So much for that rebuilding year, huh? Kansas exceeded everyone's expectations this season by going 27-6 overall and 16-2 in the Big 12 and clinching the regular season conference title. Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson, Jeff Withey — and of course your potential National Player of the Year and all around behemoth Thomas Robinson — proved that there is no such thing as a down year for Bill Self.
Kansas has a bad track record with falling to mid-majors in the Tourney (see: Bucknell, Bradley, Northern Iowa, VCU), but Jayhawk fans shouldn't be too worried this year. Detroit, who nabbed the Horizon League title and earned an automatic bid, is no Butler.
The Titans went 22-13 overall and 11-7 in conference play. They have some solid talent, including sophomore guard Ray McCallum, Jr. (15.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, and 3.9 apg) who is the coach's son and who Bill Self tried to recruit. But the Titans are weak on defense. Expect to see Robinson and Taylor go to town.
According to the New York Times, the best reason to watch the game is Doug Anderson, Detroit's 6'6'' dunking machine. But Anderson and McCallum shouldn't be enough to stop the Jayhawks from sailing on to the next round.
The game is at the very precise time of 8:57 CST and airs on TruTV. The winner will face either (7) St. Mary's or (10) Purdue.
Loading comments...