Kansas versus Kentucky (Kentucky: 67-59)
The University of Kentucky Wildcats made history last night by winning the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament, dominating the Kansas Jayhawks 67-69 in an enticing game.The Wildcats grabbed their eighth national title tonight, reinstating that they are the No. 1 college basketball team in the nation. The team was ranked No. 1 for 20 out of the 29 weeks this season.
Throughout the game, Kentucky maintained a double-digit lead. By halftime, the Wildcats were in a fourteen point lead. Towards the middle of the second half, the game continued to open up as the Kansas Jayhawks went down by 18 points. Although the Jayhawks mounted a comeback and came within five points with only 1:37 left in the game, the Wildcats brought it back with four free throws in the last minute, winning the 2012 March Madness tournament.
Kentucky’s victory can be attributed to two key players: freshmen Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Although Davis only scored five points, his strong defensive efforts and rebounding allowed his teammates to rally up points and maintain a solid lead. Kidd-Gilchrist, with the help of Davis, scored 11 points in the first-half. Sophomore Doron Lamb lead the Wildcats with 22 points, freshman Marquis Teague scored 14 points and sophomore Terrence Jones had nine points and seven rebounds.
Thomas Robinson, the most prominent player for the Kansas Jayhawks, had a frustrating evening with the defensive tactics of Davis and Jones, scoring the Jayhawks 18 points on 6 of 17 field goals, continuing his struggles from the field in the tournament.
Overall, the 2012 March Madness final championship proved to be an enticing and memorable game. This is the second time in ten years that the championship was won by a No. 1 seed team and is Kentucky’s first victory since 1998. Tonight, the Wildcats bring home not only a trophy, but pride to Kentucky University.
