The 2nd No. 1 seed within the NCAA Males’s Event misplaced to the Candy 16.
No. 8 Arkansas knocked out No. 1 Kansas 72–71 due to an brisk surge within the second half and late free throws from Ricky Council IV.
Midway by way of the second half, the Razorbacks have been 10 factors behind. The 11-0 sequence gave them a 52-51 lead due to a Jordan Walsh three-pointer with 8:55 left.
The lead wavered backwards and forwards till Jalen Wilson equalized with 39 seconds left on two free throws.
The Council then drove as much as the basket, however Kevin McCallar Jr. stopped it. A blocking foul was referred to as. The Council will make the primary of two makes an attempt. His second shot missed, however he acquired an offensive rebound and was fouled on a shot try. The Council then hit two free throws and Arkansas went up three.
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“Yeah, clearly I didn’t wish to miss,” Cowsil mentioned. “I believe Jordan rushed, acquired a tip and I keep in mind she knowledgeable Jalen Wilson and she or he got here straight to me and I assumed both I can assault that as a result of I used to be actually on the free throw line after I acquired it both I I might pull it out. I simply determined to assault. I knew that at worst I might in all probability foul. I did each of them, so I believe there have been 3 after that.”
Wilson added two free throws for Kansas on his subsequent journey. The Jayhawks then fouled Council, who scored two extra free throws.
Arkansas fouled Wilson on subsequent possession with three seconds left. Wilson made two free throws and Kansas didn’t foul earlier than time expired.
It is the Candy 16’s third straight look for Arkansas, who eradicated #1 seed Gonzaga in final 12 months’s event.
“This season has been the hardest, ups and downs I’ve ever been in,” Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman mentioned. “For these guys to be rewarded for sticking with it and having the ability to go to Las Vegas and solely compete with 16 groups, it is actually exhausting to make this event. It is extremely troublesome to win a recreation on this event. It’s extremely troublesome to beat the reigning No. 1 seeded champions. We did it, we’re pleased with ourselves.”
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Davonte Davis led the Razorbacks with 25 factors, 21 of which got here within the second half earlier than the foul. Council completed with 21 factors. Wilson was Kansas’ high scorer with 20 factors. The loss to the Candy 16 was a disappointing finish for the Jayhawks after profitable the nationwide championship final season and the Massive 12 common season this 12 months.
They performed with out coach Invoice Self, who missed the Massive 12 and the primary two video games of the NCAA event after being hospitalized for coronary heart surgical procedure final week.
“It was a tricky recreation, it’s important to give credit score to Arkansas,” mentioned Norm Roberts, who changed Self. “They did an amazing job within the second half attacking us. Davis performed unusually, actually hit numerous pictures, however we knew he was good at it, after which he harm us loads on the glass. We had a number of rebounds. we must always have gotten them, we did not get them, however give them credit score.”
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