Kansas forward Thomas Robinson, second from left, smiles as he and teammates Travis Releford, left, Tyshawn Taylor and Jeff Withey respond to questions during a press conference on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Superdome.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on Kentucky on Monday night in the national championship game at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Matt, KU comes into this game as a clear underdog. How do you think the Jayhawks dealt with that label during their time with reporters Sunday?

photo by: Nick Krug

Matt Tait: In a word? Perfectly. I think they had the perfect blend of respect and confidence and they made it very clear that they believe they can play with Kentucky. That goes for everyone from head coach Bill Self, who flashed that “aw shucks” shrug when saying “I like our guys,” right after telling everyone how incredible Kentucky is. Tyshawn Taylor followed, Thomas Robinson did, too. These guys are ready for this showdown and, to quote Tyshawn, “We have to defend, we have to be tough, rebound the ball, and we have to get good shots. I think if we do that, take care of the ball, limit their transition, I think we’re right in the ballgame.”

JN: Yeah, it is a thin line to walk. You have to give your opponent credit, but at the same time, show enough confidence so that you don’t sound like you’re scared.

I thought KU pulled it off pretty well. And it was a rare role for the Jayhawks, who were almost trying to throw all the pressure onto the Wildcats.

Tyshawn Taylor said UK probably had the best seven-man rotation in the nation. KU coach Bill Self said Kentucky should be favored in the game if you look at talent alone.

photo by: Nick Krug

The weight of expectations is on the Wildcats. And the heat, whether he’ll admit it or not, is on Kentucky coach John Calipari, who has yet to win a title and also is haunted by Self and the free-throw ghost of 2008.

As Self would say, KU is the hunter and not the hunted in this game. We should see if that makes any difference in the first four minutes.

Matt, what’s something interesting you learned about Kentucky from being in their locker room Sunday?

MT: Despite the fact that the Wildcats start three freshmen and two sophomores, they don’t believe that they are a young team.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kentucky head coach John Calipari responds to a question about his thougts on meeting Bill Self and the Jayhawks again in the national title game during a press conference on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Superdome.

For one, their lineup is full of supremely talented players who, though young by NCAA standards, have played plenty of big-time basketball in their lives, be it AAU ball or during their short time at Kentucky. Calipari made sure to emphasize that point whenever possible and also reminded people that there are a few players on his team that played in the Final Four last season.

One other thing that I found interesting Sunday was just how impressive both coaches were. That’s probably no surprise and it certainly shouldn’t be, but still, on the biggest stage possible, on the eve of one of the biggest games of their lives, both Bill Self and John Calipari were incredibly relaxed and owned the room while talking on the podium. That’s just one of the reasons they’re two of the best in the business, but it’s a big one.

JN: From Kansas’ interviews, I thought what guard Elijah Johnson had to say was interesting.

photo by: Nick Krug

First, he talked at length about the first KU-UK game — a 75-65 Wildcats victory on Nov. 15 — saying he couldn’t believe the speed in that game. He also mentioned how KU played like a rec-ball team on that day, and said that Tyshawn Taylor needed to take most of the shots because he was the only one that had been in that kind of big-time environment. At that point, Johnson said, KU wasn’t a team yet.

The junior also said something that stood out about KU’s offense, commenting that the Jayhawks were at their best when they turned down two good shots on a possession to get a great one.

That strategy would definitely make sense against Kentucky. The Wildcats hardly force any turnovers (297th nationally in turnover percentage), and they also thrive in transition off opponents’ quick shots.

Patience offensively could be a big key for KU, which had just nine assists in its first game against UK.

OK, Matt, what’s your prediction for this game?

MT: Call me crazy — I know many people will — but I’m taking Kansas.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson hangs on the rim after a dunk over Kentucky forward Anthony Davis during the first half on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

I don’t know if that’s because I actually think the Jayhawks are going to win this game or because I just can’t pick against them. This team just refuses to lose, and I think they can grind out one more win.

Even though the Wildcats tried to say otherwise Sunday, all the pressure in this one is on Kentucky and that should work to KU’s favor. In addition, KU’s comfortable playing from behind and due for that one special game. I think we see it Monday night, and I think it looks an awful lot like the Purdue and Ohio State victories.

Kansas 73, Kentucky 69.

JN: Let me start with this: I think the line is too high. Kentucky and Kansas are closer than 6.5 points in my mind, and I’ll be surprised if that line doesn’t drop at least a point before tipoff.

Having said that, I’m picking Kentucky.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kentucky guard Marquis Teague celebrates a dunk in front of Kansas players Tyshawn Taylor (10) Conner Teahan (2) and teammate Terrence Jones during the second half on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The Wildcats are the toughest team in the nation to shoot against, and the Jayhawks haven’t exactly been lighting up the nets to begin with.

I think KU will win the desire categories, like offensive rebounding. I think KU will win the turnover battle and should be pretty close to matching the UK’s free throw numbers.

But I just don’t see the Jayhawks outshooting the Wildcats, especially with as tough as Kentucky makes it on opposing teams inside.

Kentucky 68, Kansas 66.

All right, Matt, who’s your Hawk to Rock?

MT: He’s a senior and it’s my last shot to pick him … I gotta take it. I’m going with Tyshawn Taylor.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor leads the Jayhawks to the court prior to tipoff against Ohio State at the Superdome on Saturday, March 31, 2012.

The shooting slump ends, as Taylor knocks down a couple of outside shots and opens up more room for him to attack the rim to set up Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey inside. On the biggest stage of his life, in his last game as a Jayhawk, Taylor cements his legacy as one of KU’s all-time greats by leading the Jayhawks to an upset of Kentucky.

JN: I’m taking Jeff Withey, who once again has a matchup that should allow him to rack up blocks.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Jeff Withey blocks a shot by Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger during the second half on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Superdome.

Kentucky gets 56 percent of its scoring from two-point range, meaning if Withey stays out of foul trouble, there’s a great chance he gets at least five swats Monday.

The 7-foot junior, who has 27 blocks in his last five games, is just two blocks away from tying an NCAA Tournament record.

He also broke the Big 12 record for blocks in a season last game, as his 136 blocks topped Baylor’s Ekpe Udoh’s previous record of 133.

Almost no one would have predicted that for Withey before the season began. 

Predictions tally (through 38 games)
Tom/Matt: 31-7 record, 333 points off (8.8 points off/game)
Jesse: 33-5 record, 290 points off (7.6 points off/game)

Hawk to Rock

Tom Keegan/Matt Tait
Towson: Tyshawn Taylor (4th in Keegan ratings)
Kentucky: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
Georgetown: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
UCLA: Tyshawn Taylor (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Duke: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
FAU: Jeff Withey (4th in Keegan ratings)
South Florida: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
Long Beach State: Elijah Johnson (7th in Keegan ratings)
Ohio State: Thomas Robinson (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Davidson: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
USC: Jeff Withey (4th in Keegan ratings)
Howard: Kevin Young (4th in Keegan ratings)
North Dakota: Elijah Johnson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Kansas State: Tyshawn Taylor (5th in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma: Tyshawn Taylor (4th in Keegan ratings)
Texas Tech: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Iowa State: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Texas: Thomas Robinson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M: Thomas Robinson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Iowa State: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Missouri: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Thomas Robinson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma State: Thomas Robinson (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Kansas State: Tyshawn Taylor (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Texas Tech: Thomas Robinson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M: Tyshawn Taylor (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Missouri: Thomas Robinson (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma State: Travis Releford (7th in Keegan ratings)
Texas: Tyshawn Taylor (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M: Tyshawn Taylor (4th in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Jeff Withey (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Detroit: Tyshawn Taylor (4th in Keegan ratings)
Purdue: Thomas Robinson (4th in Keegan ratings)
N.C. State: Tyshawn Taylor (7th in Keegan ratings)
North Carolina: Tyshawn Taylor (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Ohio State: Jeff Withey (4th in Keegan ratings)
Average: 3.1st in Keegan ratings

Jesse Newell
Towson: Conner Teahan (6th in Keegan ratings)
Kentucky: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
Georgetown: Kevin Young (9th in Keegan ratings)
UCLA: Elijah Johnson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Duke: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
FAU: Tyshawn Taylor (7th in Keegan ratings)
South Florida: Elijah Johnson (6th in Keegan ratings)
Long Beach State: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Ohio State: Travis Releford (5th in Keegan ratings)
Davidson: Jeff Withey (5th in Keegan ratings)
USC: Elijah Johnson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Howard: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
North Dakota: Conner Teahan (5th in Keegan ratings)
Kansas State: Travis Releford (1st in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma: Elijah Johnson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Texas Tech: Travis Releford (2nd in Keegan ratings
Iowa State: Thomas Robinson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Kevin Young (9th in Keegan ratings)
Texas: Travis Releford (5th in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
Iowa State: Jeff Withey (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma: Conner Teahan (6th in Keegan ratings)
Missouri: Kevin Young (8th in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Jeff Withey (1st in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma State: Tyshawn Taylor (4th in Keegan ratings)
Kansas State: Travis Releford (4th in Keegan ratings)
Texas Tech: Kevin Young (4th in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M: Jeff Withey (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Missouri: Travis Releford (6th in Keegan ratings)
Oklahoma State: Jeff Withey (6th in Keegan ratings)
Texas: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Texas A&M: Jeff Withey (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Baylor: Kevin Young (5th in Keegan ratings)
Detroit: Jeff Withey (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Purdue: Tyshawn Taylor (3rd in Keegan ratings)
N.C. State: Jeff Withey (1st in Keegan ratings)
North Carolina: Thomas Robinson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Ohio State: Elijah Johnson (3rd in Keegan ratings)
Average: 3.7th in Keegan ratings