NEWARK, N.J. – Kentucky is Final Four bound. The Newark Regional started off slow but gave us two outstanding contests to cap off a wild weekend. A tempo free look at the games, beginning with the final.
Kentucky 76, North Carolina 69
Possessions:
Kentucky 69
North Carolina 71
Offensive efficiency:
Kentucky 110
North Carolina 97
The Kentucky defense was a big story here. The Wildcats held North Carolina, as noted above, to an average defensive showing in the efficiency department. The tempo was more in line to the Tar Heels’ liking. Part of the reason was due to Kentucky getting out and running their own fast break to establish an early lead. John Calipari’s club did a great job limiting the Tar Heel finishes on the break, as Carolina scored only 12 points on fast break opportunities.
DeAndre Liggins drew a starting assignment for the Wildcats. The senior guard’s main task was containing UNC lead guard Kendall Marshall, especially in not allowing him to ignite the Tar Heel transition. Liggins did the job and on his own behalf hit a huge three that increased UK’s lead to four with just under a minute remaining. The Kentucky defense was also reflected in their holding the opposition to a 46 percent eFG percentage.
John Henson of North Carolina was limited to a 4-point, 9-rebound performance before fouling out. Henson played only 23 minutes. Coach Roy Williams missed Henson’s presence to grab offensive boards and block shots. A further point can be made that Henson’s absence allowed Kentucky to pay a little more attention to Tyler Zeller, who did lead UNC with 21 points, down low.
The semifinals:
North Carolina 81, Marquette 63
Possessions:
Marquette 73
North Carolina 69
Offensive efficiency:
Marquette 86
North Carolina 117
The first half was a “Murphy’s law” twenty minutes for Buzz Williams & Co. Marquette had an efficiency of .44. Worse, they had twice as many turnovers (12) as field goals (6) and no assists. The TO rate was an astounding 35 percent. A 19-0 Tar Heel run during the opening twenty minutes was instrumental in building a 40-15 lead at the break.
The second half saw the Big east representatives settle down. Their offense improved (52% ercent shooting) as did a defense that limited the Tar Heels to a 38 percent field goal percentage after intermission.
Tyler Zeller (27 points) and John Henson (14 points) did the damage inside for Carolina. Harrison Barnes with 20 was effective inside and out. Defensively, Dexter Strickland frustrated Marquette’s Darius Odom-Johnson 97 points) into a tough 2-of-9 shooting night.
Kentucky 62, Ohio State 60
Possessions:
Kentucky 59
Offensive efficiency:
Kentucky 105
Ohio State 100
The pace was right in line for both clubs. Kentucky was hurt on the boards as the Buckeyes had a 39-26 percent advantage in offensive rebounding percentage. That was offset by a defense that limited Ohio State to a 38 percent eFG mark. Known for forcing turnovers on defense, Ohio State could only disrupt the Wildcats into a 19 percent TO rate. That figure is better than the 20 percent cutoff and showed UK’s ability to care for the ball. Jared Sullinger led Ohio State with 21 points 16 rebounds 98 offensive). The freshman phenom was forced to work for everything by Josh Harrellson, a 17-point, 10-rebound performer in his own behalf.
It all came down once again to Brandon Knight. The UK freshman struggled (nine points on 3-of-10 shooting) but came up big late as he did in round one against Princeton. Knight hit a crucial three-pointer late in the game and nailed the eventual game-deciding shot with nine seconds to play.
