2016 NCAA Tournament: Kansas - Villanova Recap

In what I expected to be a high-scoring offensive game, both teams locked down on defense and brawled with each other for nearly 40 minutes in what would turn out to be the final game of Perry Ellis' Kansas career.

In the first half, Kansas found themselves trailing by a 32-25 count as the Jayhawks only scored .76 PPP and allowed .95 PPP.

The game didn't get much better for Kansas in the second half, however, KU did manage to make a run at Villanova.  In face, once the Jayhawks took a five point lead with just under 11 minutes to go, I felt pretty confident that they would be able to hold off Villanova the rest of the way.  That wasn't to be the case, however, as Kansas stumbled in the final five minutes.  Kansas finished the game scoring .91 PPP and allowing .98 PPP.

The Jayhawks shot 60.7% from two but went only 6-22 (27.3%) from 3.  Kansas held Villanova to 50.0% from 2 and 4-18 (22.2%) from 3.

Turnovers were really a big part of the game, with Kansas turning the ball over on 24.6% of possessions while Villanova only turned it over at a 13.8% rate.  Villanova also had the edge from the free throw line, canning 16-17 (94.7%) to KU's 7-11 (63.6%).

Frank Mason played all 40 minutes.  Mason finished 6-8 on twos, including some nice drives to to basket, but only hit 1-6 from three (although the three hit was huge with 25 seconds left).  He had 4 assists but was also charged with 4 turnovers.

Devonte Graham was KU's best outside shot, hitting 5-9 threes.  He collected 7 rebounds as well, but did not register a single assist against 3 turnovers.  Graham fouled out of the game with 30 seconds left to go, but it is worth noting that he averages five fouls per 80 minutes.  I'm not saying that some calls went against him, but some calls may have gone against him.

Wayne Selden was 6-8 on twos but 0-6 from three, including two misses under two minutes left that were clean, open looks.  Selden also struggled with turnovers, giving the ball away 3 times against 3 assists.

Perry Ellis has probably the worst game of his KU career two days after having one of the best games of his career. He was never in foul trouble, but Kansas just couldn't get him going offensively as he only took 5 shots, making one.  Ellis was also charged with 4 turnovers and only picked up 5 rebounds.

Landen Lucas continued his excellent play down the stretch, going 3-3 on twos and grabbing 11 rebounds.  Lucas was even credited with 2 assists.  Kansas probably should have tried to get the ball to Lucas a little more often, as he was really the only big who had a serviceable game.

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk played 7 minutes, missed a 3, and picked up a foul.

Jamari Traylor played 5 minutes, had a turnover, a steal, and two fouls while not attempting a shot.

Carlton Bragg played 6 minutes and did not attempt a shot, registering one assist and one turnover.