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2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Keegan

Keegan: Curry a threat to KU

By Tom Keegan

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2007-08 March 28 KU-Nova Hoops

Detroit — All that stands in the way of Kansas University making its first Final Four appearance since 2003 is Davidson College's Stephen Curry, a baby-faced assassin who looks like a pre-teen and plays like the 17-year NBA veteran his father Dell Curry was.

Like his father before him, the son has three shooting ranges: deep, deeper, deepest. His ball fakes and accurate, high-velocity passes also turn heads.

The younger Curry, a sophomore, has been the best player in this NCAA Tournament. For his career, he averages 33.3 points in four NCAA Tournament games.

He's a handful. So was Kevin Durant a year ago. Kansas beat Texas twice with him. So was Michael Beasley this season. KU split a pair of games with K-State.

Nothing about the way Kansas dunked its way to a 72-57 Friday night victory against Villanova in Ford Field gave a hint the Jayhawks are vulnerable to an upset. Of course, given that Davidson has won 25 games in a row, the past two against Georgetown and Wisconsin, no game the Wildcats from North Carolina win can be considered more than a mini-upset.

After running Villanova into the offseason, Kansas already was looking ahead to No. 10 seed in name only Davidson. As for looking past the only team lower than a No. 3 seed to advance to the Elite Eight, not a chance that will happen, not with the first Final Four trip for this group of players at stake.

A crowd of 57,028 watched Friday's games. Davidson's underdog appeal likely will motivate many observers without a horse in the race to turn against Kansas.

Again, the Jayhawks have been there, done that.

"Everybody's going to be rooting against us," sixth man Sherron Collins said. "But we take pride in stuff like that, and we take pride in guarding."

Brandon Rush, in the midst of another productive NCAA Tournament, weighed in on Curry after scoring 16 points against Villanova, including a dunk he threw down after grabbing an errant lob that glanced off the glass.

"I always thought he looked like a little kid, like a 12-year-old kid," Rush said. "And he plays like a grown man. He can get to the lane with ease, and he can get to the free-throw line, too. And (Jason) Richards (13 assists, no turnovers against Wisconsin) is a great point guard, too. We're going to have our hands full."

Collins said the players watched a little of Davidson's rout of Wisconsin until coach Bill Self killed the televisions to ensure the focus remained on the game at hand.

"He's averaging something like 30 in the tournament," Collins said of Curry. "We've got to try to limit that 30 to 20 or 15 and not let the other guys around him get theirs."

Villanova doesn't have a Curry-caliber talent, but advanced to the Sweet 16 based largely on its talented backcourt, led by Scottie Reynolds. He had trouble getting untracked against Kansas, scored 11 points and made four of 13 shots.

"Our whole goal was to cut off the head by taking Scottie Reynolds out of the game," Rush said. "Russell (Robinson) did a great job of that."

A tougher head awaits.

KU Basketball

Comments

KGphoto (anonymous) says...

"Baby faced assassin" Pretty good.

Rush is dead on. Cut off the head of that Wildcat. Could it be any more obvious? If Kansas' four guards can't do it, nobody can. Somebody (Collins) bust that kid in the chops please. Let him know you ain't takin' no crap, from no baby!

March 29, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

cincyHawk79 (anonymous) says...

I have seen Curry play on TV and was impressed but now seeing him in person has really opened my eyes. He is very good with the ball and has a sweet shot but your are right KG. If our guards can't slow him down no-one can.

On a side not Davidson Student fans have to be the worst fans in college basketball.

Also, Ford field is the worst place to watch a bb game and with the final 4 being there next year I would not waste my money to watch the games in person. So far from the court and the lower seats have very little slope that you can hardly see over the people in front of you.

The Hawks looking Good! Go Hawks!

March 29, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

leikness (anonymous) says...

I would love to see KU come out and press them. If Curry is going to the basket I expect him to get absolutely destoyed by Jackson/Arthur/Kaun. Put him on the ground if he even thinks about coming into the lane.

March 29, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

86finalfour (anonymous) says...

I agree about the venue, Ford Field. From the TV, the place looked dead. It looked and felt like the game was played in a hangar!

Being a true college basketball fan, year-round, I found the languid crowd off-putting and I was shocked to see so many seats empty!

I understand that it's a dome but lots of bb games today are played in these large facilities (e.g. Syracuse) and it doesn't seem that bad. Something was very off about that place. That said, more importantly, nothing looked off about the Jayhawks play.

Rock Chalk!!!

March 29, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

Take Davidson seriously and we'll be fine!

March 29, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

1977kufan (anonymous) says...

Tom, you are exactly right. Curry is certainly a threat. From my seat, this "Final Four" entry game is our defense of Curry (we have four guys that can stay with him) vs. can Davidson handle both our inside game and perimeter shooting?! Curry might (???) be able to match our outside scoring, but I strongly doubt that their inside game can match our inside game. It will be really interesting to see what type of defense Coach Self and the team puts on Davidson, maybe a rotating man or maybe a diamond or box and one. The other key item will be how we handle the ball and take of the ball. Curry gets a considerable number of points off the break with wide-open threes. Jayhawks, this is our time. Let's take care of another set of meowcats. Finally, go Cardinals. Dave Padgett pay back time!!! ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS!!!!!

March 29, 2008 at 11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawk_bred20 (anonymous) says...

They run Curry off screen after screen to get him open and Wisconsin was trying to stay with him with just one guy. Big mistake. The difference with KU is we can switch all of those screens because we have 3, maybe even 4 guards that can handle him (I would be hesitant to let Sherron have much time on Curry with the height difference). Curry is unbelievable and I have a lot of respect for him, but he hasn't faced this many defenders that can guard him. It should be a fun one.

March 29, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

basquiat (anonymous) says...

"On a side not Davidson Student fans have to be the worst fans in college basketball."

I'm curious about this...Were they rude or obnoxious?Whats the deal?

March 29, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Rockonku (anonymous) says...

Davidson expects Kansas to be after Curry. What we have to do is not get into this "stop Curry and everything will fine mode." We won't stop him but we can sure slow him down. And thats just the issue slow him down but stay focused on the rest of the team. Many many games have been lost when a team tries to contain one person and loses sight of the rest of the team. We didn't stop Durant but we sure put the brakes on him. No difference.

March 29, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

I was at the game and thought their fans, from a distance, were great. Had breakfast with a bunch of them and they were really gracious and excited to be there.

I'm not sure of the knock.

March 29, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

milehighhawk (anonymous) says...

KGPhoto: Keegan was not the first to describe Curry as a "baby-faced assassin" - a quick google search bears that out.

We're going to be all over Davidson.

March 29, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

I say shut everyone else down completely, and let Curry get his.

Curry cant outscore the entire Jayhawk arsenal single-handedly.

March 29, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kltbadboyz (anonymous) says...

I think Davidson will bring the best out of the Jayhawks and prepare them for the final 4. Hopefully they will speed things up and both teams will trade blows early on. Kansas with its superior defense will close the door in the late first and I think we will win this game by like 12-15.

March 29, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

86finalfour (anonymous) says...

On a side note, I saw this on ESPN.com in an article about coach Williams and Pitino and their coaching success at a tradition rich programs.
____________________________________________

"Williams toyed with his alma mater in 2000 when Bill Guthridge left, but he stayed at Kansas. In 2003, when Williams was a bit miffed with KU's athletic director switch from Bob Frederick to Al Bohl, Williams left for UNC.

It was then the hardest decision of his life. He said that at the time; he still says that now.

At various points of his career, Williams has turned down the Lakers, the Celtics and the Heat, he said on Friday. But coming back to Carolina allowed him to spend time with his father and sister before each passed away recently.

"So for those family things it was really, really good for me, there's no question about that," Williams said. "
____________________________________________

This really puts things in perspective for those Roy haters that don't respect nor understand his decision to leave. He gave 15 great years to KU and the guy not only wanted to return home but his family needed him. Many of you will ask why I'm even bringing this up -- it's old news. But I still know a lot of fans and close friends who still harbor bitter feelings toward Roy (you know who you are--some in the closet). Also, the probable match up of UNC vs. KU next Saturday will conjure up a lot of these old feelings so I want to get this out there now.

As a KU die-hard, I've always respected Roy for what he did for KU and his decision to leave. To those who are still bitter, stop playing the "ugly step-child." KU is just as good as UNC -- we're not inferior to them and that had nothing to do with Roy leaving.

So if KU plays UNC next weekend (and I really hope so!), before some of you start Roy bashing, think about Coach Williams being able to care for his sister and father before they passed. Most can relate to the importance of this, something much greater than the game of basketball, and yes, even the Kansas Jayhawks.

March 29, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

86...

Im glad someone said it. Kudos, bro! As much as I want to squelch Roy bashing, I realize its bound to happen as a potential UNC-Kansas matchup looms ever larger. Batten down the hatches and brace yourself for the storm!

Long live Roy for what he did for KU.

Go KU! In the event that we meet, beat the crap outta UNC!

March 29, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Jason Richards, 13 assists to 0 turnovers. I just had to laugh when I read that. Just ridiculous. It helps when you're passing to Curry, but sweet Jesus. It's not just Curry we need to stop.....

86, I commented on your post (copy and pasted) from the other article, and I don't see a need to repeat myself. So, I will leave it at that.

Rock Chalk.

March 29, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

vmwskywalk (anonymous) says...

86 is a Roy lover. He should go to Carolina.

March 29, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

dumb logic vmwskywalk...

thats like saying astronomists should go to the sun.

March 30, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )