West Region final
The West Region was widely perceived to be the toughest section when the brackets were announced a few weeks ago. The seeds have held serve, setting up this epic battle between top-seed Arizona (28-3 SU, 13-15 ATS) and second-seed Kansas (28-7 SU, 15-15 ATS).
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Arizona as a 3 ?-point Arrowhead Pond favorite over Kansas, with the total listed at 156. The line has since moved to two, with the total set at 157. CBS will begin coverage of the West Region final Saturday starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The Jayhawks can use the revenge theme for a couple reasons against the Wildcats. Arizona beat Kansas Jan. 25 at Allen Fieldhouse as a five-point road underdog, 91-74.
The Wildcats also derailed what was arguably Kansas?s best team the past decade in 1997 during a Sweet 16 encounter. The Jayhawks entered that 1997 affair as the top-ranked team, but it was Arizona who advanced and eventually won the championship.
Kansas enjoyed a 52-39 halftime lead versus Arizona in that Jan. 25 clash, but was outscored 52-22 in the second half. The Jayhawks had their way in the first half when the Wildcats were playing man-to-man defense, but the game changed when Arizona went to a 1-3-1 zone.
Arizona shooting guard Salim Stoudamire poured in 20 of his 32 points in the second half as the team overcame a 20-point first-half deficit. That victory snapped a 25-game homecourt winning streak for Kansas.
Coach Lute Olson?s squad opened the second half with a 23-5 run to get back into the game. The Jayhawks missed their first seven shots after halftime en route to a dismal 29 percent (9-of-31) in the final 20 minutes. Kansas blistered the nets in the first half by connecting on 65 percent (22-of-34).
Arizona point guard Jason Gardner accounted for 23 points, while Rick Anderson contributed 15. Arizona also connected 85 percent (22-of-26) of its free throws.
The Jayhawks? Keith Langford scored 27 points and teammate Nick Collison added 17. However, Kansas couldn?t overcome its 17 turnovers (10 in the second half). The Wildcats also enjoyed a 38-28 rebounding advantage.
Kansas marksman Kirk Hinrich had 15 points, but shot a poor 6-of-17 from the field including 2-of-10 from behind the arc. Those were the only three Jayhawks to reach double digits in scoring.
Both Arizona and Kansas experienced some turbulence to make it to this Elite Eight matchup. The Wildcats cruised in the first round versus Vermont as a 26-point ?chalk,? 80-51.
However, Arizona barely survived its second-round contest versus ninth-seed Gonzaga before escaping in double overtime as a 10-point favorite, 96-95. The Wildcats then proceeded to thump fifth-seed Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 as an eight-point favorite, 88-71.
Arizona shot a sizzling 54 percent (23-of-43) in the first half versus the Fighting Irish while committing just one turnover. Gardner finished with 19 points to lead five teammates in double figures. Channing Frye stepped up with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Anderson had nine and 12. The Wildcats maintained a 38-26 scoring advantage in the paint.
Luke Walton enjoyed a solid all-around game with 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds while Hassan Adams netted 14 points off the bench. Arizona shot 47 percent (36-of-76) from the field while Notre Dame connected at a 42 percent (25-of-59) clip.
The closest contest for Kansas this tournament occurred in the first round when the team slipped past 15th-seed Utah State as a 16-point favorite, 64-61. The Jayhawks followed that contest by routing Arizona State as an eight-point ?chalk,? 108-76.
Nick Collison had 33 points and 19 rebounds versus Duke.(Getty Images)
Coach Roy Williams? team beat third-seed Duke Thursday in an epic as a 3 ?-point Anaheim favorite, 69-65. Collison scored a career-high 33 points on 14-of-22 shooting while grabbing 19 rebounds versus the Blue Devils.
Hinrich accounted for just two points on 1-of-9 shooting, while center Jeff Graves was mired in foul trouble. Langford had 13 points, making him the only other Jayhawks player to reach double digits in scoring.
Kansas enjoyed a 44-30 rebounding advantage while shooting 43 percent (29-of-67) from the field. The defense limited Duke to 39 percent (25-of-65).
Arizona is 14-2 SU and 8-7 ATS on the road, winning by an average score of 84-72. Kansas lays claim to a 13-6 SU and 9-8 ATS road record, prevailing by an average score of 77-67.
Arizona is gunning for its first Final Four berth since 2001 when the team lost in the championship game to Duke. The Wildcats have some history at Arrowhead Pond, losing as the top-seed in 1998 as the defending national champion to Utah in the West Region final, 76-51.
Kansas has its sights set on a Final Four berth for the second consecutive year. The Jayhawks advanced to the semifinals last season before losing to eventual champ Maryland.
The winner of this contest will advance to the Final Four Saturday versus the Kentucky/Marquette winner at the Louisiana Superdome.
The West Region was widely perceived to be the toughest section when the brackets were announced a few weeks ago. The seeds have held serve, setting up this epic battle between top-seed Arizona (28-3 SU, 13-15 ATS) and second-seed Kansas (28-7 SU, 15-15 ATS).
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Arizona as a 3 ?-point Arrowhead Pond favorite over Kansas, with the total listed at 156. The line has since moved to two, with the total set at 157. CBS will begin coverage of the West Region final Saturday starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The Jayhawks can use the revenge theme for a couple reasons against the Wildcats. Arizona beat Kansas Jan. 25 at Allen Fieldhouse as a five-point road underdog, 91-74.
The Wildcats also derailed what was arguably Kansas?s best team the past decade in 1997 during a Sweet 16 encounter. The Jayhawks entered that 1997 affair as the top-ranked team, but it was Arizona who advanced and eventually won the championship.
Kansas enjoyed a 52-39 halftime lead versus Arizona in that Jan. 25 clash, but was outscored 52-22 in the second half. The Jayhawks had their way in the first half when the Wildcats were playing man-to-man defense, but the game changed when Arizona went to a 1-3-1 zone.
Arizona shooting guard Salim Stoudamire poured in 20 of his 32 points in the second half as the team overcame a 20-point first-half deficit. That victory snapped a 25-game homecourt winning streak for Kansas.
Coach Lute Olson?s squad opened the second half with a 23-5 run to get back into the game. The Jayhawks missed their first seven shots after halftime en route to a dismal 29 percent (9-of-31) in the final 20 minutes. Kansas blistered the nets in the first half by connecting on 65 percent (22-of-34).
Arizona point guard Jason Gardner accounted for 23 points, while Rick Anderson contributed 15. Arizona also connected 85 percent (22-of-26) of its free throws.
The Jayhawks? Keith Langford scored 27 points and teammate Nick Collison added 17. However, Kansas couldn?t overcome its 17 turnovers (10 in the second half). The Wildcats also enjoyed a 38-28 rebounding advantage.
Kansas marksman Kirk Hinrich had 15 points, but shot a poor 6-of-17 from the field including 2-of-10 from behind the arc. Those were the only three Jayhawks to reach double digits in scoring.
Both Arizona and Kansas experienced some turbulence to make it to this Elite Eight matchup. The Wildcats cruised in the first round versus Vermont as a 26-point ?chalk,? 80-51.
However, Arizona barely survived its second-round contest versus ninth-seed Gonzaga before escaping in double overtime as a 10-point favorite, 96-95. The Wildcats then proceeded to thump fifth-seed Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 as an eight-point favorite, 88-71.
Arizona shot a sizzling 54 percent (23-of-43) in the first half versus the Fighting Irish while committing just one turnover. Gardner finished with 19 points to lead five teammates in double figures. Channing Frye stepped up with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Anderson had nine and 12. The Wildcats maintained a 38-26 scoring advantage in the paint.
Luke Walton enjoyed a solid all-around game with 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds while Hassan Adams netted 14 points off the bench. Arizona shot 47 percent (36-of-76) from the field while Notre Dame connected at a 42 percent (25-of-59) clip.
The closest contest for Kansas this tournament occurred in the first round when the team slipped past 15th-seed Utah State as a 16-point favorite, 64-61. The Jayhawks followed that contest by routing Arizona State as an eight-point ?chalk,? 108-76.
Nick Collison had 33 points and 19 rebounds versus Duke.(Getty Images)
Coach Roy Williams? team beat third-seed Duke Thursday in an epic as a 3 ?-point Anaheim favorite, 69-65. Collison scored a career-high 33 points on 14-of-22 shooting while grabbing 19 rebounds versus the Blue Devils.
Hinrich accounted for just two points on 1-of-9 shooting, while center Jeff Graves was mired in foul trouble. Langford had 13 points, making him the only other Jayhawks player to reach double digits in scoring.
Kansas enjoyed a 44-30 rebounding advantage while shooting 43 percent (29-of-67) from the field. The defense limited Duke to 39 percent (25-of-65).
Arizona is 14-2 SU and 8-7 ATS on the road, winning by an average score of 84-72. Kansas lays claim to a 13-6 SU and 9-8 ATS road record, prevailing by an average score of 77-67.
Arizona is gunning for its first Final Four berth since 2001 when the team lost in the championship game to Duke. The Wildcats have some history at Arrowhead Pond, losing as the top-seed in 1998 as the defending national champion to Utah in the West Region final, 76-51.
Kansas has its sights set on a Final Four berth for the second consecutive year. The Jayhawks advanced to the semifinals last season before losing to eventual champ Maryland.
The winner of this contest will advance to the Final Four Saturday versus the Kentucky/Marquette winner at the Louisiana Superdome.
