Championship PREVIEW
JONATHAN HOWARD & MATT DOYON- Sports Editor & Associate Sports Editor
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.
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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.
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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
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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.)
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