No. 1 Tigers: 38-1 overall, 16-0 in Conference USA
vs.
No. 1 Jayhawks: 36-3 overall, 13-3 in Big 12
Key matchup.
Kansas’ Russell Robinson vs. Memphis’ Derrick Rose. Rose makes Memphis go and was the missing ingredient that got the Tigers back to the Final Four. He embarrassed UCLA’s Russell Westbrook, widely considered the nation’s best defensive guard, and is probably the best point guard in the country, despite being a freshman. Rose is averaging 21.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists while shooting 55 percent in the NCAAs. Robinson is a solid, fundamental defensive point guard who doesn’t gamble much. He held North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson to only two assists and nine points on 2-for-8 shooting. Robinson also forced Davidson star Stephen Curry into a 9-for-25 shooting day.
Up high.
Watch the scoring matchup between Kansas’ Brandon Rush (13.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Memphis’ Chris Douglas-Roberts (18.0, 4.2). They are similar players — slashers who can score from anywhere on the floor, and they are their teams’ respective leading scorers. Mario Chalmers is Kansas’ deadliest shooter, hitting 47 percent from 3-point range and second to Rush in scoring at 12.6 ppg. Chalmers is scorching the nets in the NCAAs at 52 percent overall and 44 percent (11-of-25) from the 3. Memphis’ Antonio Anderson will likely cover Rush as he has covered the opposing team’s top scorer all year. Kansas is a great defensive team. It will give up height in the backcourt with both Robinson and Chalmers at 6-feet-1 but not quickness.
Down low.
Kansas’ 6-8, 250-pound Darnell Jackson (11.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg) won’t be the physical challenge Joey Dorsey faced when he shut down UCLA’s Kevin Love on Saturday. Dorsey is not much of a scorer at 6.9 ppg, but he’s averaging 10.4 rebounds in the NCAAs and has blocked 12 shots in five games. Darrell Arthur is Kansas’ most athletic player (12.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and will need to utilize all his athleticism against the superior athletic Tigers. Robert Dozier (9.1 ppg) is just as athletic at 6-9, 215, and can score from anywhere.
Quote.
“This is a veteran team, a driven team, and he’s made us better. But the other reason we’re better is the guys you see sitting here have gotten better. Chris Douglas, Antonio and Joey aren’t the same players they were a year ago. They’re way better.” – John Calipari, Memphis coach, on Rose
The Post’s pick: Memphis
John Henderson, The Denver Post
