It’s been a phenomenal season for Anthony Davis and the Kentucky Wildcats. Now he stands just two wins away from cutting down the nets in New Orleans. Al Dannity looks ahead to Davis and the Wildcats’ clash with the Cardinals on Saturday.
Game-changing
In order to understand why John Calipari’s Wildcats have looked so comfortable in the NCAA Tournament, College Basketball betting fans need to understand Davis. Most famous for his monobrow, that isn’t the reason the Kentucky big man is like no defender we have ever seen before. He may not necessarily go down as better than the likes of Kevin Garnett in Basketball history but he is certainly of a different style to any player that has come before him. Davis is averaging 4.6 blocks a game while giving up just 2 fouls in every contest. The closest modern comparison at this level was Marcus Camby at UMass but he gave up almost as many fouls as blocks.
Physically Davis is best compared to JaVale McGee or Tyrus Thomas but the Kentucky star is a far more nuanced defender. The tools he brings to the game make him a nightmare for opposing offenses. He does not get frustrated, he does not get overly aggressive, and he most certainly does not lose sight of his objective. This is a player with a 7’4” wingspan who does not fall back on his natural physical gifts. A big showing this weekend could all but lock him up as the top pick in the NBA draft. Teams could see him as the antidote to Kevin Love and Dirk Nowitzki, the blocker who can take down big mid-range shooters.
The verdict
For Rick Pitino, working his offense around Davis is going to be a huge challenge. Quite frankly it’s going to be a nightmare trying to go through him. That’s what near every team to face the Wildcats this season has learned. Louisville however did not get to the Final Four through sheer luck. Pitino has drawn up excellent game plans for each opponent and he will have an idea of how to test Davis. Against a Kentucky team this loaded, I can’t see any scheme smart enough to stop Coach Cal’s team progressing to the title game. The Wildcats have a big number to cover but they are more than good enough to get the job done. I like Kentucky to win and Davis to have a big night in the first Final Four semi-final.
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