Final Four — Kansas

KANSAS
Jayhawks

2007-08 Record: 35–3 (13–3 Big 12)

Head Coach: Bill Self (1st Final Four)

Prior to this year, Self, a former player at Oklahoma State, led Tulsa (2000), Illinois (2001) and Kansas (2004, 2007) to the Elite Eight — joining Rick Pitino as the only active coaches to lead three schools so far in the NCAA Tournament. Unlike Pitino, however, Self had not been to the Final Four or won a national championship. This year, Self is making his highly anticipated Final Four debut and hopes to take the title back to Lawrence with him.

Star: Brandon Rush, Junior, Guard/Forward

Rush struggled against Davidson, scoring 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting. The Jayhawks leading scorer (13.1 ppg) is a reluctant star, but will need to become more aggressive in order for Kansas to advance past North Carolina. KU is one of the few teams that can match UNC’s talent and keep up with its relentless pace throughout the game. But when the clock is winding down, someone will have to step up and match (if not stop) proven Carolina hero Tyler Hansbrough. Coach Self would like for Rush to take hold of that late game role and there is no time like the present.

Co-Stars: Mario Chalmers, Junior, Guard; Darrell Arthur, Soph., Forward

Chalmers is a consistent contributor who can play either guard spot effectively. If Rush is unwilling or unable to rise to the occasion against the Tar Heels, Chalmers may step into the spotlight. The new “Alaskan Assassin” is a proven big game player (30 points vs. Texas in Big 12 title game) who has taken a backseat for the good of the team, but that might need to change. Meanwhile, Arthur will have to bring his ‘A-game’ and stay out of foul trouble against Hansbrough.

Supporting Cast: Darnell Jackson, Senior, Forward; Russell Robinson, Senior, Guard

Jackson is a fierce rebounder, defender and dunker who may be the X-factor against a North Carolina frontline that does not appear to have a player with the same size-speed combination. Robinson is the Jayhawks’ primary ballhandler but will need to shift his attention to staying in front of UNC point man Ty Lawson.

Bench: Sasha Kaun, Center, Senior; Sherron Collins, Sophomore, Guard

Much like Coach Self did against Davidson’s Stephen Curry, expect a rotation of fresh defenders to guard Hansbrough and Lawson, with Kaun and Collins taking over for Jackson and Robinson after they relieve Arthur and Chalmers. If Kansas can find a way to wear down Carolina’s top two players, the Jayhawks could be playing on Monday night in the national title game.

Road to San Antonio: Omaha, Neb., to Detroit, Mich.

First Round – (16) Portland State (85–61)
Second Round – (8) UNLV (75–56)
Sweet 16 – (12) Villanova (72–57)
Elite Eight – (10) Davidson (59–57)

Quote:

“I thought it was 1,200 pounds, 800 may have been a little light.”

— Bill Self, responding to how he felt having the “800-pound gorilla” removed from his back after punching his first ticket to the Final Four.