NEW ORLEANS -- The immediate reaction to Kentucky's 67-59 national championship win over Kansas: Overview: Kentucky fans, breathe easy. The coronation is complete. We expected a coronation, and that's exactly how much of this game went.
NEW ORLEANS -- Iowa State and Baylor have played each of the participants in Monday night’s NCAA championship game between Kentucky and Kansas. Here is a breakdown of each team by the head coach of each program as well as a player.
NEW ORLEANS -- On Sunday, Bill Self came right out and admitted it: When he first saw the 2012 NCAA tournament bracket, he dreamed of Monday night. "I dreamed about it as soon as I saw the brackets," Self said.
NEW ORLEANS -- Kentucky and Kansas are the two winningest programs in college basketball. They are also two of the most similar, at least since John Calipari and Bill Self took over at the respective schools.
New Orleans -- Tyshawn Taylor sympathized with Kansas’ supporters Sunday. The Jayhawks, he said, haven’t intentionally induced panic and meltdowns among their fan base via their dramatic NCAA tournament wins.
NEW ORLEANS -- Back in October, we said we'd get a colossal Final Four. When the brackets were released, we forecast a chalky March. When the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight finished in thrilling fashion and the final weekend of the NCAA tournament's marquee event took shape, we knew, after two years of unexpected mid-major incursion, we'd get back to the blueblood basics on the grand Superdome stage.
NEW ORLEANS -- Back in December, after Ohio State held Jared Sullinger out of a 78-67 loss at Kansas because of back spasms, coach Thad Matta joked that he’d given the Jayhawks an early Christmas present.
By Saturday, John Calipari, Rick Pitino, Thad Matta and Bill Self will have had nearly a week to scout their opponents. As we type, they're breaking down film, analyzing their opponents' strengths and weaknesses and searching for ways to impart this knowledge to their players in simple, digestible form.
The Kansas Jayhawks will make their 14th Final Four appearance when they take on Ohio State on Saturday. It's the fifth-most appearances in NCAA tournament history. Here are five things to watch for Kansas this weekend: THE STAR National player of the year candidate Thomas Robinson has been the steady hand guiding Kansas during the tournament.
Editor's note: Ohio State and Kansas are readying for just the second meeting of 2-seeds since seeding began in 1979. Before they get started, Eamonn Brennan and Myron Medcalf discuss the matchup between the Buckeyes and Jayhawks.
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