NCAA TOURNAMENT FINAL FOUR
NO. 1 KANSAS VS. NO. 1 VILLANOVA ALAMODOME, SAN ANTONIO, 8:49 P.M. TV/Radio: Records:
(34-4) TBS/WTEL (610AM). Kansas (31-7), Villanova
Probable starters for Kansas:
Devonte Graham 6-2 Sr. G (17.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 7.3 apg, 40.3 3-point FG percentage); Svi Mykhailuk 6-8 Sr. G (14.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 44.7 3-point FG); Malik Newman 6-3 RSo. G (14.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 41.5 3-point FG percentage; Udoka Azubuike 7-0 So. C (13.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.7 blocked shots per game); Lagerald Vick 6-5 Jr. G (12.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 37.8 3-point FG percentage).
Probable starters for Villanova:
Jalen Brunson 6-3 Jr. G (19.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.6 apg, 52.7 FG percentage, 41.4 3-point FG percentage); Mikal Bridges 6-7 Jr. G/F (17.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.9 apg, 51.2 FG percentage, 43.6 3-point field goal percentage); Omari Spellman 6-9 RFr. F (10.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 48.2 FG percentage, 44.6 3-point FG percentage, 1.5 blocked shots per game); Phil Booth 6-3 RJr G (10.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 44.4 FG percentage, 39.0 3-point field goal percentage); Eric Paschall 6-9 RJr. F (10.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 52.0 FG percentage).
A look at Kansas:
The Jayhawks have won seven in a row since losing to Oklahoma State in the regular-season finale, 82-64. Kansas has scored 80 or more points in six of those games. Although Devonte’ Graham is struggling with his shot in the NCAA tournament (34percent overall, 32percent from 3-point range), the All-American guard is the unquestioned leader of the team. Malik Newman, a transfer from Mississippi, has been on fire in the tournament. He is averaging 21.8points per game and shooting 44.8percent from deep and was the Most Outsanding Player in the South Regional. The Jayhawks can shoot it. Kansas is 12th nationally in field goal percentage (49.3) and 11th in 3-point field goal percentage (40.3).
The defense gets better and better with every round. The Wildcats are allowing just 64 points per game in the tournament, and teams are shooting just 36.7 percent overall and 27.2 percent from 3-point land. The defense began to improve when redshirt junior Phil Booth returned to the lineup after missing seven games with a broken right hand. Booth helped shut down Keenan Evans of Texas Tech in the East Regional final Sunday. Omari Spellman has been solid in the tournament, averaging 11.5 points while shooting 47.3 percent from 3-point range to earn a spot on the All-East Region team along with Eric Paschall and Jalen Brunson, the Most Outstanding Player in the regional.
A look at Villanova: