Arkansas Upsets No. 1 Seed Kansas in NCAA Tournament Second Round
No. 8 seed Arkansas pulled off a stunning upset over No. 1 seed Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, ending the Jayhawks’ title defense with a 72-71 victory.[0] The Razorbacks, led by Davonte Davis and Ricky Council IV, trailed by double digits in the second half and were down eight at the half. However, Arkansas rallied late and took the lead on a Kamani Johnson layup with just under a minute to play.
The Razorbacks weathered an 11-0 run by Kansas in the second half, eventually taking the lead on a three-pointer by Jordan Walsh with 8:55 left in the game. Kansas was able to even the score on two Jalen Wilson free throws, but Arkansas held on for the win.[1]
Davis scored a game-high 25 points for Arkansas, while Council added 21.[2] The Razorbacks also had an advantage on the glass, outrebounding Kansas 36-29. Arkansas had 15 offensive rebounds for 15 second chance points, while the Jayhawks had seven offensive rebounds and just two second chance points.[3]
Interim Kansas coach Norm Roberts credited the Razorbacks for their performance.[4] “It was a tough game, give Arkansas a lot of credit,” Roberts said. “They did a great job in the second half attacking us.”[5]
The win makes it the first time in Ivy League history that a men’s and women’s basketball team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.[6] Arkansas advances to the school’s third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance.[7]
0. “March Madness 2023: How Arkansas' persistence, poise led to the demise of defending champion Kansas” CBS Sports, 19 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-2023-how-arkansas-persistence-poise-led-to-the-demise-of-defending-champion-kansas
1. “March Madness: Another No.1 seed falls as Kansas upset by No.8 seed Arkansas” CNN, 19 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/19/sport/kansas-arkansas-march-madness-spt-intl/index.html
2. “Arkansas overcomes double-digit deficit, eliminates Jayhawks from NCAA Tournament” KMBC Kansas City, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.kmbc.com/article/arkansas-overcomes-double-digit-deficit-eliminates-jayhawks-from-ncaa-tournament/43356324
3. “Jayhawks can’t overcome frontcourt foul trouble in Round of 32 loss to Razorbacks” KUsports, 19 Mar. 2023, https://www2.kusports.com/sports/college/basketball-men/2023/mar/18/jayhawks-cant-overcome-frontcourt-foul-trouble-in-round-of-32-loss-to-razorbacks/
4. “Hines: Arkansas has the look of the real deal in Des Moines” Des Moines Register, 19 Mar. 2023, https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/2023/03/18/arkansas-mens-basketball-kansas-jayhawks-march-madness-musselman-shirt-score-ncaa-tournament/70025040007
5. “Arkansas upsets No. 1 Kansas in second round of March Madness” USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2023/03/18/arkansas-upsets-no-1-kansas-second-round-march-madness/11502052002/
6. “NCAA men's tournament winners, losers: Tennessee, Arkansas, Kansas” USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2023/03/18/ncaa-mens-tournament-winners-losers-kansas-duke-arkansas-tennessee/11502749002/
7. “15-seed Princeton will continue its March Madness Cinderella run, advances to Sweet 16” CNN, 19 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/18/sport/princeton-missouri-ncaa-march-madness-basketball/index.html
