Player matchups:
Derrick Rose vs. Mario Chalmers
- Derrick Rose rarely turns over the ball and makes challenging plays look easy. While Mario Chalmers is the player I feel will be the one to take the crucial if Kansas is in a tight one, Derrick Rose's strength and athleticism will be too much. Edge: Derrick Rose
Chris Douglas-Roberts vs. Brandon Rush
-This matchup likely will decide the outcome of the game. Both are great shooters with CDR having greater ability in the transition game. If Brandon Rush can limit CDR's effectiveness, Kansas will win. Chris Douglas-Roberts, the All-American is just too good. Edge: Memphis
Darrell Arthur vs. Robert Dozier
-Arthur, when he shows some tenacity and Kansas makes an effort to get the ball down to him he can be one of the most effective big men in the country. Dozier has athleticism for his size, but Arthuer has more. Edge: Kansas
Darnell Jackson vs. Joey Dorsey
-Dorsey has been a changed man since the beginning of the tourney. Dorsey can be very dominant in a game through rebounding and defense without scoring (as shown by in the UCLA game). Darnell Jackson has been very inconsistent in this tournament but can bring a lot to a team. Edge: Memphis
Kansas Bench vs. Memphis Bench
-Kansas: Sasha Kaun has played his best basketball this tournament. He is possibly the only big man that cared to show up for the Davidson game and the reason Kansas is still playing. Sherron Collins can replace Russell Robinson and Chalmers without missing a beat. When his outside shot is falling, he is dangerous. Big negative: Collins turned the ball over 7 times against UNC. And don't forget about Cole Aldrich. He played strong when the other Kansas big men were struggling with foul trouble.
-Memphis: Shawn Taggart is similar to Dozier, neither do too much or hurt a team by stupid mistakes. Shawn can clean up the glass at times but expect Kansas to keep him out of there. !! Kansas, at times is careless with boxing out, which could result in easy baskets for Taggart. Willie Kemp, last year's starting point guard is capable of producing decent numbers when giving Rose a breather. Edge: Kansas
My pick: Kansas in a close one, 87-82.
Derrick Rose vs. Mario Chalmers
- Derrick Rose rarely turns over the ball and makes challenging plays look easy. While Mario Chalmers is the player I feel will be the one to take the crucial if Kansas is in a tight one, Derrick Rose's strength and athleticism will be too much. Edge: Derrick Rose
Chris Douglas-Roberts vs. Brandon Rush
-This matchup likely will decide the outcome of the game. Both are great shooters with CDR having greater ability in the transition game. If Brandon Rush can limit CDR's effectiveness, Kansas will win. Chris Douglas-Roberts, the All-American is just too good. Edge: Memphis
Darrell Arthur vs. Robert Dozier
-Arthur, when he shows some tenacity and Kansas makes an effort to get the ball down to him he can be one of the most effective big men in the country. Dozier has athleticism for his size, but Arthuer has more. Edge: Kansas
Darnell Jackson vs. Joey Dorsey
-Dorsey has been a changed man since the beginning of the tourney. Dorsey can be very dominant in a game through rebounding and defense without scoring (as shown by in the UCLA game). Darnell Jackson has been very inconsistent in this tournament but can bring a lot to a team. Edge: Memphis
Kansas Bench vs. Memphis Bench
-Kansas: Sasha Kaun has played his best basketball this tournament. He is possibly the only big man that cared to show up for the Davidson game and the reason Kansas is still playing. Sherron Collins can replace Russell Robinson and Chalmers without missing a beat. When his outside shot is falling, he is dangerous. Big negative: Collins turned the ball over 7 times against UNC. And don't forget about Cole Aldrich. He played strong when the other Kansas big men were struggling with foul trouble.
-Memphis: Shawn Taggart is similar to Dozier, neither do too much or hurt a team by stupid mistakes. Shawn can clean up the glass at times but expect Kansas to keep him out of there. !! Kansas, at times is careless with boxing out, which could result in easy baskets for Taggart. Willie Kemp, last year's starting point guard is capable of producing decent numbers when giving Rose a breather. Edge: Kansas
My pick: Kansas in a close one, 87-82.
