Jackson sees slowing Hansbrough as a challenge

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) - Kansas forward Darnell Jackson knows the way to stop North Carolina is by stopping their All-America center Tyler Hansbrough.

The problem is that few can do it.

"They throw the ball down to Hansbrough a lot and even if he's double teamed, he throws the ball up somehow and gets guys in foul trouble so he can get points," Jackson told reporters on Friday. "Our biggest job ...is to try and contain him down low.

"We know he's going to score because he's a great offensive scorer. We just have to do a great job on him and make him earn his points."

Kansas (35-3), seeking their first title since 1988, will face the Tar Heels on Saturday at the Alamodome in the national semi-finals, while Memphis takes on UCLA.

The Final Four will feature the top four seeds from their respective regions for the first time since seedings were introduced in 1979.

Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9 junior, averages 22.8 points and 10.3 rebounds for the 36-2 Tar Heels, the tournament's number one seed and Jackson said it would be a big challenge playing him.

"You can't really do anything about keeping him from scoring because he is a big part of North Carolina's offense.

"He does so much for his team -- rebounding, taking charges, getting steals and extra possessions -- so our bigs have to make sure they keep up with his momentum and energy that he brings to the court.

"You just have to play principles. You have to know what he likes to do on the court and play him. I think all our bigs are looking forward to the challenge."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)