Marquette vs. Kansas
- Thread starter Senor Capper
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Semifinal Matchup:
Marquette vs. Kansas, 6:05 p.m
Midwest | Marquette Golden Eagles (27-5)
Round 1: Marquette 72, No. 14 Holy Cross 68
Round 2: Marquette 101, No. 6 Missouri 92 (OT)
Sweet 16: Marquette 77, No. 2 Pittsburgh 74
Elite Eight: Marquette 83, No. 1 Kentucky 69
Why Marquette Can Lose: The Eagles haven't been here before and no one would blame them if they get rattled. This is a huge stage for a team, not to mention a coaching staff, and there will be some jitters. Giving up a significant lead to Kansas could be hard to overcome. The Jayhawks also have two big boys in the middle -- Nick Collison and Jeff Graves -- who could become a matchup problem if Robert Jackson and Scott Merritt don't play up to their potential. Dwyane Wade could tire if he's forced to chase Kirk Hinrich on the defensive end. Travis Diener will likely have to deal with Aaron Miles. If that occurs, the Jayhawks still could hold an edge on the wing with Keith Langford. He could be a tough matchup for the Eagles at the big guard/small forward if Wade is forced to cover Hinrich.
Why Marquette Will Win: Wade. Even if everything above happens, he's special enough to overcome it all and guide Marquette into the title game and beyond. He produced a triple-double in the win over Kentucky. If he can duplicate that, or come close, the Jayhawks will be in serious trouble. He's playing at another level and is drawing fouls, too. Kansas can ill afford for someone like Hinrich or Collison or Graves to come up and help on a slashing Wade and get into foul trouble. This team has momentum and is playing with as much energy as any team left in the field. Tom Crean is driven to win a championship. Crean hasn't made a poor decision this season and his game plan to beat Kentucky by being the aggressor was perfect. If he takes the game right at Kansas then the Jayhawks could get knocked back a bit.
Title Chances: For the purposes of this prediction, the answer would have to be not good. That's because we're going with Kansas in this game. But that probably means squat. If Marquette can collapse on Collison the way Arizona did, and Hinrich's shot is off, the Eagles will have an excellent chance of winning.
Player To Watch: Wade. He can score anywhere on the court whenever he wants in the game. Few players ever enter a Final Four with as much confidence as he has in his game. He might as well be a senior. He's a fourth-year junior and is mature on the court. Large stages don't scare him, nor do unforced errors. If Wade is on his game then the Eagles can win.
X Factor: Steve Novak. The freshman hit five 3s against Kentucky. If Marquette gets someone like Novak, a third or fourth option at times in the offense, then the Eagles can win. Novak was a difference maker against Kentucky. He could be the same against Kansas.
West | Kansas Jayhawks (29-7)
Round 1: Kansas 64, No. 15 Utah State 61
Round 2: Kansas 108, No. 10 Arizona State 92
Sweet 16: Kansas 69, No. 3 Duke 65
Elite Eight: Kansas 78, No. 1 Arizona 75
Why Kansas Can Lose: The Jayhawks could have matchup problems in trying to defend Dwyane Wade. He plays within that vulnerable small forward/big guard spot for the Jayhawks. Kansas did a great job defending Ricky Anderson at a similar position, but Wade is a much better athlete and can score with authority going baseline or down the middle. The Jayhawks got a tremendous lift from their role players Saturday against Arizona, but can that be duplicated? Kansas can't win with just Kirk Hinrich and/or Nick Collison playing well. They've got to get something out of Jeff Graves or Keith Langford or Aaron Miles or Michael Lee. Langford has been the most consistent of the four, but the Jayhawks are still inconsistent at those spots. Marquette's defense should be tighter than Arizona's was in the West Region final, and Hinrich might not get the same open looks he had against Arizona. Collison could find himself facing some double teams again, considering he didn't handle the 2-on-1 situations too well against the Wildcats.
Why Kansas Will Win: The Jayhawks have the senior leadership that has been necessary to win recent national titles (see: Michigan State, Duke, Maryland) Collison willed the Jayhawks to the win over Duke. Hinrich nearly did the same in the win over Arizona. These two players are two of the toughest to keep down in recent memory. Kansas causes matchup problems for Marquette because Collison is so skilled and can find ways to score inside. Marquette did a nice job on Kentucky's interior, but Collison is better than Marquis Estill and Jules Camara around the basket. If Hinrich is on, that means he can make shots from well beyond the 3-point arc, forcing Marquette to spread its defense even further from the basket. The Jayhawks also have Roy Williams, who has been in this position before and has to be more ready to win the title than at any other time in his career. Kansas has been opportunistic and will seize on any slippage by the Eagles. Don't be surprised to see Marquette struggle to stay with the Jayhawks if their break is clicking.
Title Chances: Very good. Marquette has been the surprise so far of the four teams mainly because of the margin of victory against Kentucky. But Kansas seems to be on one of those roles champinoship teams get on at this time of March ... into April. And that would include beating Marquette. Just look at who Kansas had to beat to get here: Duke and Arizona. That's two of the best programs in the sport. Beating Duke and Arizona should almost give a team a pass to the title game.
Player To Watch:Collison. He could go for 33 points or eight. His range of scoring was that wide over the weekend. If he's on his game like he was against Duke then the Eagles will likely lose. He is so driven around the basket and has such a variety of moves that he could pose the toughest challenge to Marquette's inside defense. Collison is as seasoned a senior as any lately because of all his USA basketball commitments. Nothing seems to rattle him.
X Factor: Graves. If Graves can duplicate his 13-point, 15-rebound game against Arizona then the Eagles could be toast. Graves was a load inside against Arizona, gobbling up plenty of second-shot chances and preventing the Wildcats from getting out on their break off a missed shot. Graves would be the difference if he's able to score consistently in the post.
Marquette vs. Kansas, 6:05 p.m
Midwest | Marquette Golden Eagles (27-5)
Round 1: Marquette 72, No. 14 Holy Cross 68
Round 2: Marquette 101, No. 6 Missouri 92 (OT)
Sweet 16: Marquette 77, No. 2 Pittsburgh 74
Elite Eight: Marquette 83, No. 1 Kentucky 69
Why Marquette Can Lose: The Eagles haven't been here before and no one would blame them if they get rattled. This is a huge stage for a team, not to mention a coaching staff, and there will be some jitters. Giving up a significant lead to Kansas could be hard to overcome. The Jayhawks also have two big boys in the middle -- Nick Collison and Jeff Graves -- who could become a matchup problem if Robert Jackson and Scott Merritt don't play up to their potential. Dwyane Wade could tire if he's forced to chase Kirk Hinrich on the defensive end. Travis Diener will likely have to deal with Aaron Miles. If that occurs, the Jayhawks still could hold an edge on the wing with Keith Langford. He could be a tough matchup for the Eagles at the big guard/small forward if Wade is forced to cover Hinrich.
Why Marquette Will Win: Wade. Even if everything above happens, he's special enough to overcome it all and guide Marquette into the title game and beyond. He produced a triple-double in the win over Kentucky. If he can duplicate that, or come close, the Jayhawks will be in serious trouble. He's playing at another level and is drawing fouls, too. Kansas can ill afford for someone like Hinrich or Collison or Graves to come up and help on a slashing Wade and get into foul trouble. This team has momentum and is playing with as much energy as any team left in the field. Tom Crean is driven to win a championship. Crean hasn't made a poor decision this season and his game plan to beat Kentucky by being the aggressor was perfect. If he takes the game right at Kansas then the Jayhawks could get knocked back a bit.
Title Chances: For the purposes of this prediction, the answer would have to be not good. That's because we're going with Kansas in this game. But that probably means squat. If Marquette can collapse on Collison the way Arizona did, and Hinrich's shot is off, the Eagles will have an excellent chance of winning.
Player To Watch: Wade. He can score anywhere on the court whenever he wants in the game. Few players ever enter a Final Four with as much confidence as he has in his game. He might as well be a senior. He's a fourth-year junior and is mature on the court. Large stages don't scare him, nor do unforced errors. If Wade is on his game then the Eagles can win.
X Factor: Steve Novak. The freshman hit five 3s against Kentucky. If Marquette gets someone like Novak, a third or fourth option at times in the offense, then the Eagles can win. Novak was a difference maker against Kentucky. He could be the same against Kansas.
West | Kansas Jayhawks (29-7)
Round 1: Kansas 64, No. 15 Utah State 61
Round 2: Kansas 108, No. 10 Arizona State 92
Sweet 16: Kansas 69, No. 3 Duke 65
Elite Eight: Kansas 78, No. 1 Arizona 75
Why Kansas Can Lose: The Jayhawks could have matchup problems in trying to defend Dwyane Wade. He plays within that vulnerable small forward/big guard spot for the Jayhawks. Kansas did a great job defending Ricky Anderson at a similar position, but Wade is a much better athlete and can score with authority going baseline or down the middle. The Jayhawks got a tremendous lift from their role players Saturday against Arizona, but can that be duplicated? Kansas can't win with just Kirk Hinrich and/or Nick Collison playing well. They've got to get something out of Jeff Graves or Keith Langford or Aaron Miles or Michael Lee. Langford has been the most consistent of the four, but the Jayhawks are still inconsistent at those spots. Marquette's defense should be tighter than Arizona's was in the West Region final, and Hinrich might not get the same open looks he had against Arizona. Collison could find himself facing some double teams again, considering he didn't handle the 2-on-1 situations too well against the Wildcats.
Why Kansas Will Win: The Jayhawks have the senior leadership that has been necessary to win recent national titles (see: Michigan State, Duke, Maryland) Collison willed the Jayhawks to the win over Duke. Hinrich nearly did the same in the win over Arizona. These two players are two of the toughest to keep down in recent memory. Kansas causes matchup problems for Marquette because Collison is so skilled and can find ways to score inside. Marquette did a nice job on Kentucky's interior, but Collison is better than Marquis Estill and Jules Camara around the basket. If Hinrich is on, that means he can make shots from well beyond the 3-point arc, forcing Marquette to spread its defense even further from the basket. The Jayhawks also have Roy Williams, who has been in this position before and has to be more ready to win the title than at any other time in his career. Kansas has been opportunistic and will seize on any slippage by the Eagles. Don't be surprised to see Marquette struggle to stay with the Jayhawks if their break is clicking.
Title Chances: Very good. Marquette has been the surprise so far of the four teams mainly because of the margin of victory against Kentucky. But Kansas seems to be on one of those roles champinoship teams get on at this time of March ... into April. And that would include beating Marquette. Just look at who Kansas had to beat to get here: Duke and Arizona. That's two of the best programs in the sport. Beating Duke and Arizona should almost give a team a pass to the title game.
Player To Watch:Collison. He could go for 33 points or eight. His range of scoring was that wide over the weekend. If he's on his game like he was against Duke then the Eagles will likely lose. He is so driven around the basket and has such a variety of moves that he could pose the toughest challenge to Marquette's inside defense. Collison is as seasoned a senior as any lately because of all his USA basketball commitments. Nothing seems to rattle him.
X Factor: Graves. If Graves can duplicate his 13-point, 15-rebound game against Arizona then the Eagles could be toast. Graves was a load inside against Arizona, gobbling up plenty of second-shot chances and preventing the Wildcats from getting out on their break off a missed shot. Graves would be the difference if he's able to score consistently in the post.
Kansas has 2 seniors that really understand the importance of this moment... They (Collison & Hinrich) do not have illusions of a bright NBA future.. The COLLEGE scene is their stage. THey will make the most of it. The game will be close but my money is on Kansas and the ML....
With some of the crappy players in the NBA...........I see no reason why both of these guys cant achieve in the NBA.
COLLISON WILL BE DRAFTED IN THE FIRST ROUND. YOU CANNOT TEACH HEIGHT. SOMEONE WILL TAKE THE BIG BOY IN THE FIRST ROUND. HELL, NOTHING AGAINST POLLARD, BUT COLLISON IS MORE POLISHED THAN HE IS, AND POLLARD IS GETTING A NICE CHECK IN SAC.
