Sports

Withey’s D holds Kansas together

COLLEGE REJECT: After swatting North Carolina, Kansas center Jeff Withey gets to menace Michigan. (
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Ben McLemore may be the projected top pick in June’s NBA Draft, but center Jeff Withey has proven the biggest key for Kansas.

With McLemore, the freshman guard, struggling with consistency on offense, the Jayhawks may need the 7-foot senior and his knack for defense to carry them past Michigan tonight in the NCAA Tournament South Region semifinals at Cowboys Stadium (8:37, TNT).

Withey has the second most blocked shots in NCAA Tournament history, behind Tim Duncan, and he alters ones he doesn’t get to.

“It’s so much confidence having Jeff behind us,” Kansas guard Elijah Johnson said. “A lot of people fear being back”‘-doored. But when you back”‘-door, you’re going with a head of steam and you’re going with a head of steam towards a brick wall.

“We don’t appreciate it as much as we probably should because we’ve been playing with him for four years. But we definitely feel better going out there and pressuring … knowing we’ve got backup.’’

Withey — projected to go 24th overall to the Knicks by nbadraft.net — is second nationally with 3.9 blocks per game and anchors the country’s top field-goal defense. He holds the all-time Big 12 mark for blocks, and his 44 career tourney rejections are just six shy of Duncan’s record.

“What’s deflating [is]”‘”‘ you run a beautiful play, it couldn’t be run better, and he somehow blocks the shot and they’re going the other way,” Michigan coach John Beilein said. “It can be very deflating. There’s going to be those moments. We’ve got to fight through those. That’s the biggest impact.’’

The offense Beilein brought from West Virginia is based on guards protecting the ball, penetrating off the dribble and making good decisions in the paint. Can Michigan (28-7) make good decisions with Withey blocking the ball back down its throat?

“[The key is] Jeff Withey,” Michigan point guard Trey Burke said. “When we get into the paint, when you have a 7-footer there, you have to make the right decision or you’ll have a blocked shot. Our biggest area is just trying to make the right decision when we get to their frontcourt, just making the right play. Our offense will be successful as our decisions in the paint.”

No. 1 seed Kansas (31-5) will be even more successful if it can get McLemore back to his normal form. The 6-foot-5 skywalker is averaging just 6.5 points on combined 2-of-14 shooting in the Big Dance, 10 points below his season average.

But after watching a YouTube video with his highlight clips and quotes from Muhammad Ali, McLemore vowed not to over-think and just play.

“I was watching it and thinking, ‘I’ve got to get back to playing like that,’ ” McLemore said. “In the video I was having fun, just going out and playing with a free mind and just being me. I was thinking not to mess up and things like that, which I shouldn’t be doing. I’ve got to go out and play my game.’’