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Second round gut reaction (cont.)

Posted: Saturday March 17, 2007 2:24AM; Updated: Sunday March 18, 2007 12:53AM
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Sherron Collins had 15 points, one of five Jayhawks in double figures, as Kansas routed Niagara 107-67.
Sherron Collins had 15 points, one of five Jayhawks in double figures, as Kansas routed Niagara 107-67.
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Seth Davis will periodically answer questions from SI.com users in his Hoop Thoughts column.
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SI.com: On the other end of the spectrum, Kansas and Florida rolled to victories.

SD: Well, you know, Kansas to me looked like a team that really did not want to lose in the first round. The Jayhawks were really good -- really good. Right from the get-go they imposed their style, defended hard and were active on the offensive glass, maybe their greatest strength. Julian Wright was terrific and I'm just smitten with Sherron Collins, he's ballsy. Kansas had all hands on deck. There was not one point when the Jayhawks let up their focus, both mentally and physically.

Florida, on the other hand, came out really flat. The Gators waited until the second half to flip on the light switch. That's their issue and it was their issue down the stretch. You feel like they've gotten through that, but then they come out flat Friday. I don't want to put too much stock into it, and I don't know if it's indicative of a problem or if they just know they're good enough that they only have to play well for six minutes to beat a team by 40.

SI.com: How about Tennessee? The Vols put up 121 points on that Long Beach State squad.

SD: I really like Tennessee. I was at the game when the Vols drilled Florida. Maybe it's just seeing Pat Summit in a cheerleading outfit, but I have them in the Elite Eight. Virginia was really impressive, too. Having J.R. Reynolds and Chris Lofton on the same court, what a matchup that will be. The flipside to the lack of upsets this year is that there are some really good matchups this weekend, and I just feel like something crazy is going to happen.

SI.com: What player impressed you the most Friday?

SD: Kevin Durant. His game Friday should be required viewing for all young players. He had one made field goal in the second half, he was 1-for-4. Reggie Theus had a great scheme for him, and Durant never forced the action. You look down and he had 27 points. It's because he was 15-of-16 from the foul line. The fact that he had that much poise in his first NCAA game is amazing to me. There's something in his DNA that is not normal. He never lost his cool, he helped his team win. He's a savant. It's almost like Tiger Woods. He made me think of Tiger. It just feels like it was in slow motion out there. It wasn't a spectacular game by his standards, but he's spectacular when he's unspectacular, if that makes any sense.

SI.com: What second-round matchup are you most looking forward to on Saturday?

SD: Indiana-UCLA is going to be great. UCLA beats you most of all with its toughness and Indiana is tough. UCLA's biggest weakness is on the interior and Indiana has a great power forward in there in D.J. White. If he can go for 24 and 12, which he's capable of, then IU has a chance

Vandy-Washington State is going to be another good one. I have Vandy in the Sweet 16, but I'm going to have to sleep on that one. Washington State is getting scoring from a lot of different places. The Cougars are a better team now than they were two weeks ago.

Louisville-Texas A&M will be great because it's in Lexington. It's also one of those contrasting styles games. Texas A&M wants it to be 50-50, Louisville wants it to be 80-80. It's like the tortoise and the hare.

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