Final, KU wins 72-57
DETROIT, Mich. – While the Regional’s other favorite – Wisconsin – struggled, struggled and finally met its doom, Kansas University’s Friday evening at Detroit’s Ford Field couldn’t have been any more the opposite.
It was over before it started almost, as Villanova was unable to dictate the tempo like it wanted to early and was run off the stage practically before halftime, as KU advanced to the Elite Eight for the second straight year with a 72-57 win over Villanova. It’s KU’s third trip to the Final Four’s doorstep in five seasons under Bill Self.
The Jayhawks will meet 10th-seeded Davidson, who knocked off No. 3 Wisconsin in the night’s first game, 73-56, behind 33 points from sophomore sensation Stephen Curry.
Tip-time for that game will be 4:05 p.m. (CDT).
The Jayhawks overwhelmed the Wildcats early on the defensive end, taking leading scorer Scottie Reynolds out of the flow offensively for much of the night. Russell Robinson was largely responsible for the defense on the ‘Nova sophomore star, and Robinson also got the game’s scoring started in fiery fashion. He hit three three-pointers early on in the first half, helping pace KU to a 41-22 halftime lead.
Robinson had 15 points for the Jayhawks – 13 of which came before halftime. Brandon Rush also started hot for the Jayhawks and ultimately knocked home a team-high 16, while Mario Chalmers was the only other Jayhawk in double figures with 14, including a personal 8-0 run in the first half after Villanova had closed to within single digits.
For more on this story, including full postgame coverage and looks ahead to Sunday’s Elite Eight showdown, log back onto KUSports.com and read Saturday’s Journal-World.
11:38, second half, KU leads 53-34
DETROIT, Mich. – Scottie Reynolds’ first non-three-point bucket came right out of the timeout, closing KU’s lead down to 16 points on the ‘Cats. After ‘Nova failed to claw closer on two attempts, Darrell Arthur spun towards the bucket on the baseline and threw home his third dunk of the night, giving him seix points. Dante Cunningham then dropped in two for ‘Nova for his first points of the half.
Arthur then got to the free throw line and dropped in one more, splitting a pair to push KU ahead 51-34.
Sasha Kaun extended the lead even further, throwing hom another lobbed toss from Russell Robinson, and that took KU into a full timeout at 11:38 with a comfortable 19-point edge.
15:48, second half, KU leads 48-30
DETROIT, Mich. – Darnell Jackson scored the first two points out of the half, and Brandon Rush then responded with a three to a Shane Clark two, giving him 14 points on the night with just over 17 minutes to play. It also boosted the Jayhawk lead to 20 points at 46-26.
Darrell Arthur then threw down a lobbed toss from Sherron Collins with a Villanova defender on his back to follow a pair of Wildcat free throws.
Dwayne Anderson was fouled on a fast break by Collins off a steal, taking the game into the first full break of the second half with KU ahead by 18.
Halftime, KU leads 41-22
DETROIT, Mich. – Jeremy Case lit off a three-point bomb just before the half after Villanova spoiled a couple of prime scoring opportunities, sending the Jayhawks into the locker room with a 41-22 lead and plenty of momentum.
Russell Robinson led all scorers with 13 points in the first half, hitting his first four shots of the game – three of which were from deep. Brandon Rush scored nine for KU, while Mario Chalmers added eight, all in a row after Villanova closed to within eight points.
2:39, first half, KU leads 38-21
DETROIT, Mich. – Reggie Redding hit a free throw moments after a Dante Cunningham make in the interior pulled Villanova back to within single digits of the Jayhawks, aided by a continuing slew of KU turnovers after a solid start to the game offensively.
Brandon Rush answered for KU after missing a three-pointer in the corner. He hustled to finish the possession with an up-and-under layup in traffic. Sasha Kaun then swatted away an Antonio Peña offering, and Mario Chalmers dusted a three on the other end to pump KU’s lead back up to 12 points at 33-21.
Chalmers then put away another one off a Scottie Reynolds miss in transition, forcing ‘Nova into another timeout with 3:45 to go in the half, KU now up 36-21.
Out of the timeout, Cole Aldrich grabbed a monstrous defensive board, and in transition, Chalmers’ personal offensive run continued with a short floater. A charge on Brandon Rush took the game to a full break at 2:39 with KU ahead by 17.
7:49, first half, KU leads 28-18
DETROIT, Mich. – Darrell Arthur smashed home an alley oop slam off the inbounds pass out of the timeout, keeping the momentum in the Jayhawks’ corner and giving the sophomore his first points.
Scottie Reynolds responded with his first points of the game coming off a three-pointer on the right wing, cutting KU’s lead to a still-comfortable 13 points. Brandon Rush then came right back with two from just inside of three-point range, giving him nine points so far. Reynolds then cashed another deep ball.
Shane Clark then tipped in a Scottie Reynolds miss after a foul was called on a loose ball scramble against Sasha Kaun, making it 28-18.
Russell Robinson turned it over again for KU, leading to another TV timeout with KU still ahead by 10.
11:21, first half, KU leads 24-10
DETROIT, Mich. – Dwayne Anderson scored his second bucket of the game inside out of the timeout, during which Sherron Collins checked into the game for KU.
Russell Robinson came back to hit his second three of the game, putting KU ahead 14-8.
Brandon Rush then extended the lead to nine points with his first three-pointer of the game atop the key after a travel call against ‘Nova. Russell Robinson then took a full-court feed from Sherron Collins off another turnover for two off a goaltending call, putting KU ahead 19-8.
Shane Clark finally answered back for the ‘Cats on a two from the baseline from Scottie Reynolds, but the Jayhawks slugged right back with a slam by Sasha Kaun off an alley-oop pass from Darnell Jackson.
Robinson, continuing to feel it, nailed another three for KU, giving him 13 of the Jayhawks’ first 24 points and forcing Jay Wright into a full timeout.
15:51, first half, KU leads 11-6
DETROIT, Mich. – Dwayne Anderson controlled the game’s opening tip for Villanova. Off a screen, Scottie Reynolds was badly short on a three from the right wing, but off an inside deflection, ‘Nova kept possession. Reynolds missed again, but Brandon Rush missed a three on the other end, making both teams’ opening possessions empty.
Dante Cunningham opened the scoring with a driving two on the other end from in close. Russell Robinson came back and cashed a three from the left wing to put KU ahead 3-2.
Antonio Peña was then fouled on the other end following up a pair of Wildcat misses. He was hacked by Darrell Arthur, swished both charities and put ‘Nova back on top. Darnell Jackson swung the early lead yet again back in KU’s favor off a lobbed feed from Mario Chlamers. Dwayne Anderson then answered back off a ‘Nova miss.
The scoring kept up, with Brandon Rush driving inside for two from straight on off the glass. Rush then scored off a lob from Russell Robinson in transition to put KU ahead 9-6 three minutes in.
Russell Robinson then drew a foul in the lane off a botched Villanova fast break opportunity, hit two free throws and pushed the Jayhawk lead to 11-6.
Scottie Reynolds tried to answer with his first bucket of the game, but he was short inside. The two teams then swapped turnovers before the game went to its first full break at the 15:51 mark.
Pregame
DETROIT, Mich. – Many people felt 12th-seeded Villanova did Kansas University a favor by knocking off No. 5 Clemson in first round action in the Midwest bracket last week. Now, after a second round win over Siena, the Wildcats get their shot at the Regional’s top seeded Jayhawks.
KU has history to defend, as a No. 12 seed has never defeated a one-seed in NCAA Tournament play.
For Kansas, all eyes defensively will be focused on Villanova sophomore Scottie Reynolds, who leads the ‘Cats in scoring, putting away 16.0 per game. He got some unexpected help last Sunday against Siena which he could certainly use tonight. Freshman guard Corey Stokes scored a career-high 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, well above his 6.4 season scoring average.
Where ‘Nova could really be exposed by the much deeper Jayhawks is inside. KU has several big bodies to throw the other way, while Villanova must rely solely on Antonio Peña and Dante Cunningham after Caseim Drummond was lost earlier this week to a season-ending ankle injury.
Stay tuned to KUSports.com for updates at each TV timeout.
