NCAA Tournament: Breaking Down The Elite Eight

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Mar 24, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) celebrates during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins in a semifinal game in the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Villanova Wildcats (Saturday)

South Region: No. 1 Seed vs. No. 2 Seed

Synopsis: Kansas made easy work of each of its first three opponents, winning by a combined margin of 54 points over Austin Peay, Connecticut and Maryland. Perry Ellis has totaled 69 points through three games to lead the Jayhawks.

Struggling early in the season to find their shooting mark, Villanova has shot 59 percent overall from the field in the NCAA Tournament, winning their first three games by a combined 72 points. Kris Jenkins has totaled 48 points through those three games against UNC-Asheville, Iowa and Miami.

Mar 24, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) shoots the ball against Miami Hurricanes guard Angel Rodriguez (13) during the second half in a semifinal game in the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Dominance: For two teams that don’t have “surefire pros,” both teams have overcome their respective monikers as regular season overachievers. This has been pegged on Villanova more than Kansas, but both have had recent early exits in the NCAA Tournament. Now, they’ll play each other firing on all cylinders for the right to play in the Final Four.

What’s At Stake: A win would mark Villanova’s first Final Four appearance since 2009, the year of Scottie Reynolds while Kansas is looking to play in its first since 2012 when they played the Anthony Davis-led Kentucky Wildcats in the national championship game.

X-Factors: Most of the attention is going to be paid to the historic seniors for both programs in Villanova’s Ryan Arcidiacono and Kansas’ Ellis. Both have had great success in their careers and will be called upon by their teams to come through in the clutch.

For this game, though, it’s two juniors that can have the biggest impact in Josh Hart for the Wildcats and Wayne Selden for the Jayhawks. Both have passed on NBA opportunities in the past and can take over a game at any moment.

Selden has been a go-to scorer for the Jayhawks in the last four games, averaging 19 points per game in that stretch. A quick, athletic slasher who isn’t afraid to let it fly, Selden can turn the tides in a game rather quickly by himself should Kansas find themselves in a funk.

Hart has similar attributes to Selden. He’s a big, phyiscal off-ball wing who can break up a press, go inside or make it rain from three in the span of one possession. Hart loves the midrange jumper, and considering Villanova’s scorching shooting thus far in the NCAA Tournament, that shot will likely be available to him here.

Key Number: Villanova ranks 15th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 63.6 points per game. Meanwhile, Kansas ranks 15th in scoring offense, averaging 82.0 points per game.

What They’ll Need To Do: With both offenses clicking and both teams dominating their opponents, this game will come down to defense. Or, to put it simply, who gets the last stop.

Unlike each of their first three games, don’t expect Villanova and Kansas to embark in a blowout affair. Both teams have veterans, guys that have been around for a while and know what it’s going to take to get this game in their favor. Expect physical, smart play from both teams and an overall entertaining game. This one will likely come down to who’s able to make the last stop in the game.

Next: Ducks-Sooners