Two battles set for Kansas City
Two national player of the year front-runners, Frank Mason III of Kansas and Caleb Swanigan of Purdue, will lead their teams against each other in the Midwest Regional semifinals tonight in Kansas City, Mo.
In many ways, they’re a microcosm of their teams.
Mason is the granitetough point guard whose ability to get up and down the floor in a blink has caused nightmares for the rest of the Big 12 the past four years. Swanigan is the 6-foot-9, 250-pound bruiser whose ability to dominate the post helped the Boilermakers bully the Big Ten.
The Jayhawks are the essence of speed and shooting, Purdue the epitome of size and strength.
“There is no doubt they’re going to attack us with that matchup,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said yesterday. “And there is no doubt we’re going to attack their matchup at the other end. And both teams are going to try to prevent that.”
With clashing styles, the top-seeded Jayhawks and fifth-seeded Boilermakers promise to deliver a slobber-knocker when they meet at the sold-out Sprint Center, a short drive down Interstate 70 from the Kansas campus in Lawrence.
In the other Midwest semifinal, third-seeded Oregon and sensational forward Dillon Brooks will try to end seventh-seeded Michigan’s dream postseason.
The Ducks blew out Iona before rallying to beat Rhode Island in the tournament’s opening weekend, while the Wolverines followed four wins in four days at the Big Ten tourney with nip-andtuck wins against Oklahoma State and Louisville by a combined four points.
Oh, and the Michigan plane skidded off the runway before the postseason even began, a terrifying incident that has seemingly galvanized the Wolverines during their March run.
“I try to keep my email and texts all answered,” Michigan coach John Beilein said. “They’re coming in dozens all the time.
“Over the years, you meet a lot of people, and the people can sort of identify with this team and appreciate what these young men have done. It’s great. And at some point, I’ll answer them all, but it’s not going to be until somebody tells me you can’t play anymore.”
Calipari extends
Kentucky signed coach John Calipari (as well as football coach Mark Stoops) to a two-year contract extension, keeping him on board through 2024.
Calipari’s base salary increases $500,000 to $7.75 million next season and rises to $8 million annually for each year after under the amended deal.
Tatum goes pro
Duke freshman Jayson Tatum is entering the NBA draft, as expected.
The 6-8 forward was second on the team in both scoring (16.8 points per game) and rebounding (7.3).
“I’m excited to take the next step in pursuing my lifelong dream of playing basketball at the highest possible level,” Tatum said.
He’s the 10th Duke player to turn pro after his freshman season, and the eighth since 2011, a run that started with Kyrie Irving.
Also entering the NBA draft are Florida State’s Dwayne Bacon (6-7 sophomore guard), California’s Ivan Rabb (6-11 sophomore forward), Syracuse’s Tyler Lydon (6-9 sophomore forward) and Wake Forest’s John Collins (6-10 sophomore forward).
Louisville 6-3 sophomore guard Donovan Mitchell will enter the draft pool but not hire an agent. . . .
Virginia junior Marial Shayok and sophomore Jarred Reuter, a Marion native, are transferring.