“They don’t have an answer for Jared Sullinger down low in the post. … I think Kansas is also going to have problems with the matchup with DeShaun Thomas.”
Hubert Davis
“Couldn’t believe Davis and Bilas on Sportscenter tonight. They said nobody on KU could handle Sullinger! Are they joking! Withey will swat!”
@TomPenders
PREDICTION: OHIO STATE 69, KANSAS 65
Jon Rothstein CBS
Ohio State
Jay Bilas
Ohio State
Dick Vitale
Ohio State is a slight betting favorite, the first time in the NCAA Tournament that Kansas has been an underdog. After a late season wobble in which the Buckeyes lost three of five, they got their act together and have won eight of nine, losing only to Michigan State in the Big Ten tourney finale. This Jayhawks’ Final Four run seems improbable if only the offensive numbers are considered: KU is shooting 40.6 percent and a horrid 23.5 percent on threes. But Kansas is playing excellent defense and coming up with all the clutch plays. That will happen again.
Prediction: Kansas 71-68
KC Star
New Orleans Live Webcams
New Orleans bound to see Kansas in the Final 4
@AndrewWhite_34
Headed to NOLA...
@b_greene14
Emory University was a blast last night! Thanks to everyone who came out for the show! Going to New Orleans for the Final Four! #RCJHGOKU!
@RobRiggle
KC Star photos: KU practice
LJW: Gameday Cram Session
On Friday afternoon, Self and Brown stood on the court at the Superdome as the Jayhawks held their open practice. Earlier in the day, Kentucky coach John Calipari, another former Brown protégé, had stood on the same floor. Down on the baseline, members of the KU pep band were clustered together, taking a break from their instruments. But up on the floor, the Jayhawks were playing in the perfect key.
“You know, I love John Calipari and I brag about him a lot,” says Brown, who along with Self is one of the two living coaches to win an NCAA title at KU, “… and I’m excited about what he’s doing at Kentucky; I just marvel at it.
“But I see what Bill is doing at Kansas, it’s amazing to me. To win eight straight (Big 12) championships, to respect the tradition at the university, to make sure everybody is part of it, from the old guys to the new guys, and then to see what he’s done this year, after losing six really, really quality players; I don’t think anybody could’ve foreseen this.”
KC Star
Intriguing as the players and teams may be, no one in college basketball demands attention quite like the coaches. The media-savvy Self, who has won more games than any coach in America since arriving at KU nine years ago, walked into the Superdome alongside mentor and Hall of Famer Larry Brown.
…Self gave his players Wednesday night off to walk the streets and soak in the atmosphere. As focused as he wants them to be, Self also wants the Jayhawks to remember the experience.
ESPN
The Atlantic: Bill Self is the Bill Belichick of college sports
The Atlantic: Final Four 2012 - Triumph of college basketball's one percent
SI Luke Winn: Leveraging Lineups - KU's key combos
San Diego Tribune: Withey rises to the occasion
San Diego Tribune: Young believes he made right choice
SI: Taylor leads Kansas into Final Four
SI Mandel: Confident Taylor holds key to KU hopes
TCJ: Taylor's earned right to play through miscues
NY Times feature by UDK writer: The view from Kansas; Toughness and Energy
LJW: Tyler Self saw success coming
Bucyrus Telegraph: Robinson perfect example for OSU's Thomas
Yahoo!: Welcome to 'the other game'
CBS: The view from the $180 seats
NOLA: Withey elevates his game
Sporting News: Preview