The number 1 seeded Big 12 conference champions, the Kansas Jayhawks beat the 16 seeded Texas Southern Tigers, 9 seeded Creighton Bluejays, 4 seeded Providence Friars, and 10 seeded Miami Hurricanes, en route to winning the Midwest region of the NCAA tournament and advancing to the final four. The number 2 seeded Big East conference champions, the Villanova Wildcats beat the 15 seeded Delaware Blue Hens, the 7 seeded Ohio State Buckeyes, the 11 seeded Michigan Wolverines, and the 5 seeded Houston Cougars, in order to win the South region of the NCAA tournament and make the final four. Both Villanova and Kansas are two of the best coached teams in college basketball, with Bill Self as the Kansas Jayhawks coach, and Jay Wright as the Villanova Wildcats coach. Both Bill Self and Jay Wright know what it is like to coach in the final four, as coach Self has been in 3 final fours prior to this one, making the NCAA championship twice and winning the NCAA tournament 1 time. Coach Wright has made 3 final fours prior to this one, making the NCAA championship twice and winning in both of the NCAA championship games he has coached in. In the NCAA tournament, Villanova has beaten opponents by an average of 11 points per game, whereas Kansas has beaten opponents by an average of 16.25 points per game in the NCAA tournament. The Kansas Jayhawks have rebounded the ball very well during the NCAA tournament, averaging 43.75 rebounds per game, led by the rebounding of Jalen Wilson who is averaging 10.5 rebounds per game. Villanova averaged 35 rebounds per game in the NCAA tournament. The Villanova Wildcats allow their opponents to score 55 points per game. The forefront of the Villanova Wildcats defense, Justin Moore got injured in the latter moments of the game versus Houston, tearing his achilles. One of the main focuses for Villanova in their game versus Kansas is how does the Villanova defense play against a Kansas Jayhawks offense that has averaged 76 points per game in the NCAA tournament, without their best defensive player. With the injury of Justin Moore, the X-Factor for Villanova will be Caleb Daniels, who has been the Villanova 6th man throughout the NCAA tournament. The X-factor in the NCAA tournament for the Kansas Jayhawks has been the emergence of 6th man, guard Remy Martin, who has averaged 16.75 points per game, shooting 54.5% from the field. But the Villanova Wildcats have Bob Cousy Award finalist and Big East Player of the year, Collin Gillespie to counter Remy Martin, who has averaged 13 points per game, shooting 33.3% from the field, and only turning the ball 1 time per game in the NCAA tournament.
Prediction: Kansas Jayhawks win 66-64