A Key to Kansas vs Richmond

Justin Harper and Dan Geriot vs the Morris Twins: For nearly every team that the Richmond Spiders have played this season, their opponents have had trouble matching up with Justin Harper and Dan Geriot. These two forwards, who are both 6-10, are the best two shooters on their team from three point land as they both average over 42 percent. They create matchup problems because they can be physical inside but also can step outside and make your big men guard on the perimeter. Many teams have to focus so much on stopping the versatile Harper, that it allows first team Atlantic 10 guard Kevin Anderson to score and penetrate into the line. However, Kansas is happy to guard Harper and Geriot out on the perimeter, as they have two of the most athletic forwards in college basketball with Marcus and his twin brother Markieff Morris. This will allow Kansas's defense to focus on Anderson, as one of the Morris brothers will be able to match up with Harper either on the post or outside. Richmond definitely has a chance to pull the upset on the top seeded Kansas because of their ability to shoot the three ball. Morehead St. guard Demonte Harper said about Richmond after they beat them in the third round of the tourney, "It's kind of difficult to guard them because they have so many good shooters on the floor. Each guy on their team can really shoot the ball." On the other end of the court, Richmond plays a matchup two three zone, which caused both Vanderbilt and Morehead St. havoc in the tournament. Even Chris Mooney admitted though, "Kansas is a different problem because they're so good, so strong, so physical... [The Morris twins] they're aggressive, really talented. Obviously, they're big- time bodies down there. We're up for the challenge. I think if we can just negate their rebounding and make them work for everything." It will be key for the Spiders to locate the Morris twins on defense because not only can they rebound and score inside but they can also shoot from three like the Richmond frontline.