Elite 8 Preview: Kansas (1) vs Villanova (2)

Elite 8 Preview: Kansas (1) vs Villanova (2)

Line: Kansas (-2.5)

Location: KFC Yum Center (Louisville, KY)

Starters:

Villanova

G- Ryan Arcidiacono (Sr)

G- Jalen Brunson (Fr)

G- Josh Hart (Jr)

F- Kris Jenkhins (Jr)

C- Daniel Ochefu (Sr)

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Kansas

G- Frank Mason (Jr)

G- Devonte’ Graham (So)

G- Wayne Seldon (Jr)

F- Perry Ellis (Sr)

F- Landen Lucas (Jr)

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Outlook:

The south reginal final should be an amazing game. Villanova is maybe the hottest team in all of college basketball right now after dismantling Iowa and Miami in consecutive rounds. This team looks great on both ends of the court and will be tough to stop. Kansas is no slouch either though. The Jayhawks were many people’s preseason title pick. This is an experienced and well-rounded team. Frank Mason is a really solid point guard who can run the show well. Devonte’ Graham might be the best spot up three point shooter in all of college basketball. Wayne Seldon is a talented wing who can score from deep or at the rim. Perry Ellis is one of the best players in the country and anchors an extremely talented frontcourt. Kansas also has some great young players off of the bench. Carlton Bragg, Check Diallo, and Svi Mykhailiuk are all talented players who could have an impact if Bill Self decides to play them.

All that being said, Villanova certainly has a chance in this game. Kansas is talented, but Villanova has been supernova on offense. The Wildcats have been incredibly balanced on the offensive end. The scoring is coming from a lot of different players and from a variety of areas on the floor. The star players are hitting their shots and the role players are doing their jobs as well. The defense has also been incredible. Villanova may have given up high shooting percentages against Miami, but the defense was still dominant. Their switching completely disoriented Miami on offense. Miami hit some tough shots, but Villanova was able to force turnovers and make the Canes uncomfortable. The Wildcats also have dominated the glass in the tourney. It has been just an incredible all-around effort by Jay Wright’s team in the tournament and they will need to bring that same game against Kansas to win.

Prediction: Villanova 65, Kansas 64

This will be a really close game and I am really struggling to make a prediction. Kansas is so talented and so deep. Before the tournament, I wouldn’t have given Nova much of a chance in this game but with their recent play, you have to assume that they will be in it. I think the game will come down to the Villanova defense. They have been great in the tournament and I think they might be able to give Kansas some problems. Perry Ellis might be a tough matchup for some of the Wildcats smaller lineups but I think they can contain everyone else. They have the athletes on the wing to contain Seldon and the guards should be able slow down Mason and Graham. Still, Ellis could be a problem. Neither Jenkins nor Hart have the size to effectively play Ellis for long stretches, which could force Jay Wright to play Darryl Reynolds and Ochefu together more. That would certainly slow down the Nova offense. However, Villanova has been playing so well that I think they can persevere through some of those issues. This one is a real toss up, but I am picking the Wildcats to advance to their second final 4 under Jay Wright.