South Region Elite Eight Game Breakdown
After all the dust has settled, the South Region has shaken out with the No. 1 and 2 seeds still standing. These were the two best teams in the region going in, and they will now duke it out for South supremacy.
The Terps of Maryland hung tough with the Jayhawks for a half, but ultimately Perry Ellis took over. The senior was sensational in the second half. He finished with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting. At the beginning of the second half, Kansas could not miss. Eventually, they found themselves with a nine-point cushion and just kept their feet on the gas pedal. When the Jayhawks have four guys playing at a high level and contributing points like they did in the Sweet Sixteen, it will difficult for any opponent to beat them.
Villanova was even more dominant than Kansas was in their victory over Miami. They never trailed in a game they won 92-69. Their two star players scored 21 points apiece. Ryan Arcidiacono and Kris Jenkins were on fire. Combined, they only missed 6-of-21 shots. Villanova found open lanes and open shots all afternoon. Miami is an older team with some skilled big men, but they were confused and flustered by Villanova all game. It is difficult to beat a team that made two out of every three perimeter shots like the Wildcats did. Villanova has certainly unburdened itself from the “early exit curse” from the NCAA Tournament.
This game between Villanova and Kansas should be a high scoring affair. These are two of the best three-point shooting teams in the country in terms of efficiency. Both are good on the defensive end too, but do not expect either team to be held under 70 points. The stars have started to come alive for each team, which should lead to some elite level college basketball in the regional. The key will be rebounding. Kansas dominated the glass against Maryland. Villanova will have to earn their share of rebounds and keep the Jayhawks off the offensive class. Transition defense will also be important. Both teams are athletic and can run. Whichever team can mitigate fast-break damage will have a great shot to win. Kansas looks like the better, more complete team, but this is the best Villanova team Jay Wright has had in a while. What better way to determine a Final Four bid than with these two teams going head-to-head?
