Kansas will make the Final Four

By Kevin Prendergast
Collegian Staff
March 19, 2008

The Midwest bracket looks to be a must-see as NCAA Tournament play kicks off this weekend. The bracket’s top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks (31-3) are the clear favorite to advance to San Antonio.

The Jayhawks boast four All-Big 12 performers, all of whom average double-digits in points. Not to mention, they have the Big 12’s Sixth Man of the Year, Sophomore Sherron Collins, coming off of their already deep bench. Kansas averages 81.5 points per game as a team and just brings relentless offensive firepower from start to finish.

Still, the depth of this bracket cannot be overlooked. The second seed, Georgetown (27-5), looks to be a legitimate contender. The Hoyas have arguably the best team defense in the NCAA, averaging an anemic 58.0 points against per game. Led by 7’2” senior Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas bring an experienced team to the tournament, many of whom played for last year’s Final Four team. These two powerhouses seem to be far and away the class of the Midwest bracket.

However, there are two teams in particular which may make respective pushes for the Midwest crown. Clemson is just off of an 86-81 loss to number-one ranked North Carolina in Sunday’s ACC Tournament Championship game. Clemson made quite a run in the ACC Tournament, knocking off number two seeded Duke in the process. They seem to be peaking at quite the right time. And, despite coming up short in the championship game, they made quite a statement against the seemingly consensus number one Tar Heels. Led by Junior K.C. Rivers, fifth-seeded Clemson seems prepared to make its run beginning this weekend against a Big Five representative, Villanova.

Last, but certainly not least, is a lower-ranked team that certainly should not be overlooked. The eleven seed, Kansas State, certainly has the firepower to knock off the best on any given night. Just ask top-seeded Kansas. On Jan. 30, Kansas State upset Kansas by a rather wide margin, 84-75. The Wildcats are led by freshman sensation Michael Beasley. Beasley, the Big 12 Rookie and Player of the Year, the All-American and a leading candidate for the Naismith Trophy for the nation’s most outstanding player, can take over any game and gives Kansas State the chance to win against almost any opponent. Kansas State’s opening round game against another outstanding freshman, O.J. Mayo, and number six USC looks to be a game to watch this weekend.

Certainly there are a number of contenders in this bracket, all of whom will make this tournament very entertaining. Still, it looks as if the committee was right. Kansas looks to be the team that will make it to San Antonio. Top to bottom, they are just way too deep and can score points sometimes at will. Look for the Jayhawks to make it to San Antonio with their place in the Final Four.

prendergastk1@lasalle.edu