Smith analyzes final game
Nobody in Mount Pleasant knows more about the Final Four then Jay Smith.
The men’s basketball head coach is no stranger to college basketball’s biggest stage, having served as an assistant when Michigan went to consecutive NCAA Championship games during the “Fab Five” era of the early 1990’s.
Kansas and Syracuse are the last two teams standing from the original Field of 65, and will play for the NCAA title tonight in New Orleans. While he wishes it was his squad competing in the big game at the Big Easy, Smith doled out his thoughts and expertise on the matchup.
“It will be a great game,” Smith said. “Both of these teams can really push it offensively. They both are capable of scoring 85 or 90 points a night, so whoever makes stops on defense is going to win.”
Smith is a big fan of the Jayhawks, who were one of the nation’s most experienced teams heading into the tournament. Senior forward Nick Collison and senior guard Kirk Hinrich lead the way, providing Coach Roy Williams with a feared one-two punch.
“They are two great players,” Smith said. “The experience they bring to the team is invaluable. It will be hard for Syracuse to stop them.”
The Jayhawks advanced to the Final game with a 94-61 drubbing of Marquette in the National Semifinal. KU played a near-perfect game, scoring at will on a Golden Eagle offense that looked fatigued.
“I think they were a victim of playing too many close games,” Smith said. “The only real blowout they had was the Kentucky win. I think they ran out of gas.”
Smith said he feels that Kansas may be too tough to stop.
“The way they played against Marquette, I can’t see them losing. They are an outstanding team.”
Syracuse brings a stark contrast to Kansas’ consistency and experience. The Orangemen are led by a trio of underclassmen, including freshmen Carmelo Anthony. Freshman point guard Gerry McNamara and sophomore forward Hakim Warrick also have been instrumental in the Syracuse rise.
“They are a very athletic team,” Smith said. “Coach Boeheim has done a great job with that group. He has installed a tough 2-3 zone defense, which is easier to put in. Syracuse is a team that is playing its best basketball at the most important time of the season.”
The Orangemen continued their hot play with a convincing 95-84 victory over Texas. Syracuse was able to slow the play of NCAA Player of the Year T.J. Ford, which enabled Syracuse to advance. Anthony scored a career-high 33 points in the win.
“They really played well down the stretch,” Smith said. “They were able to hit their shots and free throws and made it so Texas could not get back into the game. Anthony really picked a good time to have a career game.
