A capsule summary of the Kansas Jayhawks, who will meet the Marquette Golden Eagles in the NCAA Tournament semifinals Saturday.
Coach: Roy Williams
Record at Kansas: 417-100
Career record: 417-100
Conference: Big 12
2002-03 record: 29-7
Conference Record and Finish: 14-2, 1st
Seed, Region and Bid: 2, West, At-Large
Total NCAA Tournament Bids: 32
NCAA Tournament Record: 69-31 (.690)
Final Four Appearances: 12 (1940, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1971, 1974, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 2002, 2003)
NCAA Tournament Championships: 2 (1952, 1988)
Best NCAA Tournament Finish: National Champion
Record vs. teams in the field: 13-6
Starters:
F -- Jeff Graves (6-9, 275, Jr -- 5.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
F -- Nick Collison (6-9, 255, Sr -- 18.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg)
G -- Keith Langford (6-4, 205, So -- 15.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
G -- Kirk Hinrich (6-3, 190, Sr -- 17.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.5 apg)
G -- Aaron Miles (6-1, 175, So -- 8.9 ppg, 6.5 apg)
Key Reserves:
G -- Michael Lee (6-3, 215, So -- 4.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
F -- Bryant Nash (6-6, 205, Jr -- 3.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
Road to the Final Four:
Defeated (15) Utah State in first round, 64-61
Defeated (10) Arizona State in second round, 108-76
Defeated (3) Duke in regional semifinals, 69-65
Defeated (1) Arizona in regional final, 78-75
Outlook: Kansas has a terrific opportunity to give Coach Roy Williams his elusive national title. The Jayhawks defeated Duke and Arizona even though Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich did not have good games on the same day.
If that happens, Kansas will really be difficult to beat. Despite the fact that the Jayhawks do not possess great depth, there has been no drop-off in their running game in the second half, a credit to their conditioning.
Jeff Graves has been a big key to Kansas' success, a far cry from his early play when he was out of shape and largely a non-factor. Aaron Miles has cut down his turnovers, although he must be a little more aggressive with his shot. Keith Langford has had a pair of rough shooting games, but his athletic ability is a vital part of the Jayhawks' fast break.
The matchup with Marquette should be an excellent one. Langford will probably be matched up with Dwyane Wade and will have his hands full. But Langford will receive help and the assignment may give Bryant Nash more minutes off the bench. While Wade is the main concern, the Jayhawks must also be wary of Marquette's frontcourt of Robert Jackson and Scott Merritt.
Jackson will be guarded by Graves, who must avoid foul trouble and turn in an effort like he did against Arizona. A matchup with Syracuse or Texas in the title game presents difference challenges.
The Longhorns and Jayhawks played one of the season's most entertaining games in Lawrence in January and a 24-point, 23-rebound effort by Collison allowed Kansas to prevail. If Kansas faces Syracuse, the Orangemen's 2-3 zone would put plenty of pressure on the Jayhawks' guards to make good decisions. Kansas has just as good a chance of cutting down the nets on Monday as any of the four teams.
