ST. LOUIS — Think “big” for this year’s Final Four.
Big programs. Big-name coaches.
And some big (and really tall) players.
It’s said that college basketball has become a guard’s game, and the impact of perimeter play cannot be disputed or overstated.
But when Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville and Ohio State arrive in New Orleans this week, they will look good stepping off the bus, as the saying goes.
Kentucky features a ready-made NBA frontline with All-American freshman Anthony Davis (6-foot-10), sophomore Terrence Jones (6-9) and senior Darius Miller (6-8).
Kentucky coach John Calipari has often said Jones can be the best player in the nation. And Davis, the nation’s top shot-blocker, may well be. Opponents that try to drive inside and challenge the Wildcats’ “bigs” do so at their own peril.
“We’re just being more aggressive on offense, just trying to attack the rim,” Jones said. “And we’re just trying to be more physical on offense and defense, to get more rebounds.
“That’s what is usually helping us win games — getting more rebounds.”
Kansas starts three guards but has more than enough in the paint with two juniors: Wooden Award finalist Thomas Robinson (6-10) and 7-foot center Jeff Withey.
A self-proclaimed beachcomber from Southern California, Withey is one of the nation’s most improved players. He blocked 10 shots in the Midwest Regional semifinal against North Carolina State. Then he started KU’s 12-0 run to finish off Sunday’s 80-67 win over North Carolina for a trip to New Orleans.
Withey’s efforts do not surprise his teammates.
“I think it was Jeff’s first practice with us three or four years ago, and I tried to dunk on him,” Kansas senior guard Tyshawn Taylor recalled. “He blocked the ball, and me too. I fell down and busted my lip. I don’t think I tried again after that.”
Louisville’s top player, Peyton Siva, is a junior point guard. But the Cardinals would not have outscored Florida 18-3 down the stretch Saturday without the play of two emerging talents up front: Gorgui Dieng (6-10) and Chane Behanan (6-7).
“I just kept looking at the clock,” Behanan said after the comeback win over the Gators, “telling myself we’ve been in this type of situation.”
Louisville coach Rick Pitino said his team, though not loaded with star power as past Cardinals rosters, has a big upside, with an emphasis on big.
“You can see the potential,” Pitino said Saturday. “You can see how good Chane Behanan is going to be. You can see Gorgui Dieng is going to be one of the premier centers in the game.”
Ohio State All-America sophomore Jared Sullinger (6-9) sparked the Buckeyes’ victory Saturday over top-seeded Syracuse in the East Regional final with 19 points and seven rebounds, despite sitting the last 12 minutes of the first half with foul trouble.
Sullinger is probably closer to 6-8 and lacks spectacular leaping ability. But, in the spirit of Charles Barkley or Kevin Love, he knows how to use his strength and girth to get in the right position, and he has an extraordinary feel for the game that can’t be taught.
Ohio State has overcome a late-season slump that included losses at home to Wisconsin and Michigan State.
“I appreciate everyone that doubted this basketball team,” Sullinger told reporters after the win over Syracuse. “(They) said we were underdogs, we wasn’t good enough, wasn’t mentally strong enough, not physically strong enough, mentally immature. We heard it all.
“Through all the adversity, we pushed through that. We’re just trying to play hard and play smart. We’re not going down to New Orleans for a vacation. It’s a business trip.”
That no doubt will be the mind-set for the other three teams as well because winning two more games against these marquee programs figures to be, yes, a tall order.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
No. 1 Kentucky (36-2) vs. No. 4 Louisville (30-9)Saturday, 4:09 p.m., KCNC-4
‘Cats and Cards: Kentucky has looked almost unbeatable. But in a passionate in-state rivalry, the underdog usually gets an emotional bump. If the powerhouse Wildcats allow Louisville to hang around, coach Rick Pitino’s Cardinals have shown they can find a way to turn slop into success. Look for Louisville to spread the Superdome court and rely on spacing to diminish the dominance of Kentucky’s towering front line. Peyton’s place: Louisville has the right point guard to spread things around, Peyton Siva. Bottom line: This rivalry can get downright nasty, especially with ex-Kentucky coach Pitino now at Louisville. “(This game) is awesome for the state,” Pitino said. “I don’t get into the petty things with Kentucky vs. Louisville. … But there will be people at Kentucky that will have a nervous breakdown if they lose to us.”
No. 2 Kansas (31-6) vs. No. 2 Ohio State (31-7)Saturday, 6:49 p.m., KCNC-4
Ready for a rematch: Kansas, ranked No. 13 at the time, won a Dec. 10 meeting 78-67 over the No. 2 Buckeyes in Lawrence, Kan., getting 21 points from Thomas Robinson, an effort that may have put the junior forward in the conversation among the nation’s top players. Losing for the first time after eight victories, Ohio State played without its All-American, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Jared Sullinger, who was injured. Self-made concern: Kansas coach Bill Self says Ohio State has more than Sullinger for KU to stop. “Aaron Craft is as good as any point guard in the country, and William Buford has made as many big shots as any (tournament) team left.” Bottom line: Eyes will be on Robinson vs. Sull- inger, but watch the matchup between defensive specialist Craft vs. Tyshawn Taylor, who makes KU’s fast break go. Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
No. 2 Kansas (31-6) vs. No. 2 Ohio State (31-7)Saturday, 6:49 p.m., KCNC-4
Ready for a rematch: Kansas, ranked No. 13 at the time, won a Dec. 10 meeting 78-67 over the No. 2 Buckeyes in Lawrence, Kan., getting 21 points from Thomas Robinson, an effort that may have put the junior forward in the conversation among the nation’s top players. Losing for the first time after eight victories, Ohio State played without its All-American, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Jared Sullinger, who was injured. Self-made concern: Kansas coach Bill Self says Ohio State has more than Sullinger for KU to stop. “Aaron Craft is as good as any point guard in the country, and William Buford has made as many big shots as any (tournament) team left.” Bottom line: Eyes will be on Robinson vs. Sull- inger, but watch the matchup between defensive specialist Craft vs. Tyshawn Taylor, who makes KU’s fast break go.
