Arkansas took a thrilling 79-72 victory over Kansas in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Jonas Aidoo led the charge with 22 points, supporting coach John Calipari in his first tournament win with the Razorbacks. Johnell Davis contributed 18 points, including key free throws down the stretch. Freshman Boogie Fland also returned to the court after thumb surgery, adding six points in 24 minutes.
The Jayhawks, despite the loss, showed resilience. They battled back from an 11-point deficit and briefly took the lead thanks to Zeke Mayo’s 18 points. Kansas, which has made the NCAA tournament for 35 straight years, had not lost in the first round since 2006. AJ Storr scored 15 points, while Hunter Dickinson added 11 points along with nine rebounds.
Historically, this matchup highlighted the rivalry between two of college basketball’s coaching giants. Bill Self from Kansas and Calipari have a history of facing off, including two previous encounters in national championship games. In this game, Kansas advanced by 64-63 before Aidoo’s free throws swung momentum back to Arkansas.
As the game neared its end, Arkansas maintained its composure. Even as Kansas trimmed the lead to 75-72 with a last-minute three-pointer from Rylan Griffen, Davis sank two critical free throws to seal the victory.
Looking ahead, Arkansas could meet Rick Pitino of St. John’s in the second round. Pitino, an active coaching legend, has more wins than any other current coach. This potential matchup adds another layer of excitement, reminiscent of the fierce rivalry when Calipari was at Kentucky and Pitino was at Louisville.
This victory marks Arkansas’s first tournament win since their Sweet 16 appearance in 2023 under former coach Eric Musselman. Meanwhile, Kansas’s first-round record now stands at 47-6, highlighting their dominance in opening rounds over the years.
For more insights on March Madness, you can check out the official NCAA bracket.
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