Overview:
Following a 70-67 loss to St. Joe's back on
December 6, Kansas's record stood at an extremely
unremarkable 3-4. But winning streaks of seven and
ten games propelled the Jayhawks to a share of the
Big 12 regular season title with Texas. If not for
Roy Williams' fantastic job with a young North
Carolina team, Bill Self would probably be the first
choice of many for national coach of the year
honors. No team in the country has held the
opposition to a lower shooting percentage (36.6%)
than Kansas has this season.
Potential Difference Maker: The rule says
that any team making a championship run pretty much
has to have a third scoring option. Funny, I don't
remember the 1988 Kansas title team even having a
number two scorer to go with Danny Manning, but
that's neither here nor there. The job of third
scoring option, behind Brandon Rush and Mario
Chalmers, falls to Russell Robinson. He'll have to
boost his unremarkable 37.3% shooting percentage to
help Kansas keep opposing teams honest on defense.
On Offense: Passing game offense with a few
sets mixed in to get wings scoring opportunities.
Really explosive on the perimeter, and will play a
line up with four skilled perimeter players on the
floor. Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers are their go
to guys.
On Defense: Mostly a man to man team that
likes to get into passing lanes and pressure the
ball. They are not that big inside so they will
rotate guys down to help in the post.
Strength: Perimeter play makers that are very
athletic. They have really gotten better as the year
has gone on.
Weakness: Very young team that could wilt
under the pressure of the dance. Vulnerable on the
interior
Key to Success: Keep playing with the
confidence they have developed during conference
play. Keep the floor spread and push the ball.
How to Beat Them: Grind it out in the half
court and be physical with their young team. Limit
Rush and Chalmers impact and make someone else step
up.
