Sixty-three teams
down, and just two
more are left. Monday
night’s game between
the Kansas Jayhawks and
the Memphis Tigers is set to be one for the
ages. After setting school, conference and
NCAA records for wins in a season, the
Tigers are now out to win the first national
title in the school’s history. The Jayhawks are
looking for their third title and the school’s
first since 1988. Memphis is considered the
home team, because it was the higher-overall
seed coming into the tournament.
Matchups to watch
1) Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush vs. Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-
Roberts: Both teams have outstanding ball handlers who can school and
wings who can shoot and slash at will. Shutting down the combinations will
be crucial to earn a victory.
2) Darnell Jackson, Darell Arthur, Cole Aldrich, Sasha Kaun vs. Joey Dorsey:
Dorsey isn’t Memphis’ only inside presence, but he certainly is the biggest
link in the chain. His play in the middle is very important to the success of
the Tigers, who missed his production in last year’s Elite Eight loss. Kansas’
group of big men showed they can slow down Tyler Hansbrough; can they
do the same to Dorsey?
Editor’s picks
Jonathan Says: Kansas showed in its victory over North Carolina that it can
compete with the best. Against Memphis, the Jayhawks will finish the job.
Winning the national championship is all about playing your best at the
right time, and Kansas is certainly at its peak. The outstanding combination
of offensive efficiency and defensive prowess that Kansas brings to the table
will be a tough match for Memphis. Although the Tigers have been hot thus
far, Kansas has all the pieces to put out their fire.
Matt Says: Memphis will win the national championship. It has done an excellent
job neutralizing its opponent’s top guards throughout this tournament. For
example, Saturday, UCLA’s Darren Collison and Josh Shipp combined for just
11 points. The Tigers forced the Bruins into committing four more turnovers
than assists and outscored the Pac 10 champs by 12 points in the second
half. It comes as no surprise though, as Memphis has been dominating every
team it faces this season. Memphis’ last three opponents have been ranked in
The Associated Press’ top-18, and the Tigers haven’t missed a beat. In fact,
they beat those three opponents by an average of 17 points.
—
Projected starting lineups
Kansas
G Russell Robinson
6’1″ 205, Sr.
G Mario Chalmers 6’1″ 190, Jr.
F Brandon Rush 6’6″ 210, Jr.
F Darrell Arthur 6’9″ 225, So.
F Darnell Jackson 6’8″ 250, Sr.
Key reserve: G Sherron Collins
5’11” 200, So.
Memphis
G Derrick Rose 6’4″ 195, Fr.
G Andre Allen 5’10” 205, Sr.
G Chris Douglas-Roberts
6’6″ 200, Jr.
F Robert Dozier 6’9 215″, Jr.
F Joey Dorsey 6’9 260″, Sr.
Key reserve: F Shawn Taggart
6’10” 230, Fr.
—
The Kansas file
Big 12 tournament champions
NCAA titles: 2
Record: 36-3
How they got here: def.
Portland State 85-61, def. UNLV
75-56, def. Villanova 72-57, def.
Davidson 59-57, def. North
Carolina 84-66
Leading scorer: Brandon Rush,
13.4 ppg
Leading rebounder: Darnell
Jackson, 6.6 rpg
The Memphis file
Conference USA regular season
and tournament champions
NCAA titles: 0
Record: 38-2
How they got here: def. Texas-
Arlington 87-63, def. Mississippi
State 77-74, def. Michigan State
92-74, def. Texas 85-67, def.
UCLA 78-63
Leading scorer: Chris Douglas- Roberts, 18.0 ppg
Leading rebounder: Joey
Dorsey, 9.7 rpg
—
The game: Kansas
Jayhawks vs. Memphis
Tigers
Where: The
Alamodome, San
Antonio, Texas
When: Mon., April 7,
9:21 p.m. (EST)
TV: CBS
The line: Memphis by 2
(as of Sunday, 5:20 p.m.)