Oregon and Kansas Go on the Defensive

MADISON, Wis. — Oregon averages 85 points, third best in the country. Kansas does even better, scoring more than anybody, 91 a game. For college teams, that’s a bunch.

Yet here they were, the runners and gunners from Eugene and Lawrence, talking about how important defense is going to be today when Kansas, seeded No. 1, and Oregon, seeded No. 2, play for the championship of the Midwest Regional.

“The transition game is predicated on getting stops,” Oregon Coach Ernie Kent said, “so you can get out and run and that’s the key.”

Said Kansas Coach Roy Williams: “You run better when you’re stopping the other team and getting the ball on the move. Whoever plays defense and takes care of the ball will do well.”

The Jayhawks (32-3) are looking for their first Final Four trip since 1993. The Ducks (26-8) are aiming for their first trip since 1939 when the Ducks won the title but when there was only a Final Two instead of a Final Four.

But this isn’t about history or not having any. This is about two teams that play crowd-pleasing basketball. This is about two teams driven by guards who relish the fancy pass and also the fundamental jump shot. This is about two teams that won’t slow down for anything, about two conference champions (Big 12 for Kansas, Pacific 10 for Oregon) who are filled with confidence and toughness.

Oregon’s tempo is set by three guards--sophomore Luke Ridnour, who runs the show with a dash of flash; senior Frederick Jones, who is fearless, strong, athletic and exuberant; and sophomore Luke Jackson, who is happy to settle for a three-point shot instead of a layup.

“I like the way Oregon plays,” Kansas guard Jeff Boschee said. “Ridnour is an exciting, play-making guard and Luke Jackson has good offensive abilities.”

And Kansas’ tempo is set by three guards. Boschee is a sweet-shooting senior who can destroy a zone defense; Kirk Hinrich, an athletic junior who serves as the point guard and catalyst for the fastbreak; and Aaron Miles, a freshman from Portland, Ore., who left the state because he wanted to start immediately and his favorite team, the Ducks, were loaded.

The difference, then, could be inside, where Kansas has multi-talented junior forward Drew Gooden. The 6-foot-10 junior has become the best power forward in the country with the ability to play outside and inside. The Ducks offer 7-2, 320-pound Chris Christoffersen, who is immovable but also immobile, and 6-8, 235-pound Robert Johnson, who can pound on Gooden but maybe not keep up with him.

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Diane Pucin