More mayhem in March Madness! No. 1 Kansas FALLS landed in an upset 72-71 against eight-seed Arkansas … and became the second top team to fall in 24 hours as the Razorbacks advanced into the Sweet 16
The second one-seed in the country fell in 24 hours as Kansas were shocked by Arkansas 72-71 on Saturday night.
Four players for the Jayhawks were in double figures, led by Jalen Wilson’s 16 points and four rebounds.
Vomte Davis led the way for the University of Arkansas — with 25 points, seven rebounds and one assist.
The loss for Kansas continues the NCAA’s drought of back-to-back champions — with the University of Florida Gators being the last team to accomplish the feat in 2006 and 2007.
Arkansas, No. 8, shocked Kansas, No. 1, and made the Sweet 16 of March Madness
Vomte Davis led the Arkansas Razorbacks with 25 points and seven rebounds
Kansas, playing without ailing coach Bill Self, became the second top seed not to escape the first weekend of the tournament after Purdue lost to No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday night.
Self has spent the last few days recovering from a procedure after complaining of chest tightness.
He missed some of the team’s games in the Big 12 tournament and their first round match of the Big Dance against Howard.
Arkansas (22-13) and coach Eric Musselman return to the Sweet 16 for the third year in a row. The Razorbacks play either Saint Mary’s or UConn in the West Region Semifinals on Thursday in Las Vegas.
Musselman and his players rushed to a group of fans seated on the sidelines after the final buzzer. The 58-year-old coach ripped off his polo shirt, waved it over his head and cheered with delight.
Self has been with the Jayhawks (28-8) since arriving in Des Moines and has attended practice sessions and meetings, but he still doesn’t feel well enough to coach a game after undergoing heart surgery on March 8 has to clear clogged arteries.
Longtime assistant Norm Roberts was acting coach in Self’s absence for the fifth straight season.
Davis scored 21 of his points in the second half. He fouled with 1:56 left and turned the matter over to the Veteran Council, a Wichita State transfer that scored nine of the Razorbacks’ last 11 points.
Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman removed his jersey in celebration as his team advanced
The Council free throw gave Arkansas a 68-67 lead with 24 seconds left. He then rebounded his own miss of the second free throw and made two more to give the Razorbacks a three-point lead.
The teams traded free throws, and Arkansas sent Kansas’ Jalen Wilson down the line with three seconds left to prevent a potential three-pointer. Wilson made the first free throw and appeared to be trying to miss the second on purpose, but he tipped hard off the glass and into it, and Kansas never regained possession.
Wilson led the Jayhawks by 20 points.
Arkansas played at No. 1 for the third straight year. Last year, the Razorbacks beat Gonzaga en route to their second straight Elite Eight.
Arkansas, who defeated Illinois in the first round, was considered a scary matchup for the Jayhawks with their explosive transition play and ability to play lockdown defense.
Joy for the Razorbacks means Jayhawk heartbreak while Arkansas stays alive and kicks
But circumstances were far from ideal for the Razorbacks. Guard Anthony Black picked up a nagging ankle injury early on and went to the bench for re-taping and a boot change.
Nick Smith Jr., fellow guard and projected high NBA first-round draft pick, caught two quick fouls and was limited to 10 minutes and no points in the first half. Big man Kamani Johnson was also sick and playing with a sore toe.
The Razorbacks were too eager to shoot 3-pointers early. They missed 8 of 9 in the first half and couldn’t get their running game going.
Kansas looked in full control early on. The Jayhawks wowed their fans with a series of electro pieces, including Gradey Dick’s fast-break dunk from Dajuan Harris’ steal, Wilson’s contested inner basket on one and one and his primal scream aimed at Arkansas fans, and Joseph Yesufus arched 3 from the logo to hit the shot clock.