FINAL FOUR PREVIEW: March 27
Midwest No. 1 seed KANSAS vs. East No. 1 seed MARYLAND | Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Oklahoma-Indiana preview

The second national semifinal on Saturday pitting Kansas against Maryland should be like the Thrilla in Manilla, that renowned Ali-Frazier prizefight. Keep an eye on the action in the paint. The three-second area should impact on this contest big time, baby!

Foul shooting could be a key factor. The big men who draw fouls will have to convert from the stripe, because this figures to be a nail-biter.

Regarding the battle in the lane, it will be interesting to see Drew Gooden and Nick Collison of Kansas go at it against Lonny Baxter and Chris Wilcox of Maryland.

When the Jayhawks need a little help inside, coach Roy Williams goes to his bench and brings in a real force, diaper dandy Wayne Simien.

Maryland coach Gary Williams counters with two big men off his bench, Tahj Holden and Ryan Randle. Remember, Holden also likes to step out and shoot from long range, as he did at the end of the first half against Connecticut when he hit a deep 3-pointer.

Kansas needs a consistent performance from Collison, who didn't shoot well in the first-round win over Holy Cross (2-of-6) or the Sweet 16 victory over Illinois (5-of-12). He was dynamite against Oregon with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Gooden has been the double-double man all season long (25 double-doubles).

It's going to be a war in the low post, and the strong will survive. It could come down to which team stays out of foul trouble. These teams will also need help from the perimeter. The club that has success from long range and knocks down trifectas will have an edge, because the defenses will have to extend on the outside shooters. That will open up the interior passing lanes.

This will be one classic confrontation, with the coaches maneuvering and dueling on the sidelines. It's going to be intense inside, and the three-second lane will be the deciding battleground. These are two of the best frontcourts in the nation.

Foul shooting also could be a key factor. Remember how important it was for Maryland against Connecticut, as Baxter hit 15-of-18 from the foul line. The big men who draw fouls will have to convert from the stripe, because this figures to be a nail-biter, a real Maalox Masher. It could go down to the wire, baby! The inside play should be special.