Prediction for the NCAA Championship game

Kentucky vs. Kansas

Kentucky is playing lights out right now they are clearly the best team in the country. I don’t know if some of the bad NBA teams could beat them right now. The star for the Wildcats is once again Anthony Davis. Just like Kentucky is clearly the best team in the country Davis is clearly the best player in the nation. All the freshman did against Louisville was finish with 18 points, bring down 14 rebounds, and block 5 shots. He was 7 of 8 shooting from the field. Two of those field goals were highlight real alley oops. Guards Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague once again were solid for the Wildcats versus Louisville. These two have played their best basketball in the tournament. Teague finished the game with 8 points 5 assists, and only 2 turnovers. He had 2 driving layups early that really set a tone for the game. Lamb finished with 10 points. He needs to make some threes if the Wildcats are going to cut down the nets on Monday.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist picked up two fouls and sat the rest of the 1st half. He never got into a rhythm but he still finished with 9 points all in the second half. Gilchrist got most of the points late in the half that sealed the victory for Kentucky. Most of those points were on strong drives to the basket. Terrence Jones struggled on offense this game finishing with 6 points on 3 of 8 shooting. He did bring down 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Darius Miller was once again a star off the bench. He finished with 13 points on 4 of 7 shooting. Miller was also 4 of 4 from the free throw line. Miller hit a key three when Louisville made a run. He would a starter at every other school in the country. Kyle Wiltjer also gave Kentucky solid plays off the bench with 5 points including 1 three.

For the game Kentucky shot lights out from the field against Louisville. They were 28 out of 49 that is 57 %. They also played excellent defense holding the Cardinals to 35 % shooting from the field. As a team the Wildcats finished the game with 7 steals and 7 blocks. The Wildcats do need to clear some things up if they want to win the championship on Monday night. First they were outrebounded by 5 and gave up 16 offensive rebounds to the Cardinals. Kentucky only shot 11 of 20 from the free throw line. They also didn’t shot the three very well they were just 2 of 7. Lastly they need to take better care of the ball. They had 14 turnovers compared to only 9 assists.

Once again the Jayhawks play excellent defense in the second half to move on to the title game to play Kentucky. This Jayhawk team just does not give up. They were down as many as 13 points in this game and they only led for a total of 3: 48 minutes. They just have the will to win, that other teams don’t have.

Leading the Jayhawks was once again Thomas Robinson, who finished with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Robinson though did his work on defense limited the leading scorer in the tournament Deshaun Thomas to 9 points on 3 of 14 shooting. Jeff Withey only had 4 points but he was a beast on the defensive end. The Big 12 Defensive Player of the year finished with 8 rebounds and 7 blocks. He probably alters a lot of shots too. He frustrated Ohio State Jared Sullinger into 5 of 19 shooting from the field. Withey’s length gave him all kind of problems. Point guard Tyshawn Taylor shooting woes continued but he did make two free throws late to seal the victory for the Jayhawks. Taylor was just 3 of 11 from the floor. He has not made a three this whole NCAA tournament. Taylor did impact the game with his passing he finished with 9 assists but he also had 5 turnovers. He did come up with a big steal late. If Kansas is to beat Kentucky Taylor needs to play a lot better.

Elijah Johnson continued his hot play in the tournament. In this game he finished with 13 points on 6 of 9 shooting including 1 big three pointer. He also brought down 10 rebounds not bad for a guard. Johnson had a layup late to give the Jayhawks a three point lead. Travis Releford really stepped up his offensive game for Kansas last night. Coming into this game he was only averaging about 8 points in the tournament against Ohio State he had 15 points on 5 of 7 shooting. He was 4 of 4 from the line with all the free throws coming late in the 2nd half. Releford also finished with 6 rebounds.

Conner Teahan hit a big three for Kansas off the bench and Kevin Young brought down 5 rebounds. 4 of those rebounds were offensive. Last time out the Jayhawks outrebounded UNC the best rebounding team in the country. This game was no different as they outrebounded Ohio State by 11. The Jayhawks played lights out defense the whole game limiting the Buckeyes to 34 % shooting from the field. If the Jayhawks want to beat Kentucky on Monday night they are some things they need to improve. They cannot commit 17 turnovers and shoot 3 of 11 from behind the arch.

I think Davis and Gilchrist will be too much for the Jayhawks to handle as John Calipari wins his first national championship. Look for Lamb to hit a key shot late in the game.

Score: Kentucky-73 Kansas-66

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