Arkansas ousts defending champ, No. 1 seed Kansas from NCAA Tournament

Associated Press
Saturday, March 18, 2023 8:04 p.m. | Saturday, March 18, 2023 8:04 p.m.

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Nick Smith Jr. tries to get past Kansas’ Dajuan Harris Jr. during the second half Saturday.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Kansas’ national title defense ended in the second round of NCAA Tournament on Saturday when Arkansas’ Ricky Council IV made five free throws in the closing seconds and the eighth-seeded Razorbacks beat the No. 1 seed, Jayhawks 72-71.

Davonte Davis scored 25 points, and Council added 21 as Arkansas rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit. Kansas, playing without ailing coach Bill Self, became the second top seed not to escape the tournament’s first weekend after Purdue lost Friday night to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson.

Arkansas and coach Eric Musselman return to the Sweet 16 for the third straight year. The Razorbacks will play either Saint Mary’s or UConn in the West Region semifinals in Las Vegas on Thursday.

Musselman and his players rushed to a second of fans sitting courtside after the final buzzer. Musselman ripped his polo shirt off, waved it over his head and shouted with joy.