South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Vick earns Kansas some satisfaction
Lagerald Vick had never watched last season’s Final Four loss to Villanova before this week, when topranked Kansas had to endure every minute of it while prepping for Saturday’s game against the Wildcats.
“We watched it for like, a week straight,” Vick said. “It was definitely hard.”
He’ll have better memories of the rematch.
Vick poured in 29 points Saturday, Dedric Lawson added 28 points and 12 rebounds, and both helped the Jayhawks make just enough free throws in the closing minutes to hold off the No. 17 Wildcats 74-71 in Lawrence, Kan., in a game that was nip-and-tuck almost the entire way.
Devon Dotson added 11 points for the Jayhawks, including four effortless free throws in the final 1:10 to help Kansas (9-0) end a three-game losing streak to Villanova (8-4) — the last two in the NCAA tournament.
“This atmosphere was just awesome,” Wildcats coach Jay Wright said. “We played a great program, just a great atmosphere — tough game — and they just did a great job getting Lagerald Vick in spots where he wanted it, and Dedric Lawson, you know you’re not going to shut them out.”
“We’re still 1-2 against Villanova,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said. “We beat them in the Sweet 16. They beat us in the Elite Eight. They beat us in the Final Four. The game today was nice, but it wasn’t a real game like the others were real games.”