Kansas - Ohio State: Prediction, Preview, and Betting Odds for the Final Four Game
While the Kentucky-Louisville game has been receiving a great deal of attention, perhaps the more intriguing game is the late Final Four match up, when two No. 2 seeds battle as the Kansas Jayhawks (31-6) face the Ohio State Buckeyes (31-7) in New Orleans.
Ohio State are trying to win their first title since 1960 after coming up in short in the 2007 Final. Kansas, one of the most storied programs in college basketball, are looking for their second title under head coach Bill Self. and their fourth overall.
While Anthony Davis of Kentucky won the AP Player of the Year award, the Kansas - Ohio State game boasts two college basketball superstars. Jared Sullinger, of the Buckeyes, and Thomas Robinson, of the Jayhawks. Both power forwards are about the same height and are capable of dominating a game. Their head-to-head matchup will be the most prominent duel of the weekend.
Sullinger is averaging 17.6 points per game on 53.1 percent shooting from the field, and 76.8 percent from the free-throw line, while grabbing 9.1 rebounds per game. Robinson is averaging 17.7 points per game on 51.2 percent shooting from the field and 68.1 percent from the free-throw line, to go along with 11.8 rebound average.
After back-to-back tight wins, the Jayhawks were able to defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels in convincing fashion. Without Kendall Marshall, Kansas was able to dominate a Tar Heels squad that sometimes appeared lost in a half-court set.
Tyshawn Taylor took advantage of the mismatch at point guard, and scored 22 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Prior to the North Carolina game, Taylor had struggled. He hit just six of his previous 25 shots against Purdue and North Carolina State.
Self will need Taylor to be on his game against Ohio State. Other players that Self will need to step up include center Jeff Whitey, who has been inconsistent this season, as well as junior guard Elijah Johnson, who had a poor shooting performance against the Tar Heels.
Like Kansas, Ohio State has more than just Sullinger. Thad Matta's squad includes sophomore forward Deshaun Thomas, who is averaging 16.1 points per game this season, and has excelled in the tournament. Thomas has shot 52.2 percent from the field in four tournament games, and averaged 21.8 points per game.
It's been a rather easy tournament for Ohio State. No tournament opponent has come within six points of defeating the Buckeyes.
BETTING ODDS: Ohio State is favored by 2.5 points
PREDICTION: The Buckeyes will come out firing. Ohio State have a pair of players due for better performances: Aaron Craft and William Buford. Kansas, however, have a disciplined offense that is capable of controlling the tempo, and a defense that will be intent on preventing the Buckeyes from getting quality shots. Expect this to be a tight game, but for Ohio State to hit the big shots at the end. This game has the makings of a classic.
PREDICTED SCORE: Ohio State over Kansas, 77-76
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