OMAHA — Good luck stopping Kansas.
The top-seeded Jayhawks can beat you on the inside with Darrell Arthur and Darnell Jackson. They can flip the ball to NBA-caliber Brandon Rush on the wing. They can kick it out to Mario Chalmers or send Russell Robinson darting through the lane.
“We have the talent to be as good a team as we’ve had,” coach Bill Self said, “or better.”
Capping off two days of blowouts in Omaha, Kansas pulled away from UNLV in the second half and romped to a 75-56 victory Saturday at the NCAA’s Midwest Regional, another emphatic team effort by a deep, talented group out to win the proud program’s first national title in 20 years.
Chalmers led the way with 17 points, but he had plenty of help. Robinson scored 13, Rush 12 and Sherron Collins 10. Defensively, they ganged up to hold UNLV to the worst shooting percentage by a Kansas opponent this season, 27 percent in a 12-of-45 brickfest.
“We have a nice blend of power, inside scoring, guys who can run, quickness on the perimeter to break you down, guys who can shoot off the kick-out,” Self said. “I do think we have a really good team. I won’t say it’s the best team we’ve had. I’ll wait and see how it plays out.”
So far, it’s playing out just fine. The Jayhawks advanced to the round of 16 for the sixth time in eight years, though they clearly have higher goals.
Wisconsin 72, Kansas State 55
Trevon Hughes matched his career high with 25 points, and the third-seeded Badgers shut down Wildcats freshman star Michael Beasley.
Beasley scored 23 points in what might have been his last college game, but he had only six after halftime.
The third-seeded Badgers (31-4), who set a school record for wins in a season, have won 12 straight games and 25 of their last 27.
