On Saturday, the Kansas men’s basketball team faced off against the Arkansas Razorbacks in a round of 32 matchup in the NCAA tournament. The defending national champion, Kansas, entered the game as the 1-seed, having defeated Howard in the first round, while Arkansas, the 8-seed, had defeated Illinois to advance. The game was a close battle, with both teams competing for a chance to reach the Sweet 16.
The game was back-and-forth throughout, with Kansas holding a slim lead with just over three minutes remaining. However, Arkansas went on an 11-0 run to take control of the game, and Kansas was unable to come back, losing to the Razorbacks. The defeat marks the end of the Jayhawks’ season.
Throughout the game, Kansas faced several challenges, including foul trouble for key players like Kevin McCullar Jr. and KJ Adams Jr. Meanwhile, Arkansas struggled with poor 3-point shooting, but improved their ball movement and shot selection in the second half to make a comeback.
Despite the loss, Kansas guard Dajuan Harris Jr. had an impressive performance, with eight points, five assists, and three rebounds. The Razorbacks’ Davonte Davis led all scorers with 14 points.
Officiating was a point of contention throughout the game, with Arkansas coach Eric Musselman expressing frustration with the officials. The statuses of Arkansas guards Nick Smith Jr. and Anthony Black were also a concern, with Smith picking up two fouls and Black leaving the game due to injury.
Overall, the game was a hard-fought battle between two talented teams, with Arkansas ultimately coming out on top and advancing to the Sweet 16.