Defense wins championships. Just ask Anthony Davis, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2012 NCAA Tournament despite scoring just six points in Kentucky’s 67-59 win over Kansas.
2012 NCAA Tournament: Kentucky’s Anthony Davis Named Most Outstanding Player
He didn’t score his first point until five minutes after halftime -- and he didn’t hit his first field goal until six minutes were left in the game -- but the long-limbed freshman was still the most dominant player on the court.
By halftime, Davis set the NCAA record for the most blocks in a season by a freshman, and by the end of the game he tied Joakim Noah’s record with six blocks in a championship game. He also grabbed 16 rebounds, recorded three steals and handed out five assists.
Davis controlled the paint in every way imaginable, intimidating Kansas with a volleyball spike one moment, deftly tipping the ball back to himself the next. Just watch him erase Thomas Robinson's attempt to the right -- that's shades of Bill Russell.
This game was likely Davis’ last for the Wildcats. John Calipari admitted back in November that Davis was a lock to be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft -- and that’s even more obvious after Monday’s game.
For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more on the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more updates on tonight’s championship game throughout the day, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.
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