Kansas to play many styles in tournament

Thursday, March 8, 2007

In the NCAA tournament, all sorts of strategies are implemented by coaches trying to catch their opponents off guard.

That’s OK, Kansas will be prepared for it.

The Big 12 Conference gave Kansas a wide variety of teams to play, and Kansas proved that it could play anybody’s style and still win the game. The Big 12 Tournament will pit Kansas against that same variety, but in a single-elimination format on a neutral floor.

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In the final round, Kansas could play Texas, a team focused on one star player. The Longhorns play zone, they are athletic and they like to play fast-paced basketball.

In the second round, Kansas will either play against Iowa State or Oklahoma. Both like to slow the pace of the game down by controlling the shot clock to make up for their lack of athleticism. Many mid-major teams will play this way in the NCAA tournament.

Then Kansas will go against Texas Tech or Kansas State in the third round, unless Colorado shocks the world twice. Texas Tech’s motion offense would be a great test for Kansas’ defense. The Jayhawks won’t run into many that are more efficient than Tech’s. Kansas State, on the other hand, lives and dies by the three-point shot.

In the final round, Kansas could play Texas, a team focused on one star player. The Longhorns play zone, they are athletic and they like to play fast-paced basketball.

Texas A&M could make it. The Aggies play as tough of defense as anyone in the country, and are as well coached as any team in the country. Kansas could use another test from a challenging opponent.

And although it’s not likely, Kansas could play Missouri, Oklahoma State, Nebraska or Baylor.

Missouri will put opponents through 40 minutes of a full-court press. The Tigers play fast on offense too. Oklahoma State is desperate and could make a run. After all the games are in Oklahoma City, which is almost a home game. Oklahoma State or Nebraska would pose similar threats. They each have a challenging low-post player.

And Baylor? Well, I severely doubt the Bears will win even one game. But it’s March, and anybody can beat anybody in March.

Robinett is an Austin, Texas senior in journalism.

—Edited by Lisa Tilson

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