'Cats seek first title for Cal

'Cats seek first title for Cal

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Tyshawn Taylor (c.) and the Kansas Jayhawks are the final test for Kentucky.

NEW ORLEANS Win the national championship. It has been the mandate at Kentucky throughout this season.

The young Wildcats were anointed the most-talented team in the country with the possible exception of North Carolina, and then they beat the Tar Heels in early December. In the 19 weeks of the national rankings, Kentucky was No. 1 on 10 occasions, No. 2 six times and No. 3 three times. They then were bestowed the overall No. 1 seeding for the NCAA Tournament.

On Monday night at the Superdome, the Wildcats (37-2) will try to fulfill the mandate and, at the same time, give coach John Calipari his first title when they face Kansas (32-6). Calipari is a staggering 101-14 since arriving at Kentucky but has yet to ascend to the throne of college basketball and carries the baggage of two vacated Final Four appearances for NCAA transgressions.

Even before the season we saw our talent and our chemistry and thought we could have an undefeated season, freshman guard Marquis Teague said. People expected us to do great things and we have so far. They say if we dont win, this is a letdown, and we feel the same thing. We think were the best.

Our attitude is give it your best shot, sophomore Terrence Jones said. We want to win. We prepare to win. We expect to win.

Kentuckys final obstacle is a good one, a Jayhawks team that is far superior to the one New York saw Nov. 15 at the Garden in a 75-65 loss to the Cats in the State Farm Champions Classic, the second game of the season for each team. Kentucky broke away from a tie game with an 18-3 second-half run.

In the NCAAs, Kansas has pulled out wins again and again.

Theyre finding a way on the biggest stage, Kansas coach Bill Self said. Look at our last four tournament games: Purdue has us down and out, N.C. State was a one-possession game, (North) Carolina is a one-possession game, (Saturday) night Ohio State had us down and out. Its remarkable to me to see how much these guys have matured, grown, trust each other. Its been a blast to watch.

Self coached Kansas past Caliparis Memphis team in the 2008 championship game in similar fashion. The Jayhawks overcame a late nine-point deficit and forced overtime with Mario Chalmers memorable 3-pointer, then prevailed.

It seems like when it kind of looks like its not going our way the most is when they kind of rise to the challenge and play their best, Self said.

Kentuckys 6-10 freshman center Anthony Davis is the collegiate Player of the Year, but Kansas 6-10 Thomas Robinson was a strong contender. Kansas will defend Davis with 7-footer Jeff Withey, a stellar shot-blocker second only to Davis. Kentuckys arsenal includes freshman scorer Michael Kidd-Gilchrist out of Elizabeths St. Patrick High, and Quee ns product Doron Lamb, a superb outside shooter. Kansas includes senior Tyshawn Taylor, who played at Jersey Citys St. Anthony High, and junior Elijah Johnson, who is averaging 15.4 points in the tourney.

Kentucky is the one facing all the pressure for the season-long expectations, to get Calipari a title, to prove that what they believed at the start still is true at the end. Theyre a really talented team . . . a really disciplined team, Kentucky senior Darius Miller said. We know its going to be a tough game, probably the hardest game we played all season.If not, they wouldnt be here. Theyre here for a reason. Its not by mistake.