POINT GUARD
Maryland’s Steve Blake vs Kansas’ Aaron Miles
Blake is the most underappreciated point guard in the country. At least he was until sinking that 3 with 25 left against UConn in the East Region final. Blake, a junior, already is Maryland’s career assist leader. Miles is great defensive player, having held Frank Williams of Illinois and Oregon’s Luke Ridnour to 9-of-31 shooting. But Miles is a freshman.
EDGE MARYLAND
*
SHOOTING GUARD
Maryland’s Juan Dixon vs Kansas’ Jeff Boschee
Boschee is the Big XII’s most prolific 3-point shooter and he’s drained 12-of-24 in this tournament. But he’s a spot-up shooter who can’t get his shot off his dribble. Pound for pound, the 163-pound Dixon is the toughest player in the tournament. The ACC Player of the Year has been deadly in the tournament 26-of-51 on field goals, 12-of-23 on 3’s, 13-of-14 from the line.
EDGE MARYLAND
*
SMALL FORWARD
Maryland’s Byron Mouton vs Kansas’ Kirk Hinrich
This could be the matchup that decides the game. Hinrich is more guard than forward. He leads the Jayhawks in assists. The offense goes through him. Mouton has subjugated his offensive game to be the Terps’ defensive stopper. He couldn’t stop UConn’s Caron Butler (32 points), but Hinrich is no Butler and Mouton is capable of a big game.
EDGE KANSAS
*
POWER FORWARD
Maryland’s Chris Wilcox vs Kansas’ Nick Collison
Wilcox is the most athletically gifted player on either team but the junior can be inconsistent. Collison runs the floor as well as any power forward. Wilcox can’t lose track of him. Collison is averaging a double-double (14.5 points, 11.5 rebounds) in the tournament. Foul trouble could play a factor here.
EDGE KANSAS
*
CENTER
Maryland’s Lonny Baxter vs Kansas’ Drew Gooden
Both are power forwards playing center. Gooden has a height and agility advantage at 6-10, 230. Baxter has a strength edge (6-8, 260) and he’s more effective against taller players, where his first step and power drive players like Gooden nuts. Baxter (29 points, nine rebounds) was named Most Outstanding Player in the East Region. Gooden (18 points, 20 boards) won honors in the Midwest.
EDGE KANSAS
*
BENCHES
Maryland has its biggest edge here. Hempstead’s Drew Nicholas gives the Terps a backup for Blake and Dixon. New Jersey’s Tahj Holden and Ryan Randle provide muscle up front. Kansas freshman Keith Langford broke out with 20 points against Oregon and Wayne Simien will bang up front.
EDGE MARYLAND
*
COACHING
Maryland’s Gary Williams vs Kansas’ Roy Williams.
Both are surefire Hall of Famers but if Roy Williams is as good as his record (388-92), Why did he fail to reach the Final Four three times (1995, 97, 98) as a No. 1 seed? Gary Williams has taken three programs to the Big Dance (Boston College, Ohio State, Maryland). He coached a great game against UConn.
EDGE MARYLAND
*
PREDICTION Maryland 85, Kansas 82
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STATS A FACT
KU – UM
Record 33-3 – 30-4
Avg. Pts. 91.0 – 85.3
Opp. Avg. Pts. 74.1 – 70.9
Margin 16.9 – 14.4
FG Pct. .508 – .484
Opp. FG Pct. .400 – .400
3-Pt. FG Pct. .419 – .378
Opp. 3-Pt. FG Pct. .361 – .310
3-Pt. FG-Game 6.0 – 6.1
Opp. 3-Pt. FG-Game 7.6 – 6.1
FT Pct. .720 – .725
Opp. FT Pct. .683 – .685
Rebound Margin 8.9 – 3.7
TO Diff. 0.7 – 1.7
Avg Steals 9.8 – 8.3
Avg Blocks 5.8 – 5.9
Streak W4 – W4
