Dallas – For only the third time in its 10-year history, the Big 12 Tournament set up a championship showdown between the top seeds.
Second-seeded Kansas did its part Saturday in the second semifinal, disposing of sixth-seeded Nebraska 79-65 at the American Airlines Center. The Jayhawks (24-7) will tip off against top-seeded Texas (27-5) at 1 p.m. today.
Kansas never trailed after a 3-pointer by freshman Brandon Rush made it 16-13 with 9:56 left in the first half.
Kansas will look to avenge an 80-55 loss at Texas on Feb. 25. Texas and Kansas shared the Big 12 regular-season championship.
The top seeds also advanced to the tournament title game in 2002 and 2004.
“It’s great that Texas and us get to play one more time,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “They certainly whipped us the first time. No excuses.”
Kansas got 18 points from freshman guard Mario Chalmers and 13 apiece from sophomores Russell Robinson and Darnell Jackson. Jackson also snagged 10 rebounds.
The Jayhawks will be looking to win their first tournament title since claiming the first three. Texas never has won a Big 12 Tournament, finishing as runner-up in 2001 and 2004.
The top seven scorers for Kansas are freshmen or sophomores, and they suffered a case of stage fright in Austin, Texas, last month.
“I was scared because it was a big game; I had the jitters,” Jackson recalled. “I think it could be a lot different (this time).”
Kansas’ pressure defense limited Nebraska (19-13) to 37.5 percent shooting in what could be the final Big 12 game for coach Barry Collier, who is 89-90 in six seasons. Nebraska athletic director Steve Pederson told reporters he would discuss the future with Collier after they return to Lincoln.
NEBRASKA (19-13)
Dourisseau 5-9 5-6 16, Richardson Jr. 1-3 2-2 4, Wilkinson 4-10 4-4 15, Maric 3-9 6-8 12, White 1-8 0-0 2, Perry 4-7 0-0 10, M. Walker 3-7 0-1 6, Schliep 0-1 0-0 0, Wilbrand 0-1 0-0 0, Marks 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 21-56 17-21 65.
KANSAS (24-7)
Robinson 5-9 3-4 13, Chalmers 6-10 4-5 18, Kaun 2-7 2-3 6, Rush 3-8 1-2 9, Wright 3-5 1-2 7, Hawkins 4-7 0-0 11, Stewart 0-1 0-0 0, Case 0-0 0-0 0, Vinson 0-0 0-0 0, Jackson 6-9 1-1 13, Giles 1-2 0-0 2, Moody 0-0 0-1 0, Kleinmann 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-58 12-18 79.
Halftime – Kansas 38-26. 3-point goals – Nebraska 6-22 (Wilkinson 3-8, Perry 2-4, Dourisseau 1-2, Richardson Jr. 0-2, M. Walker 0-3, White 0-3); Kansas 7-19 (Hawkins 3-6, Chalmers 2-5, Rush 2-6, Robinson 0-2). Fouled out – Maric, Wilkinson. Rebounds – Nebraska 30 (Dourisseau 5, Wilkinson 5), Kansas 38 (Jackson 10). Assists – Nebraska 15 (White 5), Kansas 21 (Robinson 8). Total fouls – Nebraska 18, Kansas 22.
A – 18,999.
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
