The reigning NCAA champions are officially eliminated, as the No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks were upset by the No. 8 seed Arkansas Razorbacks.
Last year, the Kansas Jayhawks won their fourth NCAA championship after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels. They entered the 2023 NCAA Tournament looking to defend their title. They were able to defeat the No. 16 Howard Bison in the first round, and favored to go deep in the tourney.
Then, they faced off against the No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks.
On Saturday, the Jayhawks were stunned by the Razorbacks in a 72-71 loss to get eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
Kansas held a 35-27 lead at halftime, and couldn’t maintain the momentum in the second half.
They are now the second No. 1 seed to get eliminated from this year’s tourney. The first was the No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers, who were stunned by No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson Knights.
(8) ARKANSAS TAKES DOWN (1) KANSAS 😳
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2023
The Razorbacks eliminate the defending champions with a 72-71 win to advance to the Sweet 16! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/AdXygZIH8P
Twitter reacts to Kansas stunning elimination by Arkansas from NCAA Tournament
Let’s take a look at some of the reactions from the Jayhawks getting sent home earlier than many had expected.
Arkansas on its way to the Sweet 16 like pic.twitter.com/8VqvgRBqzm
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 18, 2023
This was Arkansas' second straight win over a 1-seed.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 18, 2023
They were 0-10 prior to last year's victory over Gonzaga pic.twitter.com/yIbJl16NhI
No Kansas, no Duke, no North Carolina, no Villanova.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 18, 2023
Plenty of new blood in the Sweet 16 this year.
Kansas had the Refs in their back pocket and still lost to Arkansas, pathetic. pic.twitter.com/BFf1919nuZ
— Big Game Boomer (@BigGameBoomer) March 18, 2023
LOOK AT @RazorbackMBB 🙌🐗
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 19, 2023
Arkansas pulls off the comeback to knock out 1-seed Kansas! pic.twitter.com/U3DXMQN45t
Arkansas knocks off No. 1 seed and defending national champion Kansas.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 18, 2023
Razorbacks advance to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive season.
Hell of a coaching job by Eric Musselman this season - managing a myriad of injuries.
WOO PIG!! SOMEBODY CALL THE HAWGS!! ARKANSAS IS HEADING TO THE SWEET 16 AFTER UPSETTING KANSAS!!! pic.twitter.com/v9wjSCnm2K
— The Sickos CBB Committee (@SickosCBB) March 18, 2023
The Kansas Jayhawks were 47-0 all time in the NCAA Tournament when leading by at least 8 points at halftime…
— SB Nation (@SBNation) March 18, 2023
Until they met the Arkansas Razorbacks today. pic.twitter.com/PRuUYg2aOP
Head coach Eric Musselman previously did not have much luck against No. 1 seeds, going 0-10. He has now gone 2-0 since, as they defeated the No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs in last year’s tournament in the Sweet 16 round, and now the defending champions in the Round of 32.
Musselman celebrated by ripping off his shirt and standing on the bench to hype up the Razorbacks fans in attendance at Wells Fargo Arena.
Junior guard Davonte Davis led the way for Arkansas, scoring 25 points (9-for-15 from the field, 6-for-7 from the free throw line), hauling in eight rebounds, and recording one assist.
As for Kansas, junior forward Jalen Wilson led the way with 20 points (5-for-9 from the field, 9-for-11 from the free throw line). Wilson also recorded four rebounds and one assist.
The Razorbacks will now face the winner of the No. 4 UConn Huskies and No. 5 Saint Mary’s Gaels matchup, which takes place on Sunday, March 19 at 6:10 p.m. ET on TNT.
As for the Jayhawks, they now return home as the former NCAA champions.
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