Hinrich and Graves rise to the challenge
28 points from Kirk Hinrich and 15 points and 13 rebounds from Jeff Graves
prove to be too much for a deep and talented Arizona team to overcome, as Kansas
defeated Arizona 78-75 on Saturday night.
Boxscore highlights
- A tough night for Nick Collison, as the interior defense of Arizona limited
him to only 8 points and 9 boards on a night in which Collison was only able
to get off 7 shots.
- Keith Langford chipped in 13 points and 3 boards, with Langford missing
all of his shots from behind the arc.
- Hinrich's 28 points came on the heels of a near shutout against Duke, in
which the senior guard managed only one field goal and two points for the
entire previous game. Hinrich fired an amazing 17 shots from behind the 3-point
line, hitting 6.
- Sophomore Michael Lee came in off the KU bench and contributed 8 points,
including two crucial 3-point baskets.
- Arizona was led by ironman Jason Gardner's 23 points, hitting 6 for 15 from
the floor in 40 minutes of playing time.
Notes and further info
This victory is eerily similar to a 1997 NCAA tournament game in which a poll-leading
Kansas team was sent home early by a talented 'Zona team on their way to a national
title.
This win vaults Kansas into the Final Four for the second consecutive season,
and sets up a Final Four battle with Marquette next weekend in New Orleans. Television
coverage will be provided by CBS.
Stay with Phog.net for more pictures and info from this victory.