Quick Recap: Kansas falls to Arkansas in the Round of 32

Sports

Kansas forward Jalen Wilson (10) defends against a shot by Arkansas guard Ricky Council IV (1) during the first half on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo by Nick Krug

The Kansas Jayhawks will not defend their national title.

Kansas led by as much as 12 points with 15 minutes left and lost to Arkansas 72-71 in Saturday’s round of 16 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. A defending champion has yet to make it to the second weekend since 2016.

In a referee-dominated game, it was fitting that this disappointing finish was decided at the free-throw line. Arkansas guard Ricky Council IV went to the line on a blocking foul by Kevin McCullar Jr., who fouled with 23 seconds left. Council connected on the free throw to give the Razorbacks a 68-67 advantage.

But he missed the second.

Joseph Yesufu, who came on for McCullar, caught part of the ball on the rebound before running away. The council ended with that, pulling another opportunity to get to the charity strip. This time he made two more free throws and the Razorbacks’ victory was never in doubt.

Jalen Wilson accidentally took the last free throw while attempting to miss on purpose to end the game.

Arkansas had fouled two players prior to last buzzer. Kansas only had one player fouled, but every member of the frontcourt struggled with foul problems throughout the game. In the end, it helped seal KU’s fate.

Wilson led the Jayhawks with 20 points in 5-of-9 shooting. KJ Adams Jr. finished with 14, McCullar registered 12 and Dajuan Harris Jr. delivered 12.

Arkansas is now heading to Las Vegas for the Sweet 16.

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Written by Shane Jackson

Shane is a sportswriter for Lawrence Journal-World and KUsports.com and one of the hardest working people we have on the team. After working part-time for Journal-World during his college years at KU, Jackson returned to the paper after covering prep sports and K-State for the Manhattan Mercury. In addition to helping with all of our KU coverage, Jackson has complete control over our coverage of the high school sports scene in and around Lawrence, writing stories and covering games, organizing freelance writers and photographers, and following the schedule of dozens of prep teams in the area. A former 8-man soccer star in small-town Kansas, Jackson has a genuine appreciation for all high school athletes and enjoys telling their stories, from the star of the team to the lesser-heralded players who live out of the limelight. A die-hard Baltimore Ravens fan, Jackson lives in Lawrence and plays golf whenever he can.

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