Kansas Villanova Live Coverage

Kansas Villanova Live Play-by-Play Coverage

• Commentary in ITALICS

FINAL

• Dean: Look, Villanova wasn't even supposed to be here, they were a 12-seed against a #1. And this #1, if they play like this (or even remotely like this) against Davidson, they'll coast into the Final Four and likely go on to win the whole thing. Of course as this is being written Memphis is annihilating Michigan State, and North Carolina is playing wonderful basketball as well. But if you're reading this because you didn't get to see this game, I will echo what the announcers said a number of times—the Kansas Jayhawks looked like they could have beaten about half the NBA here tonight. They could do just about anything they wanted, on offense and defense. If Davidson beats them it'll be bigger than Appalachian State beating Michigan.

SECOND HALF

• 0:00: Both teams were able to clear the benches and let most everyone play in a Sweet 16 matchup, which is nice to see.
• 0:18: Nova gets a last jump shot to go down.
• 0:36: Kansas fans booing Nova for fouling, down 14.
• 1:02: TIMEOUT: Nova got a bucket and a quick T.O. Too little too late, but they have nothing to be ashamed of tonight.
• Dean: Players of the game: Dante Cunningham for Villanova, Brandon Rush for Kansas.
• 1:30: Nova swarming around on defense, not giving up, but KU waits and finally goes to the hoop and gets fouled.
• 2:30: Reynolds to the line after scoring. Swoosh.
• 3:41: TIMEOUT: Announcers are calling it a 'perfect' game turned in by the Jayhawks; 16 turnovers is a little high, but in every other area I'd have to agree with them.
• 4:13: Anderson gets one for Nova.
• 4:57: Redding gets a nice bucket for the Cats. That's his first.
• Dean: Villanova is not laying down, they're fouling KU hard when they have to. Robinson is actually bleeding a little bit.
• 5:49: Collins knocks another down for Kansas.
• 6:33: Kaun got nailed again on the way to the basket...but the 'Cat who got him, Pena, was the one to hit the deck...hard.
• 6:59: Kaun converts a three-point play the old-fashioned way...
• 7:10: Fisher got a nice jump shot to fall.
• 7:27: KU getting a little showoff-y, they tried to get another alley-oop to Kaun. But— he was fouled and makes one of two.
• 7:36: TIMEOUT: 15 turnovers total for KU. Villanova leads in steals (by one), but that's the only stat where they're even close.
• 8:07: KU's Kaun gets bumped for a foul. If there's one thing negative happening for Kansas, it's that they're letting up a bit, getting sloppy and committing turnovers.
• Dean: Bill Self got himself a stool so he can sit up top the coaches' box and watch from on-high.
• 10:03: TIMEOUT: Cheer up Nova fans, Michigan State's getting blown out by 25.
• 10:12: The Cats' Clark gets a shot blocked by Kaun, but gets the board and gets it in the basket.
• 11:00: Fisher wills one in for Nova.
• 11:20: Everything going KU's way, Collins gets a roll.
• 11:38: TIMEOUT: I don't know when I've seen so many alley-oops. And they're all monsters.
• 12:14: Kaun gets his nasty, ultra-high alley-oop. Wow.
• Dean: Coach Wright not giving up yet, but he looks frustrated...
• 13:17: Cunningham with a nice little hook shot for Nova.
• 13:50: Arthur gets his third power dunk; dunks have accounted for all of his six points.
• 14:30: KU getting a little cold, missing from long and short distance...
• 15:36: Reynolds looking like his old self for Nova with a nice move to the hoop.
• 15:48: TIMEOUT: Villanova's getting a few things to work, but it's still an 18-point spread. They have four players leading the scoring with six points.
• 16:30: KU's Arthur with another mean-looking slam.
• 16:47: Nova seems to be more aggressive than in the first half...8
• 17:46: Villanova gets a hard-fought-for deuce and then Kansas responds with a three...tough.
• 18:52: Stokes on the board for the Cats, now...
• 19:00: Jackson gets one for KU.

HALFTIME

• Dean: Well, after having seen Kansas' last game against UNLV, I'd have to say that they look even more dominant this time out. What is anyone going to do against a team so deep and so powerful in every respect of the game? The Jayhawks have played just under 10 guys so far, and again, the leading scorer is Rush with 14, Robinson's right behind him with 13, and Chalmers is on their heels; the balance is ridiculous. Nova's Reynolds started cold with his first four shots missed, and he has just six points at the half. What jumped out about the Wildcats was how many of their shots seemed to not just fall short, but well short—like they just played their quarterfinal game earlier in the day. But even if they were on their game, with the clinic that Kansas put on in the first few minutes (multiple threes, at least three nasty alley-oops), it would be hard for any team in this tournament not to get discouraged.

FIRST HALF

• 0:05: One more three from KU's Rush for good measure to end the half.
• 0:24: Nova travels. KU's getting a little sloppy but so is Nova.
• 1:09: TIMEOUT: Villanova won't be able to come back...well, for a lot of reasons, probably, but especially if they can't make their foul shots and don't start to get some scoring going.
• 1:17: Couple fouls against Kansas have slowed the action. Nova missing foul shots.
• 2:39: TIMEOUT: It's going to be another game where multiple Jayhawks hit double figures in another balanced effort: Rush and Robinson are already there, Chalmers is close. Their shooting from the floor has been diminished to an appalling 68%...
• 3:17: Chalmers is the hot 'Hawk right now, he gets another basket.
• 3:45: TIMEOUT: Chalmers just got another three. Just when Nova thinks they've stopped the momentum of the Jayhawks, another run starts up.
• 4:20: Chalmers gets a three for KU
• 5:02: Rush stuck with it and stuck it in for KU, he's got 11.
• 6:24: KU's Collins with an offensive foul. Momentum is turning ever so slightly, it's only a 7-point game.
• 7:26: Cunningham's not intimidated, he muscles in for the score for the Cats
• 7:49: TIMEOUT: Nova's stopped the bleeding somewhat, with their star Scottie Reynolds getting a couple shots to fall, finally. However, KU's shooting (ahem) 73% from the floor.
• 8:21: Clark gets a tip-in for Nova after a second and a third chance; offensive boards are a good sign they might be gaining confidence
• 9:25: Reynolds again with a three, maybe he'll start to get hot after a very slow start.
• 10:10: Reynolds gets his first to go for Nova
• 11:16: Another near-violent alley-oop by Arthur, assist from Chalmers
• Dean: Memphis has doubled up Sparty in Houston.
• 11:21: TIMEOUT: Kansas currently on a 19-4 run. They just got their fourth steal and Nova had no choice but to foul. It's getting ugly early, but hey, Western Kentucky almost came back on UCLA yesterday...
• 11:42: TIMEOUT: Very similar to the KU/UNLV game in that the Wildcats are trying some good things, the Miami Heat couldn't beat these guys tonight. Robinson's already got 13 for Kansas.
• 11:42: Robinson again with the three!
• 13:08: Kaun gets a dunk for Kansas
• 13:20: Clark with a Nova jumper
• 13:42: Robinson gets a layup for KU; he and Rush are the studs so far for the Jayhawks
• 14:06: Rush gets a three also. Announcer says KU looks like a pro team out there...I agree!
• 14:55: Robinson gets a three to fall for KU
• 15:24: Anderson for Nova finds a way to get one in over two very tall and determined defenders
• Dean: Michigan State and Memphis just started in Houston, Spartans get a quick bucket...
• 15:51: TIMEOUT: Nova looks a little stiff, they've had some turnovers and they don't look like they need to put more leg into their shots, they're only 2-10 so far, with many falling way short.
• 17:10: Alley oop of the tourney, off the backboard, Robinson to Rush for KU!
• 17:45: KU's Rush banks one in after the Cats got a bucket
• 18:18: Oof! Slam dunk for KU
• 18:50: Robinson gets the Jayhawks' 1st points
• 19:10: Cunningham gets Nova on the board first with a jumper
• Cats win the tip!

Kansas Villanova Bracket

How They Got Here

• #1 Kansas:
  • First Round: Defeated #16 Portland State 85-61
  • Second Round: Defeated #8 UNLV 75-56
• #12 Villanova:
  • First Round: Defeated #5 Clemson 75-69
  • Second Round: Defeated #13 Siena 84-72

2008 Midwest Region Bracket

• All games airing on CBS

Kansas Villanova Pre-Game Analysis

• Even though North Carolina has scored in double figures both games of the tournament, the team most experts agree has been near perfect in the first two rounds has been the Jayhawks. They are as balanced a team as you will find left in the field, and their performance thus far, combined with that of Texas, has redeemed the Big 12 in this tournament.

• The combination of Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers have been difficult for opponents to handle, and the emergence of Sherron Collins, back from injury, has enabled Rock Chalk Jayhawk to be chanted by the Kansas faithful early and often. For Villanova to have a chance, they will need more than just superior play by Scottie Reynolds. He has been one of the five best players in the entire tournament thus far, and his ability to distribute the ball and get his own shot have allowed the Wildcats to advance this far. Now some of the other players for Villanova must answer the bell at the offensive end.

• Head Coach Jay Wright doesn't need to worry about the Wildcats defensive effort, though, as Villanova limited both Clemson and Siena to under 39% shooting from the floor. Also, the Wildcats are a much better free throw shooting team, which may become important in crunch time. Center Casiem Drummond broke his ankle in the win over Siena and is out for the rest of the tournament, which could be a potentially devastating blow to the Wildcats chances.

Kansas Villanova Live Coverage News

• SI.com: "Villanova loses center for rest of tournament" (March 24, 2008)
• Kansas City Star: "Jayhawks see big results playing small" (March 25, 2008)
• Detroit Free Press: "Villanova: We're no Cinderella" (March 25, 2008)
• Topix.net: Kansas Villanova Live Coverage
• Google News: Kansas Villanova Live Coverage

Kansas Villanova Live Coverage Blogs and Commentaries

• Sporting News: "Kansas Villanova Preview" (March 24, 2008)
• Google Blog Search: Kansas Villanova Live Coverage

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