shot just 5-for-19 from the floor. While Davis uses his long wing span and athleticism to challenge shots, Withey’s size and timing give opponents problems. Who will be the more dominant defensive force Monday night?
By the numbers
19 More wins Kentucky has in its program’s history than Kansas. The two teams are the winningest schools in college basketball history.
0 National championships for Kentucky coach John Calipari, who has made four Final Fours (two were vacated) in his 20-year coaching career.
0 Three-pointers made in 20 attempts by Kansas point guard Tyshawn Taylor in the NCAA tournament. He hit 37.7 percent from beyond the arc during the regular season.
7 Straight games in which Kansas guard Elijah Johnson has reached double digits in scoring. In his previous 18 games, he scored 10 points or more just six times.
Last meeting
Kentucky 75, Kansas 65 (Nov. 15, 2011)
The Wildcats had a balanced attack and opened the second half on a 13-2 run to take control in this early season matchup. All five of Kentucky’s starters scored in double digits, including Anthony Davis, who added seven blocks to his 14 points. Kansas was led by Thomas Robinson’s double-double (11 points, 12 rebounds) and Tyshawn Taylor’s 22 points. The Jayhawks point guard hit 15 of 17 free throws but was just 3-for-13 from the field.
The Examiner predicts …
Kentucky 71, Kansas 65
Kansas will be the most talented team the Wildcats have faced in the NCAA tournament, but no one can match Kentucky’s ability at each position. John Calipari’s group may be young with three freshmen and two sophomores starting, but they play the right way, always going hard and buying in on the defensive end. With Kansas’ Thomas Robinson on the other side, this should be a physical game decided inside. Anthony Davis will be named the most outstanding player of the tournament.
