Chicago – The battle of college basketball’s bluebloods became a shooting gallery for Kansas on Sunday.
The No. 1-seeded Jayhawks hit 56.6 percent from the field and coasted by eighth-seeded Kentucky 88-76 at the United Center, causing defeated Wildcats coach Tubby Smith to nod his head in admiration and predict big things for KU.
Kansas advanced to a Sweet 16 game Thursday against fourth-seeded Southern Illinois in the West Regional in San Jose, Calif. The Jayhawks (32-4) could be headed toward a regional final showdown with No. 2- seeded UCLA.
“They’re right up there,” said Smith, when asked about Kansas’ chances of reaching the Final Four. “There’s no real weaknesses.”
A breakaway dunk by Mario Chalmers made it 21-19 and put the Jayhawks ahead to stay with 7:22 remaining in the first half. But it was the outside of the Jayhawks that proved lethal.
Brandon Rush buried 6-of-7 shots beyond the 3- point line and scored 19 points. Chalmers hit three 3-pointers and finished with 16 points, while Chicago native Julian Wright, a 6-foot-8 forward equally comfortable roaming inside or out, led Kansas with 21 points by scoring from almost everywhere.
Chalmers, Rush and Wright were freshmen last year when Kansas lost to Bradley and failed to make it out of the first round.
“Our sophomores really played great,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “Brandon is a great shooter, but I don’t think he has had a game where he has been on a roll like he was today.”
Although Kentucky (22-12) got 22 points from 6-11 junior Randolph Morris and 21 from 6-8 senior forward Bobby Perry, the Wildcats shot just 41.4 percent. Rebounding was about the only thing that disappointed KU coaches and players. And Kentucky’s edge was only by a 32-30 margin.
“I think right now we’re putting everything together,” said KU freshman guard Sherron Collins, who was playing a year ago at this time for Chicago’s Crane Tech Prep.
Concerning the speculation about his job security, Kentucky’s Smith said he will meet with athletic director Mitch Barnhart, as he does after every season. The Wildcats also lost in the second round of last year’s NCAA Tournament.
“Everyone is evaluated at the end of the year,” Smith said. “I expect to be back. Let’s put it that way.”
