The NCAA Tournament is here and there’s more news, commentary and analysis than any of us can possibly keep up with. To make things a little easier, we’ll bring you a list of daily links gathered about teams in each of the four regions all the way through the Final Four.
Kentucky
- The play of sophomore forward Terrence Jones has been scrutinized all season. John Calipari notes that he realizes something that most fans do not and that is “Terrence Jones wants to please me in the worst way.”
- John Calipari has his fair share of critics, but what Deron Snyder of The Washington Times points out is that Calipari is often criticized for winning within the rules.
- Anthony Davis has deserved a lot of attention during his standout freshman season, but the forward has not let any of the attention make him cocky.
- Darius Miller was replaced in Kentucky’s starting lineup by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at the beginning of the season, but that demotion did not do anything to change Miller’s attitude. Kentucky’s lone senior has emerged as its unquestioned leader.
Ohio State
- Sophomore point guard Aaron Craft has gotten a lot of attention for his defensive prowess, but he has also been the Buckeyes’ seasoned leader on the offensive end of the court.
- Jared Sullinger has been the face of the Ohio State program for the past two seasons and the sophomore forward has undeniably fit that role well.
- Sophomore guard Lenzelle Smith, Jr., played his way onto the All-East Region team due to a very impressive four-game stretch. If Smith can produce like he has thus far in the NCAA Tournament, he will serve as a great complement to Sullinger and forward Deshaun Thomas.
- Thad Matta is hoping to enjoy the Final Four moment while he can, but the Buckeyes head coach knows that enjoyment will come to an end when it is time to go to work on Kansas.
Kansas
- Kansas assistant coach Danny Manning was named the new head coach at Tulsa today. Manning is the second Kansas aide to take a head coaching job, as director of basketball operations Barry Hinson took the Southern Illinois job earlier in the week.
- A disappointing loss to Davidson on December 19 helped spark a great turnaround for Kansas. In the weeks following the surprising loss in Kansas City, the Jayhawks won 10 consecutive games.
- There has been much talk about this season being the best coaching job of Bill Self’s career. However, the veteran head coach is unsure if such a conclusion is accurate.
- Tyshawn Taylor’s struggles on and off the court have been pretty well-documented throughout his Kansas career. Despite these struggles, Taylor is very well-respected among his teammates.
Louisville
- It has been widely speculated that there are ill feelings between Rick Pitino and Kentucky head coach John Calipari, but on Thursday, Pitino noted,”There is no animosity.”
- Peyton Siva is well-known for collecting assists on the court as Louisville’s point guard, but Siva has also established a reputation for helping others in need off the court.
- All season long, Russ Smith has been Louisville’s all-or-nothing wild card. The sophomore guard has scored 47 points in the Cardinals’ last three games. In the prior three games, Smith only scored 13 points.
- Chane Behanan was recruited heavily by Kentucky, but Louisville ultimately won the talented forward’s services. John Calipari acknowledged Kentucky recruited Behanan because Calipari “loved his skill set for a guy his size.”