NCAA Match: Defending nationwide champion Kansas loses to Arkansas within the second spherical

Kansas’ nationwide title protection ended within the second spherical of the NCAA event Saturday when Arkansas’ Ricky Council IV made 5 free throws within the closing seconds and the eighth-seeded Razorbacks beat the top-seeded Jayhawks. sequence, 72-71.

Davonte Davis scored 25 factors and Council chipped in 21 as Arkansas rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit. Kansas, taking part in with out coach Invoice Self, turned the second prime seed to not escape the opening weekend of the event after Purdue misplaced Friday night time to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson.

Arkansas (22-13) and coach Eric Musselman return to the Candy 16 for the third straight yr. The Razorbacks will play both Saint Mary’s or Connecticut within the West Area semifinals on Thursday in Las Vegas.

Musselman and his gamers ran to a bunch of followers seated fieldside after the ultimate buzzer. The 58-year-old coach tore off his polo shirt, waved it over his head and whooped with pleasure.

Self has been with the Jayhawks (28-8) since they arrived in Des Moines and has attended practices and conferences however nonetheless doesn’t really feel nicely sufficient to educate for a sport after present process a coronary heart process March 8 to clear clogged arteries

Longtime assistant Norm Roberts was interim coach for the fifth straight sport in Self’s absence.

Kansas, in search of to develop into the primary repeat nationwide champion since Florida in 2006-07, led 35-27 at halftime and misplaced for the primary time in 27 video games getting into the second half with a lead. The Jayhawks have been 47-0 within the NCAA event when main by eight factors or extra on the half.

Davis scored 21 of his factors within the second half. He fouled out with 1:56 left, handing issues over to veteran Consejo, a switch from Wichita State who scored 9 of the Razorbacks’ final 11 factors.

Council’s free throw put Arkansas forward to remain, 68-67, with 24 seconds remaining. He then recovered his personal missed second free throw and made two extra free throws to offer the Razorbacks a three-point lead.

The groups traded free throws, and Arkansas despatched Kansas’ Jalen Wilson to the road with three seconds remaining to stop a possible tying 3-pointer. Wilson hit the primary free throw and appeared to deliberately attempt to miss the second, however he hit the glass arduous and Kansas by no means regained possession.

Wilson led the Jayhawks with 20 factors.

Arkansas was taking part in a No. 1 seed for the third yr in a row. Final yr, the Razorbacks knocked out Gonzaga en path to their second straight Elite Eight.

Arkansas, who beat Illinois within the first spherical, was thought of a scary matchup for the Jayhawks with their explosive transition sport and talent to play protection.

However the circumstances have been lower than perfect for the Razorbacks. Guard Anthony Black pinched a nagging ankle damage early and went to the dugout for bandages and footwear, and fellow capturing guard and excessive projected first-round NBA draft choose Nick Smith Jr. he made two fast fouls and was restricted to 10 minutes and no factors within the first half. Additionally, huge man Kamani Johnson was sick and was taking part in with a sore toe.

The Razorbacks have been too desirous to hit 3-pointers early. They missed eight of 9 within the first half and couldn’t get their working sport going.

Kansas gave the impression to be in full management from the beginning. The Jayhawks roused their followers from their seats with a sequence of electrical performs that included Gradey Dick’s dunk on Dajuan Harris’ fast-break steal, Wilson’s contested inside basket on a one-and-one, and his primal yell directed on the Jayhawks followers. Arkansas, and Joseph Yesufu. brand excessive arc three level shot to beat the shot clock.